What religion is veg? A comprehensive guide to dietary traditions

December 23, 2025 •

4 min read

While an estimated 30% of India's population practices lacto-vegetarianism, influenced by religions originating there, the question of what religion is veg spans far beyond one region. Many faith traditions worldwide incorporate vegetarianism and veganism for reasons deeply connected to non-violence, purity, and compassion.

Quick Summary

This article explores the diverse spiritual reasons why various religions, including Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Rastafarianism, incorporate vegetarian or plant-based diets. It covers mandatory rules in some faiths, optional traditions in others, and the philosophical basis behind these choices.

Key Points

Jainism mandates strict vegetarianism based on the principle of ahimsa, or complete non-violence towards all living beings, including small organisms.
Hinduism has a long tradition of vegetarianism rooted in ahimsa and beliefs about reincarnation, though practice varies widely by community.
Buddhism's approach to vegetarianism varies by school, with many Mahayana followers adopting a plant-based diet, while some Theravadins accept offered meat.
Sikhism promotes a simple diet and discourages kutha (ritually slaughtered) meat, leading many Sikhs to choose vegetarianism, though it's not a strict rule.
Seventh-day Adventists and Rastafarians encourage plant-based eating for reasons of health and spiritual purity, respectively, though individual practices may differ.
Many faiths, including Abrahamic and Taoist traditions, have sects or historical roots that favor vegetarianism as a moral or spiritual ideal.

The connection between religious belief and dietary choices is ancient and profound, with vegetarianism and veganism being central practices in many faiths. These practices are often rooted in core principles such as ahimsa (non-violence), spiritual purification, and respect for life. While some religions mandate a strict plant-based diet, others encourage it as a spiritual ideal or practice it within specific sects or at certain times of the year.

Jainism: The Ultimate Expression of Ahimsa

Jainism is arguably the most stringent vegetarian religion, with a mandatory meat-free diet for all followers based on the principle of ahimsa, or absolute non-harm to all living beings. This principle extends beyond animals to include minute organisms, influencing how Jains eat and live. For instance, many Jains will not eat root vegetables like potatoes and onions because harvesting them can harm small creatures living in the soil. This scrupulous avoidance of violence is a defining characteristic of the Jain identity, shaping their entire lives and culinary practices. Jains are typically lacto-vegetarians or vegans, also avoiding foods that involve dead animal products.

Hinduism: A Diverse Tradition of Non-Violence

Hinduism has a long and varied tradition of vegetarianism, though it is not mandatory for all adherents. Rooted in the concept of ahimsa and the belief in reincarnation, many Hindus view abstaining from meat as a path to spiritual purity. Different Hindu communities and castes have differing dietary practices, and estimates suggest that around a third of all Hindus are vegetarian. Those who do eat meat may abstain during holy days or before visiting temples. The reverence for the cow is also a significant factor in dietary choices for many Hindus. The tradition emphasizes that violence towards creatures has negative karmic consequences, making the meatless diet a path to spiritual progression.

Buddhism: Varied Practices Based on Compassion

Buddhism, like Hinduism, is centered on compassion (karuna) and non-violence. However, dietary practices differ significantly among its different schools and geographical regions.

Mahayana Buddhism: In East Asian countries like China and Vietnam, monastic communities often follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet. Some Mahayana scriptures strongly condemn meat-eating, arguing that accepting flesh supports killing.
Theravada Buddhism: Predominantly practiced in Southeast Asia, Theravada monks traditionally accept whatever food is offered to them in their begging bowls, including meat, as long as it wasn't killed specifically for them. While the Buddha himself taught compassion, interpretations of the rules on eating meat vary among followers.

Sikhism and Rastafarianism: Spiritual Purity and Natural Living

Sikhism: The Simple Diet

Sikhism does not mandate vegetarianism, and the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy book) considers arguments over meat-eating foolish. The tradition encourages a simple, humble diet, which can include or exclude meat. However, many Sikhs choose to be vegetarian, and the consumption of kutha meat (ritually slaughtered meat, like halal) is prohibited. Vegetarianism is particularly prevalent in the Indian state of Punjab, home to most Sikhs.

