On Hinduism

Hinduism, at its core, has a reverence for universal Truth. It can be said that Hindu text, practices, and traditions are a codification of multiple approaches to recognize and honor the universal truth. That universal Truth and its divinity can be recognized and honored by folding hands, service to others, deity worship, chanting, meditating, yoga, dance, music, vegetarianism, etc. The choice of approach can be theistic, atheistic, nature worship, object based, or may simply have a philosophical school of thought associated with it. 

In case of Tulsi, there are Puranic (one of the many sacred Hindu texts) stories of it being associated with deities. Tulsi is also a medicinal plant that has many benefits when consumed. As true with many things, Hindu have more than one reason to pray to Tulsi–both theistic and practical. Simply put, Tulsi can be an object to enable a Hindu’s devotion, or it could be a Hindu’s mooring in nature, and a reminder of our inter-dependence and obligation to preserve it, or it can simply be a somewhat selfish desire to keep the sacred blossoming in our courtyards as a symbol of divine’s presence in our homes.

.Other reading material:

Relevant videos:

Contributor: Rajeev Singh

Location of this post (21b):https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/why-do-you-pray-to-a-plant-like-tulsi/

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/