History of vegetarianism
Pārśvanātha founded Jain vegetarianism in the 9th century BCE, establishing what historians consider the strictest and most comprehensive form of meat abstinence. This practice emerged alongside Buddhism during the 6th century BCE as a core principle of nonviolence toward all living beings. The concept of ahimsa became central to both religions, mandating that followers avoid harming animals through their diet. Lord Parshvanath preached this nonviolence no less strictly than it was practiced by his community during the times of Mahavira. Later records indicate that small groups within ancient Greek civilizations also adopted similar dietary habits connected with the idea of nonviolence. In India, the earliest reliable evidence for such theory dates back to these early centuries. The Jain concept may be even older than the 6th century BCE timeline suggests. Tirukkural, dated to the late 5th century CE, contains chapters on veganism or moral vegetarianism emphasizing unambiguously on non-animal diet. Chapter 26 focuses on non-harming while Chapter 33 addresses non-killing. Not everyone who refused to participate in any killing or injuring of animals abstained from consuming meat. Hence the question of Buddhist vegetarianism in the earliest stages remains controversial among scholars. One school argues Buddha ate meat offered by hosts if they suspected no slaughter occurred specifically for them. Another claims the Buddha and his sangha were strict vegetarians from the start.
The Greek philosopher Pythagoras lived between 570 and 495 BCE and is said to have advocated vegetarianism though he likely only prohibited certain kinds of meat. Later Pythagoreans did practice various forms of vegetarianism as a deliberate way of life. Eudoxus of Cnidus wrote that Pythagoras avoided killing and killers so strictly that he kept distance from cooks and hunters. Behind this rejection lay ethical considerations regarding animal sentience. He believed animals possess both intelligence and passion making their mistreatment unethical. The Orphics spread through Greece at that time may have practiced vegetarianism as well. In the 5th century BCE Empedocles distinguished himself as a radical advocate of vegetarianism specifically and respect for animals generally. A fictionalized portrayal appears in Book XV of Ovid's Metamorphoses where he advocates strict vegetarianism. This portrayal made Pythagoras best known to English-speakers throughout the early modern period before coinage of the word vegetarianism. Vegetarianism was usually part and parcel of religious convictions connected with transmigration of the soul. There existed a widely held belief popular among both vegetarians and non-vegetators that mankind was strictly non-violent during the Golden Age. Hunting livestock breeding and meat-eating were unknown then as earth spontaneously produced all food needed. Almost all Stoics were emphatically anti-vegetarian except Seneca who insisted on absence of reason in brutes leading them to conclude no ethical obligations exist toward irrational animals. Porphyry wrote On Abstinence from Eating Animals becoming one of first to state animal life equals human life.
Following Christianization of Roman Empire between late 4th and 6th centuries CE, vegetarianism nearly disappeared from Europe entirely. Several orders of monks restricted or banned consumption of meat for ascetic reasons but none abstained from eating fish. These monks were not true vegetarians though some became pescetarians. The most prominent figure was St Jerome who died in 419 and served as model for later generations. Rule of St Benedict allowed Benedictines to eat fish and fowl while forbidding quadruped meat unless ill. Many other rules contained similar restrictions yet fish never prohibited since Jesus himself ate fish according to Luke. William of Malmesbury writes Bishop Wulfstan of Worcester decided adhere to strict vegetarian diet simply because he found difficult resist smell roasted goose. Saint Genevieve patron saint Paris observed vegetarian diet as act physical austerity rather out concern animals. Medieval hermits at least those portrayed literature may have been vegetarians for similar reasons. John Passmore claimed no surviving textual evidence ethically motivated vegetarianism ancient medieval Catholicism Eastern Churches. Most influential theologians Augustine Thomas Aquinas emphasized man owes duties animals. Francis Assisi described animal beings mystic language contemporary sources claim practiced advocated vegetarianism. Ancient intellectual dissidents Encratites Ebionites Eustathians followed fourth century monk Eustathius Antioch considered abstention essential part asceticism. Medieval Paulician Adoptionists Bogomils Thrace Bulgaria Christian dualist Cathars despised consumption meat.