Rastafarianism: The Ital Diet

The Rastafari movement emphasizes a natural and pure way of living known as livity, which includes following the Ital diet. The word Ital is derived from the word 'vital,' signifying that food should be natural and unprocessed. This diet is typically vegetarian or vegan, avoiding meat, salt, and chemicals, and is often centered on fresh, homegrown produce. Many Rastafari consider eating meat a spiritual impurity.

Other Religions and Plant-Based Diets

Many other faiths, though not strictly vegetarian, contain traditions or sects that embrace plant-based diets.

Seventh-day Adventism: This Christian denomination encourages vegetarianism and a plant-based diet for its health benefits, considering the body the temple of the Holy Spirit. About 40% of Adventists are vegetarian, and many live longer than average.
Taoism: Practices vary, but many Taoist monks are vegetarian, and some fast days require a plant-based diet. The emphasis is on moderation and living in harmony with nature.
Abrahamic Faiths: Some Jews, Christians, and Muslims are vegetarian or vegan, often citing compassionate reasons or a return to the original, meat-free diet described in Genesis. The Baháʼí Faith also suggests a vegetarian diet for the future, though it is not currently required.

Comparison of Religious Dietary Practices


Feature	Jainism	Hinduism	Buddhism (Mahayana)	Seventh-day Adventism	Rastafarianism	Taoism
Dietary Requirement	Mandatory (vegetarian/vegan)	Optional (common lacto-veg)	Often practiced (monastics)	Encouraged (plant-based)	Encouraged (Ital)	Optional (sometimes for periods)
Core Principle	Ahimsa (non-harm)	Ahimsa, karma, purity	Compassion, non-killing	Body as temple, health	Livity (purity, natural)	Harmony with Tao
Restrictions	Strict veganism, avoids root vegetables	Varies, many lacto-veg, may avoid eggs	Avoids meat, especially for monastics	Avoids 'unclean' meats, caffeine, alcohol	Avoids meat, salt, additives, alcohol	Varies, some fasts involve specific exclusions
Practitioner Adherence	High (for all followers)	Varies by caste, region, individual	Varies by school (Mahayana vs. Theravada)	Varies, approx. 40% are veg	Varies in strictness	Varies widely by sect and individual
Goal	Minimize harm, accumulate good karma	Spiritual purity, non-violence	Spiritual progression, compassion	Optimal health, longevity	Purity, connection to nature	Spiritual enlightenment, balance

Conclusion: A Tapestry of Compassionate Diets

The phrase what religion is veg reveals a spectrum of beliefs rather than a single answer. While Jainism stands out for its mandatory and strict vegetarianism, numerous other faiths embrace or encourage plant-based eating for a variety of ethical, spiritual, and health-related reasons. These traditions underscore the universal human desire to connect with the divine and with the natural world through intentional, compassionate dietary choices.

For more information on religious perspectives on diet, see the International Vegetarian Union website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jainism is considered the most strictly vegetarian religion, with the practice being mandatory for all followers. This is based on the principle of ahimsa, or non-harm, which extends to avoiding even root vegetables to protect organisms in the soil.

No, vegetarianism is not required in all schools of Buddhism. While many Mahayana Buddhists are vegetarian due to a strong emphasis on compassion, Theravada monks traditionally accept any food offered as alms, including meat.

Many Hindus choose vegetarianism based on the principle of ahimsa (non-violence), the belief in reincarnation, and the pursuit of spiritual purity. The practice, however, varies significantly by region, caste, and personal belief.

The Rastafarian Ital diet is a natural, healthy, plant-based way of eating. It avoids meat, salt, chemicals, and processed foods to promote a pure and vital lifestyle, often centering on homegrown vegetables and fruit.

While the Seventh-day Adventist Church encourages a plant-based diet for health and spiritual reasons, not all members are vegetarian. Some may consume 'clean' meats in moderation, as defined by biblical texts, while others are strictly vegetarian or vegan.

Yes, there are vegetarian traditions and movements within Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). These often cite biblical ideals like the Garden of Eden's vegetarian diet or emphasize compassion for animals. However, it is generally not a mainstream requirement.

Taoism emphasizes simplicity and harmony with nature, but its dietary practices are not uniform across all sects. While some monks practice vegetarianism, lay followers may adhere to a vegetarian diet only during specific fasting periods, reflecting the uncentralized nature of Taoist traditions.