Understanding What Culture Does Not Eat Meat: A Global Perspective

December 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, India has one of the lowest rates of meat consumption globally, highlighting a widespread practice of not eating meat due to religious and cultural influences. This article explores some of the most prominent cultures and faith-based groups that observe vegetarianism or veganism, shedding light on their motivations and specific dietary practices.

Quick Summary

This article examines various cultures and major religious traditions like Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism that follow vegetarian or plant-based diets for moral, spiritual, or ethical reasons.

Key Points

Jainism is Strictly Vegetarian: All followers of Jainism are required to be vegetarian, with many also being vegan, due to the core principle of non-violence (ahimsa).
Hinduism's Widespread Vegetarianism: Many, though not all, Hindus practice lacto-vegetarianism, especially in northern and western India, driven by the principle of non-violence and respect for animals like the sacred cow.
Buddhism's Contextual Approach: Dietary rules in Buddhism vary by school and region; while some traditions, particularly Mahayana monastics, practice vegetarianism, Theravada monks can accept meat given as alms.
Rastafarianism's 'I-tal' Diet: This dietary philosophy emphasizes natural, unprocessed foods, leading many Rastafarians to be vegetarian or vegan, with pork consumption almost always forbidden.
Orthodox Christian Fasting Periods: Some Orthodox Christians follow vegan or vegetarian diets for hundreds of days a year during specific fasting periods, such as Lent, for spiritual and ascetic purposes.
India Has a High Rate of Vegetarianism: India has the lowest per-capita meat consumption in the world, largely influenced by religions like Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Dietary Rules Can Be Very Specific: Cultures like Jainism have very specific dietary prohibitions, avoiding foods like root vegetables and honey to minimize harm to living creatures.

Cultural and Religious Roots of Vegetarianism

For millennia, abstaining from meat has been a practice rooted in deeply held cultural and spiritual beliefs across the world. The reasons vary, from the principle of non-violence (ahimsa) in Indian religions to specific fasting periods in some Christian traditions. These practices are more than simple dietary preferences; they are often an integral part of a person's identity and spiritual journey.

Jainism: The Ultimate Non-Violence

Jainism stands out as one of the most rigorously vegetarian cultures in the world, where the practice is mandatory for all followers. The central principle is ahimsa, or non-violence toward all living beings. This extends far beyond just refraining from meat. Jains follow a strict lacto-vegetarian or vegan diet and take extreme care to avoid harming even the smallest organisms (sūkṣma jīva). This principle informs several unique dietary rules:

They avoid root vegetables such as potatoes, garlic, and onions, as uprooting them kills the entire plant and often many tiny organisms in the soil.
They do not consume honey, as its collection is seen as an act of violence against bees.
Traditionally, they do not eat after sunset to avoid accidentally ingesting insects attracted to light.

Hinduism: A Diverse Approach

While not all Hindus are vegetarian, the religion has a strong tradition of promoting a vegetarian diet based on the principle of ahimsa and the concept of purity. Practices vary significantly by region and caste. Many Hindus, particularly those from certain northern and western states of India, are lacto-vegetarians, consuming dairy but no meat or eggs. The cow is considered a sacred animal, and consuming beef is strictly prohibited for Hindus. However, some communities, particularly in coastal regions like Bengal, do consume fish.

Buddhism: Compassion and Context

Buddhist traditions also emphasize compassion and the avoidance of killing. However, the application of this principle to meat consumption varies widely across different schools of Buddhism.

Theravada Buddhism: Monks and nuns rely on alms and are permitted to eat whatever they are given, including meat, as long as the animal was not killed specifically for them.
Mahayana Buddhism (e.g., China, Vietnam): Monastics often practice strict vegetarianism. The Lankavatara Sutra contains a strong condemnation of meat-eating, arguing that it violates the spirit of compassion.

Rastafarianism: The 'I-tal' Diet

Rastafari adherents follow a diet known as 'I-tal', derived from the word 'vital'. This diet emphasizes natural living and pure, unprocessed foods, as food should come directly from the earth. Many Rastafarians are vegetarian, and while not all are, the consumption of pork is generally forbidden, as it is considered unclean. The I-tal philosophy promotes vitality and a spiritual connection with nature.

