AHINSA, VEGETARIANISM & VEGANISM

The underlying principle of vegetarianism is ‘non-violence (ahinsa)’ or live and let live. ‘Non-violence cannot be practiced while eating animals or cruelly exploited animal products. Therefore, the practice of non-violence has to begin with our diet. Veganism, the natural extension of vegetarianism, is an integral component of a cruelty-free lifestyle. While vegetarianism is avoiding animals diet, veganism is about avoiding animals in the complete lifestyle, including diet.

Pressure on an expanding population to pursue material gain at the expense of morality and respect for life has brought mass exploitation and destruction of other for beings for food and other benefits. To arrest this trend and make the world we live in gentler, we promote a cruelty-free lifestyle called veganism and vegetarianism as an important step towards veganism. True vegetarianism or veganism provides the foundation for an ethical lifestyle whereby all beings can live in peace and harmony.

Vegans believe that animals have their own lives to live and are not our property to eat, use, experiment, entertain, etc. Animals are not dead ‘things’ but are living beings having the same pain and pleasure we experience. When humans use (abuse) animals, it is unlikely that they care for the needs of the animals. Living vegan who is morally correct and provides numerous benefits to our own health, animals’ lives and the environment. A person who is kind and compassionate to animals is most likely to be so human too.

What you can do ?

Support the “Indian Vegan Society” and the “International Vegetarian Union”. Big or small, your contribution is important, to make the world kinder. Try to avoid all animal products in your diet. While shopping, don’t buy animal product as far as possible; be confident and ask for cruelty-free products only. Don’t patronize zoos, circuses, animal races, shows etc. and don’t use animals for rides, transport or experimentation. When you use animal products, please remember that they come from silently suffering animals that cannot defend themselves against the collective might of humans.

Be proud that you don't eat or exploit animals for your pleasure. Tell others to be kind to animals and ask them to be vegetarians and vegans. Help animals live the life nature intended them to live.

INTERNATIONAL VEGETARIAN UNION (IVU)
A Regd. Charity Estd. in 1908 in the U.K. to promote vegetarianism worldwide.
Region : India , South & West Asia
Email: vn.shankar@yahoo.co.in Web: http://ivu.org

INDIAN VEGAN SOCIETY (IVS)
A non-profit, non-religious, non-political organization promoting cruelty-free lifestyle.
Email: indianvegansociety@rediffmail.com