On Hinduism

The cow was the first animal that the Hindus domesticated. In the Vedic age the cow was a blessing to the rural community.
The cow is a maternal figure [Gau mata or mother cow], a caretaker of her people, also seen as a divine bounty of the earth. Lord Krishna was raised as a cowherd, and played His flute with the rest of his friendly cowherd mates. He is a friend and a protector of the cows, often called “Gopala”.
The cow is considered a sacred animal as it provides us with life-sustaining milk. It is considered an auspicious act to feed the cows first before eating once’s food.
Ayurveda promotes the Sattvic qualities of milk, and dairy products, so most Hindu families drink milk and eat milk based products to provide the essential proteins and nutrients. In the rural communities, bulls are used for ploughing the fields and transportation. Cow dung is used as a fuel, and can generate heat. Village homes are plastered with a mixture of cow dung/mud mixture, providing insulation. Cow dung is rich in minerals and is an excellent fertilizer. Rituals involving cow dung and ghee [clarified butter] for sacred fires are considered to purify the atmosphere, are antipollutant and anti-radiation. Some of the Hindu rituals use a combination of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey and sugar as offerings for prayer services.
It is hardly surprising that the cow occupied the position as a mother in the life of a child. It is considered a sin to kill a cow and eat beef. The vedic scriptures emphasize that the cow must be protected and cared for.

Other reading material: Read Why Hindus don’t eat beef? (22a), https://voiceofhindus.org/why-cows-are-sacred-for-hindus-and-why-they-dont-eat-beef/
Relevant videos:

Contributor: Dr. Jyoti Lulla

Location of this post (21a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-are-cows-sacred/

Non-violence (ahimsa) is one of the fundamental teachings of Hinduism. Killing another life form to service their dietary existence is, therefore, considered sacrilege. That being the foundation, most Hindu’s journey towards divinity is only complete when he or she takes care of all other beings. There are, however, situations in which eating animals becomes a necessity for various reasons–topography, climate, famines, etc. In those cases, Hindus do consume non-vegetarian foods. However, for reasons related to health/digestion consumption of less complex life forms is recommended – fish, chicken, etc. Cow being a mammal is not only a more complex life form but also happens to be a multi-utility animal. In addition to being a farm animal, it provides dairy and fuel, among other benefits. Killing a cow for food has never made an economic sense for an agrarian society in fertile lands where the Hindus have flourished for many millennia. 

Cow, traditionally, being the center of a household in India holds an emotional place in a family as pets do. Just as we do not kill our pet dogs for food, Hindus do not kill cows for feeding themselves.   

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Other reading material: https://houseoflac.wordpress.com/2018/10/09/the-wedge-of-vegetarianism/
Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: Why Do we eat Vegetarian Food? , Zakir Naik and Rajiv Malhotra

Contributor: Rajeev Singh

Location of this post (22a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-hindus-dont-eat-beef/

Hinduism is not a ‘human centric’ religion. God (Brahman) is omnipresent. God’s kingdom is the Universe. Every leaf, every drop of water, every cloud in the sky, every object, animate and inanimate, including animals, plants, planets, the Sun and the moon are all Brahman. Hinduism is not doctrine centric, it does not contain doctrines like–thou shall not eat beef.
Hinduism teaches the understanding of self dharma and then to follow our dharma. Hindus are taught to follow a non-violent or least harmful path. Further, it teaches us that animals have a soul, just as humans do, and have a right to life as well, just as all humans do. Hindu sages’ deep study of nutrition, its impact on health and mind, leads it to recommend a lacto vegetarian path for improved health and alertness. Hence, there is an inclination towards vegetarianism.

Those in the path of dedicated learning and practice are required to adhere to vegetarian food that is light and digestible, as these foods are believed to raise the consciousness levels of the practitioner.

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: Why do we eat Vegetarian Food? , Zakir Naik and Rajiv Malhotra , Rajeev Singh

Contributor: Dr. Dilip Amin

Location of this file (22b): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-are-many-hindus-vegetarian/