Don't Kill Animals, Be a Vegetarian

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In the Vedas, the earliest of Hindu scriptures, there is a reference

to animals being an important part in religious ceremony. There are

also references of cows in the hymns. The cow was a sacrificial animal

which was appreciated for its role in offerings to the gods. Hindus

believed that the person, who offers a cow, would gain immediate

ascension to heaven, so the cow must be holy and important. Around the

time the Vedas were written cows were regarded as a great prize. It

had a high value and was the source of many useful products such as

milk, cheese and meat. It was also thought to protect Brahman.

Ahimsa however was only introduced around the 6th Centaury BCE, by

Mahavira the Jain. It gradually increased in popularity amongst

Hindus. Nowadays one could say the cow is like a domestic animal in

India. They are permitted to roam freely around the streets and they

are cared for in temples. A westerner would never think of eating his

dog or cat, so a Hindu would never dream of eating a cow. In villages

in India, the cow nurtures and sustains life. Its milk provides

essential food; its manure provides fuel, heat and light in the home.

The cow's urine is alleged to have special healing properties and is

available as a cream or liquid.

Gandhi said that the cow was a symbol of Hinduism. As most Hindus are

vegetarian, they believe in total respect to all living creatures. It

has a very important role in India's village life. The bulls (male

cows) are used to pull along carts, plough fields and make grain into

flower, which are all essential to life in a village. One bull and cow

is enough to do all the work and supply enough food for more than one

family. Hindus protect cows and other animals because of the teaching

of Ahimsa. They believe all animals have the right to live their

natural life span. As the cow is so scared to Hindus they have special

'retirement homes' called 'Goshallas' where they can rest and be cared

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