Although the term "vegan" was coined almost 80 years ago by the British animal rights advocate Donald Watson, only in the last few decades has the number of fans of the vegan lifestyle and challenges increased. Vegan (a campaign encouraging people to eat only plant-based food for a month in January).
However, in many Eastern cultures, avoiding meat as an act of kindness to animals is an ancient custom dating back more than two millennia.
This is especially preached in Jainism, a religion that arose in northern India between the seventh and fifth centuries BC and is even older than Buddhism, which is closest to modern vegan principles of avoiding animal products.
"Ahimsa or non-violence/non-injury is the basic life principle of all followers of Jainism," explains Kusum Jain, a retired professor of philosophy at the University of Rajasthan.
"This applies to all living things - not only humans, but also animals, insects and sometimes plants, even those that live in water or underground.
"The Jains believe that any kind of injury or damage to any living being is violence," says Professor Jain, who has done extensive research and advises doctoral students on this topic.
She explains that Jains also try to suppress reckless thinking and malevolence, because they believe that "everything reflects karma."
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These beliefs are based on the teachings of 24 gurus known as tirtankaras.
The last known was Mahavir, a contemporary of the Buddha, whom the Jains follow instead of worshiping the creator.
"Tirthankaras were human beings who became saints because of their deeds.
"Since they have reached enlightenment and nirvana, they show us the way to liberation," explains the professor.
Although Jains make up only 0,4 percent of India's population (according to the 2011 census), Jainism is still a vibrant religion with new followers joining the country.
Jains are found throughout India, with larger communities in the western Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, home to outstanding Jain temples such as Ranakpur and Dilwara.
Jains are also one of the wealthiest communities in India.
Because of their strong reputation, even high-end restaurants offer special Jain menus or Jain versions of famous dishes (think of this as "veganizing" food, ie substituting or omitting prohibited ingredients).
Many of the strictest non-violent tenets of Jainism are now followed primarily by monks and nuns.
Not only do they wear unstitched uniforms of inconspicuous colors, but they also cover their mouths with a mask so they don't accidentally inhale insects in flight, and while walking they sweep the ground in front of them so they don't step on an ant or a tiny creature.
But most of the followers of Jainism apply the strictest rules precisely in diet and rituals.
They eat vegetarian and strictly avoid meat, seafood and eggs.
Jainism also forbids eating any plant that grows underground, such as onions, potatoes, carrots, and garlic, because insects could be killed during extraction.
As a replacement for the flavors of black onion and garlic, Jains add a little spice asafetida (hing) to their dishes.
This spice, which is obtained from the root of various fennels (anis), has a spicy garlic smell and is used throughout India.
Chef Aruna Vijay, a finalist in the recently held India's Best Chef competition (MasterChef India 2023) and a follower of Jainism, explains the seasonal nature of their diet.
"During the four months, roughly from June to October that coincide with India's monsoon season, we don't eat green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, amaranth, coriander, and mint.
"During the wet season, many microorganisms grow, so we could unknowingly kill small insects and worms when we chop and eat these plants," she explains.
He adds that for eight days during the height of the rainy season, Jains avoid all vegetables and fruits.
They feed exclusively on legumes and lentils, but also on dairy products, especially yogurt-based sauces.
Although the Jain diet is guided by the principles of mercy and non-violence, dairy products are permitted, and Jains have no moral qualms about them.
"Actually, ghee (ghee - clarified fresh butter) is considered one of the purest types of food," points out Professor Jain.
Vijay hypothesizes that this may be because traditional dairy farms fostered a noble approach to animals, and the scriptures were written at a time when there was no commercial mass production.
"When I was growing up, we had cows and we made dairy products for our needs, such as milk, curd (a type of cheese), butter, and ghee.
"We would always let the calf suck milk first and only then milk the cow for our needs," recalls Vijay.
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Although Jainism does not follow the strictest form of veganism, the two concepts are related.
In the book "Whose samosa is it anyway?", author Sonal Ved explains that Jain dietary rules are linked to the principle of ahimsa and cosmic consequences for those who eat meat.
"Although the Jain and vegan diets differ, they have in common that food obtained through cruelty is prohibited," she states in a book published in 2021.
And when you look at India as a whole, it is noticeable that there are many dishes that are inherently vegan.
Ved, whose latest book is The Indian Vegan (The Indian Vegan) published in November 2023, says that during research for the book, she saw how vegan the diet actually is in certain areas of India.
"Based on the dishes prepared in the lowlands along the coast of the Arabian Sea in the west of India, all the way to Bengali cuisine in the east of the country, I noticed that Indians have been eating plants instead of meat for several decades," she said.
"For example in South India, apart from curd, the diet is completely vegan.
"They eat rice, koot (lentil and vegetable broth), poriyal (fried or stir-fried vegetables), sambhar (vegetable paprikash with lentils and various legumes), i Rasam (spicy soup)," says Vijay.
Given how easy it is to be vegan in India, it's no surprise that many young people, whether living in India or abroad, are adopting this way of eating.
Many followers of Jainism also switch to a completely vegan, dairy-free diet.
"Eating habits in India are certainly changing, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic," notes Vijay.
"There's a lot of focus on health now, and I notice a lot of my friends are going vegan," she adds.
"The Indian vegan food market is estimated to be worth US$2022 million in 1.372,3, and is expected to grow further," says Ved.
"It shows that veganism is clearly not just a current fashion trend, but becoming a way of life," Ved believes.
She is happy because, as she points out, "the connection between veganism and a sustainable lifestyle is obvious, and veganism can slow down the increasingly serious consequences of climate change."
Professor Jain believes that veganism builds on the basic principles of non-violence respected by followers of Jainism.
"The last tirtankara was born more than 2.500 years ago, so I would say veganism is a fairly young concept compared to the philosophy of Jainism," she says with a laugh.
Regardless of the term used to describe the followers of Gianism, it is important, as Vijay points out, "that they do their best not to hurt anything or anyone, even by accident.
"Our motto is 'live and let others live'".
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