Is it a virtue not to eat meat?

[namyajain]

Ahimsa (non-violence) is an important tenet of Indian religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism), and the killing of animals and the eating of meat is somewhat contrary to this. Yet, except for Jainism, these faiths do not expressly forbid eating meat. The Buddha deemed it acceptable to eat meat so long as animals are not slaughtered specifically to feed the eater. And surprisingly, Swami Vivekananda admitted to enjoying meat and advocated it for those involved in manual activity.Mahatma Gandhi regarded the killing of animals for food as immoral. However, he emphasized that religious merit should not be summed up in terms of diet. Vegetarianism should, he said, be a conscious ethical choice and not mere adherence to culture or tradition. He also warned vegetarians not to be abrasive towards meat eaters but to adopt humility and tolerance towards them and appeal to their moral sense.

Thus it seems that while not eating meat has merit, vegetarianism is not virtuous unless it is morally inspired and progresses towards compassion and non-violence in all spheres of activity, physical, vocal and mental, towards all Gods creatures.

 

[WiseMan]

Ahimsa (non-violence) is an important tenet of Indian religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism), and the killing of animals and the eating of meat is somewhat contrary to this. Yet, except for Jainism, these faiths do not expressly forbid eating meat. The Buddha deemed it acceptable to eat meat so long as animals are not slaughtered specifically to feed the eater. And surprisingly, Swami Vivekananda admitted to enjoying meat and advocated it for those involved in manual activity.Mahatma Gandhi regarded the killing of animals for food as immoral. However, he emphasized that religious merit should not be summed up in terms of diet. Vegetarianism should, he said, be a conscious ethical choice and not mere adherence to culture or tradition. He also warned vegetarians not to be abrasive towards meat eaters but to adopt humility and tolerance towards them and appeal to their moral sense.

Thus it seems that while not eating meat has merit, vegetarianism is not virtuous unless it is morally inspired and progresses towards compassion and non-violence in all spheres of activity, physical, vocal and mental, towards all Gods creatures.

Sikhism rejects killing animal and eating its meat, however there are some ppl who would not agree with this and give their argument.

 

[Gupta]

It is not a virtue to not eat meat, to Jains it is an obligation. However, not eating meat is a part of being nonviolent that is a virtue.

 

[akiratoriyama]

Vegetarianism is indeed strictly enforced in Jainism.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Agree, it is a virtue to be a vegetarian. Welcome to the new members - Namya, Guptaji, Wiseman,

 

[WillEast]

Ahimsa (non-violence) is an important tenet of Indian religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism), and the killing of animals and the eating of meat is somewhat contrary to this. Yet, except for Jainism, these faiths do not expressly forbid eating meat. The Buddha deemed it acceptable to eat meat so long as animals are not slaughtered specifically to feed the eater. And surprisingly, Swami Vivekananda admitted to enjoying meat and advocated it for those involved in manual activity.Mahatma Gandhi regarded the killing of animals for food as immoral. However, he emphasized that religious merit should not be summed up in terms of diet. Vegetarianism should, he said, be a conscious ethical choice and not mere adherence to culture or tradition. He also warned vegetarians not to be abrasive towards meat eaters but to adopt humility and tolerance towards them and appeal to their moral sense.

Thus it seems that while not eating meat has merit, vegetarianism is not virtuous unless it is morally inspired and progresses towards compassion and non-violence in all spheres of activity, physical, vocal and mental, towards all Gods creatures.

That is very well said and I can't add much to it.

 

[SlaveofShinri]

We occupy a planet that the Devas nurture whereby unnatural harms to the web of life result in extinction events to the perpetrators. Out of empathy and even self interest it is clearly best not to harm life.