---
title: "Giving up Meat-eating is Essential Aspect of Ahimsa - IVU - International Vegetarian Union"
description: "Giving up Meat-eating is Essential Aspect of Ahimsa: ACHARYA VINOBHA BHAVE Extracted from "Talks on the Gita, XXXVIII" Sunday Standard, 13.8.1957, Courtesy: Akila Bharata Sarva Seva Sangha Till now we saw the one aspect of ahimsa , that is, how a non-violent man defends himself against"
url: "https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu.html?view=article&id=3884:congress-wvc57-souvenir-bhave&catid=184"
date: "2026-11-06T00:01:55+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  Giving up Meat-eating is Essential Aspect of Ahimsa

 **Giving up Meat-eating is Essential Aspect of Ahimsa**

ACHARYA VINOBHA BHAVE
 *Extracted from "Talks on the Gita, XXXVIII"
 Sunday Standard, 13.8.1957,
 Courtesy: Akila Bharata Sarva Seva Sangha*

*![](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/congress/wvc57/souvenir/bhave.jpg)*

Till now we saw the one aspect of *ahimsa*, that is, how a non-violent man defends himself against the attacks of the violent. how *ahimsa* has evolved in the struggles between individuals. But there is also a conflict between man and animal. Man has not yet been able to put an end to conflict between human beings, and halves by filling his stomach with the flesh of animals.

Men cannot stop fighting with each other even now ; nor can they live without eating helpless lower animals which also live. Though he has existed for thousands of years, man has not yet learnt how to live. He cannot yet live like a man.

But now even in this matter there is progress. There was a time when man lived on animals only. But oven then, the more intelligent, the nobler ones, did not like this. They laid down a restriction that, if they had to eat meat, they would eat only the flesh of animals offered in sacrifice. The intention behind this was to limit violence. Many people gave up meat altogether ; but those who could not do so were permitted to offer it to the Lord in sacrifice, do a little penance, and then eat it.

It was thought then that, as a result of this condition, if one could eat meat only in a *yajna*, a sacrifice, violence would be controlled. But later on yajnas became common, and whoever felt like it performed a sacrifice and ate the meat.

SELF-CONTROL

Then the Lord Buddha went a step further. He said, "If you want to eat meat eat it. But don't bring the name of God into it." The aim of both these statements is the same, that violence could be controlled, that somehow people should be drawn into the path of self control. Both from the performance of *yajnas* and from nonperformance of them, we learnt to give up meat. Thus, little by little, we gave up eating meat.

In the history of the world it is only in India that this great experiment has been attempted. Millions of people here have given up meat-eating. If today we do not eat meat; it is no mark of our greatness. Because of the merit of our ancestors, we have got used to this. Why, we are surprised when we hear or read that the *Rishis* of old ate meat. We say, "What nonsense ! How could *Rishis* eat meat? It's impossible."

On the other hand, their greatness is that, though used to taking meat, they had self-control enough to give it up. We do not have to go through all that trouble now. We have: without effort on our part, inherited their virtues.

 In Bhavabhuti's "Uttararrama Charita," Vasishtha arrives at the hermitage of Valmiki. To welcome him a young calf is killed. A small boy says to an older boy, "The big bearded tiger that came to our ashram today has eaten up our little calf, hasn't it "And the older boy says, 'Hush! He is the great *Rishi* Vasishtha. You mustn't say such things."

The fact that they ate meat in ancient times, and that we don't do it now, does not mean that we are better than they. The fruit of their experience has come to us easily. We should now progress further. We should make an effort to give up even milk altogether. It is degrading for men to drink the milk of other animals.

Ten thousand years hence the men of the future will say of us, "Why did our ancestors have to take a solemn vow not to drink milk? Ram-Ram! How could they bring themselves to drink milk? Were they such savages? "We should fearlessly and humbly make experiments and progress steadily. The tree of truth should throw out new branches. There is plenty of room for development. No quality has as yet evolved to its fullness.

We should develop the divine tendencies and keep away from the demonic. The Lord describes in this chapter the demonic qualities, so that we may keep away from them... The Lord. ...exhorts us to give up the demonic and acquire the divine qualities. Come let us make the effort!