Leonardo da Vinci lived between 1452 and 1519 among first celebrities European Renaissance era support vegetarianism. Pierre Gassendi lived from 1592 to 1655 also supported the cause. In 17th century English writer Thomas Tryon published The Way to Health Long Life Happiness in 1683 becoming paramount theorist meatless or Pythagorean diet. Subsequently Romantic poets advocated vegetarianism enthusiastically. In 1699 John Evelyn published Acetaria Discourse Sallets as vegetarian treatise cookbook. Scottish physician George Cheyne authored An Essay Health Long Life first published 1724. Italian physician Antonio Cocchi wrote Del vitto pitagorico per uso della medicina in 1743 translated Robert Dodsley into English as Pythagorean Diet Vegetables Only Conducive Preservation Health Cure Diseases 1745. Anonymous Primitive Cookery second edition published 1767 advocated affordable lacto-vegetarian meals though some recipes contain meat. René Descartes lived 1596 to 1650 held opinion no ethical duties whatsoever toward animals exist. Immanuel Kant born 1724 died 1804 shared view though observed cruel treatment animals makes man hard dealings men. By end 18th century England claim animals made only man's use still advanced but no longer carried general assent. Very soon it would disappear altogether completely.
International Vegetarian Union founded Dresden 1908 uniting national societies globally. German Vegetarierbund Deutschland established Nordhausen 1867 second-oldest vegetarian organization world. Henry Stephens Salt lived 1851 to 1939 George Bernard Shaw lived 1856 to 1950 famous vegetarian activists. Physician J.L. Buttner authored Fleshless Diet 1910 arguing meat dangerous unnecessary. Cranks opened Carnaby Street London 1961 first successful vegetarian restaurant UK eventually five locations closed 2001. Indian concept nonviolence growing impact Western world Mahatma Gandhi strong uncompromising advocate contributed popularization Western countries. Study Far-Eastern religious philosophical concepts nonviolence instrumental shaping Albert Schweitzer principle reverence life still today common argument discussions ethical aspects diet. Schweitzer started practice vegetarianism shortly before death Singer-songwriter Morrissey discussed idea Meat is Murder song album widespread fame cult status contributed popularity meat-free lifestyles. August 1944 British Vegetarian Society members asked section newsletter devoted non-dairy vegetarianism request turned down Donald Watson secretary Leicester branch set up new quarterly newsletter November 1944 called Vegan News. Dorothy Morgan Donald Watson co-founders Vegan Society chose word vegan based first three last two letters vegetarian marking beginning end vegetarian. Today Indian vegetarians primarily lacto-vegetarians estimated make more than 70 percent world's vegetarians population India 20, 42 percent while less than 30 percent regular meat-eaters. Surveys U.S found roughly 6% adults never eat meat poultry fish defined vegetarian includes vegans about half those 3% population never eating meat poultry fish dairy eggs defined vegan.
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Common questions
When did Pārśvanātha found Jain vegetarianism?
Pārśvanātha founded Jain vegetarianism in the 9th century BCE. This practice emerged alongside Buddhism during the 6th century BCE as a core principle of nonviolence toward all living beings.
What dates define the life of Pythagoras and his stance on meat?
Pythagoras lived between 570 and 495 BCE and is said to have advocated vegetarianism though he likely only prohibited certain kinds of meat. Later Pythagoreans did practice various forms of vegetarianism as a deliberate way of life.
Who was the most prominent figure among medieval monks who restricted meat consumption?
The most prominent figure was St Jerome who died in 419 and served as model for later generations. Rule of St Benedict allowed Benedictines to eat fish and fowl while forbidding quadruped meat unless ill.
Which year saw the establishment of the first Vegetarian Society in England?
First Vegetarian Society modern western world established England 1847 conference Ramsgate attended 140 participants. Group grew 889 members by 1853 attracting almost 4,000 members end century alone year group grew 265 members ranging ages 14 to 76.
When was the Vegan Society founded and what word origin does it use?
Donald Watson secretary Leicester branch set up new quarterly newsletter November 1944 called Vegan News. Dorothy Morgan Donald Watson co-founders Vegan Society chose word vegan based first three last two letters vegetarian marking beginning end vegetarian.