Orthodox Christianity: Fasting and Asceticism

Within Eastern Orthodox Christianity, adherents abstain from meat, and often other animal products, during specific and frequent fasting periods throughout the year. These periods include Lent and precede Christmas, Easter, and other religious holidays. The fasting is seen as a spiritual discipline to control one's passions and desires. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, for instance, mandates a vegan diet for around 200 days a year.

Comparison of Major Cultural Non-Meat Diets


Cultural/Religious Group	Primary Motivation	Core Dietary Rules	Variations/Exemptions
Jainism	Non-violence (Ahimsa)	Mandatory veganism/lacto-vegetarianism; no root vegetables, honey, or eating after sunset.	Some activists advocate stricter veganism.
Hinduism	Non-violence (Ahimsa), spiritual purity	Widespread lacto-vegetarianism, with abstention from beef. Regional and caste variations exist.	Some communities, particularly in coastal regions, eat fish.
Buddhism	Compassion, non-killing	Varies by school. Theravada allows alms meat; Mahayana often strict vegetarianism for monastics.	Not universally mandated for all followers in all schools.
Rastafarianism	Natural living ('I-tal')	Emphasis on natural, unprocessed food. Many are vegetarian, but at least avoid pork.	Consumption of fish is sometimes permitted depending on the individual's practice.
Orthodox Christianity	Asceticism, spiritual discipline	Abstain from meat (and often dairy/eggs) during fasting periods like Lent.	Fish and shellfish are sometimes permitted on specific fasting days.

Global Cuisine Influences

The cultural abstention from meat has led to the development of rich and varied plant-based culinary traditions around the world. These food cultures are a testament to how vibrant and flavorful a meat-free diet can be.

Indian Cuisine: Features a vast array of vegetarian dishes using legumes (dals), vegetables, paneer cheese, and intricate spices. Famous dishes include chana masala, aloo gobi, and diverse vegetarian thalis.
Ethiopian Cuisine: Driven by Orthodox fasting periods, Ethiopian cooking includes an abundance of hearty and flavorful vegan stews served with injera flatbread. Examples include misir wot (spicy lentils) and shiro (chickpea stew).
East Asian Cuisine: Influenced by Buddhist vegetarianism, cultures in China and Vietnam feature meat substitutes like tofu and seitan, and dishes like vegetarian pho and temple-style cooking.
Jamaican Ital: A Rastafarian tradition, Ital cuisine focuses on natural, unprocessed foods, creating delicious stews, rice and peas, and callaloo.

Conclusion: A Diverse and Meaningful Practice

The question of what culture does not eat meat reveals a spectrum of beliefs and practices rather than a single answer. While Jainism mandates a stringent plant-based diet, other cultures and religions incorporate vegetarianism or veganism to varying degrees for a multitude of reasons, from profound ethical considerations to specific spiritual observances. These traditions have not only shaped dietary norms but have also cultivated diverse and celebrated culinary traditions that continue to influence global food practices today. The practice of forgoing meat remains a significant cultural and spiritual expression for millions of people worldwide.

Learn more about the ethical and religious history of vegetarianism on Wikipedia

Frequently Asked Questions

Jainism has the strictest and most comprehensive vegetarian rules, where lacto-vegetarianism is mandatory for all followers. Many Jains also practice veganism and avoid root vegetables and honey.

No, not all Hindus are vegetarian. While the practice is promoted and common, particularly among certain castes and regions in India, it is not universally mandated. Many who do eat meat abstain from beef.

The rationale for Buddhist vegetarianism is based on compassion and the principle of not killing. Some Mahayana traditions require vegetarianism for monastics, though practices differ among schools.

The 'I-tal' diet is followed by Rastafarians and emphasizes natural, unprocessed foods. While many are vegetarian, at the very least, most Rastafarians avoid pork.

Yes, vegetarian practices exist in parts of Africa. For example, Ethiopian cuisine is known for its many vegan dishes due to the fasting traditions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Strictly, Jainism is the closest example of a widely practiced vegan culture, with its mandatory plant-based diet and abstention from animal by-products like honey. Many Rastafarians and some Buddhist monastics also follow vegan diets.

Reasons vary by culture. For example, Hindus largely avoid beef because cows are considered sacred, while many religions like Islam and Judaism prohibit pork, viewing it as unclean.