 | A note on this archive. The history section of this website is drawn from a body of legacy content originally compiled by John Davis, former manager of the International Vegetarian Union. It represents his curation of historical material, and in places includes passages written by him directly.  Over the years, the IVU website has migrated between several different hosting servers. In the course of these migrations, a number of PDF files were unfortunately lost, and **some links to PDF documents may no longer function**. Where this is the case, we have chosen to leave the original link text in place, as it may itself carry information of historical value.  - Hits: 944    ###  1957 World Vegetarian Congress   - [1957 World Vegetarian Congress](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-1957-congress-wvc57-index.html) - [1957 World Vegetarian Congress: Souvenir Book](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-1957-congress-wvc57-souvenir-index.html)      - [History of IVU](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu.html)      ###  Vegetarian Congresses: Main Archive   - [Illustrated History of IVU Congresses: 1908-2008](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-main-congress-2008-ivuhistory-index.html) - [1847 England Physiological and Vegetarian Conference](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-main-congress-1847-index.html) - [1850 American Vegetarian Convention](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-main-congress-1850-index.html) - [1890 International Vegetarian Congress](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-main-congress-1890-index.html) - [1893 International Vegetarian Congress](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-main-congress-1893-index.html) - 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[2006 Goa Congress: Photo Gallery](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2006-congress-2006-jdphotos-index.html)      ###  2004 Brazil Congress Archive   - [2004 World Vegetarian Congress: Florianopolis](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2004-congress-2004-index.html) - [2004 Brazil Congress: Speakers and Food Demonstrators](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2004-congress-2004-speakers-index.html) - [2004 Brazil Congress: Lectures](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2004-congress-2004-lectures-index.html) - [2004 Brazil Congress: Reports and Comments](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2004-congress-2004-reports-index.html) - [2004 Brazil Congress: Cruelty-Free Fashion Gallery](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2004-congress-2004-photos-fashion-index.html) - [2004 Congress: Rio Grande do Sul Tour Gallery](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2004-congress-2004-photos-postcong1-index.html) - [2004 Brazil Congress: Historical Materials](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2004-congress-2004-index-old.html)      ###  Vegan Recipes   - [![VEGAN RICE COOKED WITH PUMPKIN](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th10%20248_d0b1bb619225e448c89d5c347bf05345.jpg "VEGAN RICE COOKED WITH PUMPKIN")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-rice-cooked-with-pumpkin.html "VEGAN RICE COOKED WITH PUMPKIN")           ####  [VEGAN RICE COOKED WITH PUMPKIN](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-rice-cooked-with-pumpkin.html "VEGAN RICE COOKED WITH PUMPKIN")            [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Main course](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/main-course-for-lunch-and-dinner.html) [Rice](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/rice.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) - [![Cashew Cream for savory dishes and sauces](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/cashew-cream-savory_8ae117f14ec3f39b1bad4a193e28ba5d.jpg "Cashew Cream for savory dishes and sauces")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/cashew-cream-for-savory-dishes-and-sauces.html "Cashew Cream for savory dishes and sauces")           ####  [Cashew Cream for savory dishes and sauces](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/cashew-cream-for-savory-dishes-and-sauces.html "Cashew Cream for savory dishes and sauces")            [Sauces](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/sauces.html) [Vegan Cheese](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vegan-cheese.html) - [![Moroccan Vegetable Hot Pot](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/moroccan-vegetable-hot-pot-1775426877_1fb6977727301e8d15c186974e2d4ec0.jpg "Moroccan Vegetable Hot Pot")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/moroccan-vegetable-hot-pot.html "Moroccan Vegetable Hot Pot")           ####  [Moroccan Vegetable Hot Pot](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/moroccan-vegetable-hot-pot.html "Moroccan Vegetable Hot Pot")            [Main course](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/main-course-for-lunch-and-dinner.html) [Soups](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/soup.html) [Morocco](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/morocco.html) [African](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/african.html)       ###  VFA Blog   - [![Fake meats](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/burger_vegano_120cb8fd9a83d0a352981ee6640be7cf.jpg "Fake meats")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/fake-meats.html "Fake meats")           ####  [Fake meats](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/fake-meats.html "Fake meats")                - [Read more](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/fake-meats.html)       ###  Science   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html)     [ Rapid global phaseout of animal agriculture has the potential to stabilize greenhouse gas levels for 30 years](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html)     [ Animal Agriculture and Climate change a Qualitative holistic note](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html)     [ Environmental Impact of Two Plant Based Isocaloric and Isoproteic Diets The Vegan Diet vs the Mediterranean Diet](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) Popular            ###  History     [ ![Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/0f49c89d1e7298bb9930789c8ed59d48.jpg)    Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/283-taiwans-climate-legislation-embraces-plant-based-eating.html "Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating")       [ ![Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022   Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/6a9aeddfc689c1d0e3b9ccc3ab651bc5.jpg)    Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/282-chinese-dietary-guidelines-2022-guideline-4-eat-fish-poultry-eggs-and-lean-meat-in-moderation.html "Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022   Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation")       [ ![Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No  297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/e3796ae838835da0b6f6ea37bcf8bcb7.jpg)    Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference                ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/281-reply-to-proposal-no-4748-agriculture-and-water-conservancy-category-no-297-of-the-third-session-of-the-13th-national-committee-of-the-chinese-peoples-political-consultative-conference.html "Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No  297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference")                              ###  2002 Edinburgh Congress Archive   - [2002 World Vegetarian Congress: Edinburgh](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2002-congress-2002-index.html) - [2002 Edinburgh Congress: Programme](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2002-congress-2002-program-index.html) - [2002 Edinburgh Congress: Talks and Recipes](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2002-congress-2002-texts-index.html) - [2002 Edinburgh Congress: Photo Gallery](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2002-congress-2002-photos-index.html) - [2002 Edinburgh Congress: Jeff's Journal](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2002-congress-2002-journal-index.html) - [2002 Congress: Edinburgh and Scotland Travel Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2002-congress-2002-scotland-index.html)      - <a href="">Archives by Language </a>     - [Chinese People Archive: Traditional Chinese (Big5)](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-chinese-people-index-big5.html)     - [Chinese Writers Archive: Traditional Chinese (Big5)](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-chinese-people-writers-index-big5.html)     - [Chinese People Archive: Simplified Chinese (GB)](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-chinese-people-index-gb.html)     - [Chinese Writers Archive: Simplified Chinese (GB)](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-chinese-people-writers-index-gb.html)     - [French Famous Vegetarians Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-french-people-index.html)     - [French IVU Magazine Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-french-news-magazine.html)     - [French 2008 Dresden Congress Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-french-congress-2008-index.html)     - [German IVU Magazine Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-german-news-magazine.html)     - [German 2008 Congress: Historical Materials](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-german-congress-2008-index-old.html)     - [German Illustrated IVU Congress History](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-german-congress-2008-ivuhistory-index.html)     - [German 2008 Dresden Congress Programme](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-german-congress-2008-program.html)     - [Italian Famous Vegetarians Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-italian-people-index.html)     - [Italian IVU Magazine Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-italian-news-magazine.html)     - [Italian 1997 European Congress Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-italian-congress-euro97-index.html)     - [Italian 1999 Thailand Congress Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-italian-congress-thai99-index.html)     - [Italian 2008 Dresden Congress Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-italian-congress-2008-index.html)     - [Portuguese 2008 Dresden Congress Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-portuguese-congress-2008-index.html)     - [Spanish Famous Vegetarians Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-spanish-people-index.html)     - [Spanish 1999 Thailand Congress Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-spanish-congress-thai99-index.html)     - [Spanish 1999 Thailand Congress Programme](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-spanish-congress-thai99-program-program.html)     - [Spanish 2008 Dresden Congress Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-language-archives-group/hv-language-archives-spanish-congress-2008-index.html)        ###  Download the Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet for Kids and Adolescents   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html)     [ vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Popular               7676 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html)     [ Booklet IVU portugues web](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) Popular               7319 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html)     [ Nutrition Guide for Students (with Khmer Translation)](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) Popular               6052 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html)     [ ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン栄養ガイド](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) Popular               5524 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html)     [ BROȘURA DE NUTRIȚIE VEGETARIANĂ - Romanian](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) Popular               5040 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html)     [ CARTEL DE NUTRICIÓN VEGETARIANA](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) Popular               4558 downloads            ###  Nutrition   - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html)     [ What are the best sources of protein Introducing the BPI Score](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) Popular               603 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html)     [ 2024 The OMNIVEG STUDY Health outcomes of shifting from a traditional to a vegan Mediterranean diet in healthy men A controlled crossover trial](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) Popular               2782 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html)     [ Plant Based Nutrition Exploring Health Benefits for Atherosclerosis, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome—A Comprehensive Review](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) Popular               3834 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html)     [ 2024 Plant and Animal Fat Intake and Overall and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Main Folder All Cause Mortality](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) Popular               4052 downloads                                ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/02/adult-guide-029d8cad.png)### The International Vegetarian Union’s Vegan Nutrition Guide for Adults  In 2 versions:  - [For healthcare professionals](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/the-international-vegetarian-union-s-vegan-nutrition-guide-for-adults-healthcare-professionals.html) - [General Public Edition](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/guide-for-non-healthcare-professionals.html)    [Get it now](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide.html)         ![](https://ivu.org/images/banners/booklet2.jpg)### Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet A Dietary Approach to Vegetarianism for Kids and Adolescents  The intention of this booklet is present to kids and adolescents a healthy vegan diet    [Read more](https://ivu.org/nutrition/vegetarian-nutrition-book-for-kids-and-adolescents.html)                 Vegan Nutrition            ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/a6/logo_IVU_01_SLOGAN-a678b962.png)               ### Presidents, Chair and Council  - [IVU President and Chair of the International Council](https://ivu.org/ivu-chair.html) - [IVU Honorary President](https://ivu.org/ivu-honorary-president.html) - 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