---
title: "Vegetarianism in Tamil Literature - IVU - International Vegetarian Union"
description: "Vegetarianism in Tamil Literature: MEENAKSHI SUNDARAN (Chief Professor of Tamil, Presidency College, Madras) Ahimsa is the ruling principle of Indian life from the very earliest times. Though expressed in a negative form as "non-injury," or "non-violence," it is a positive"
url: "https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu.html?view=article&id=3989:congress-wvc57-souvenir-tamil&catid=184"
date: "2026-11-06T00:02:10+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  Vegetarianism in Tamil Literature

![Vegetarianism in Tamil Literature](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/banners/congress-wvc57-souvenir-tamil.png)
 **Vegetarianism in Tamil Literature** T. P. MEENAKSHI SUNDARAN
 (Chief Professor of Tamil, Presidency College, Madras)

*Ahimsa* is the ruling principle of Indian life from the very earliest times. Though expressed in a negative form as "non-injury," or "non-violence," it is a positive outlook on life born of a 'sensitiveness of mind which shudders instinctively at the sight of innocent suffering and therefore, in its developed stage, refuses, at any cost, to cause any injury to other living beings. This blossoms ultimately into universal love.

Tolkappiyar speaks of this ever-widening mystery of personality - its development and perfection into Universal Personality, soaked through and through with Universal Love - Love which is born of no narrow or fettering kinship. It is no mere condescending Humanism; it is universal sympathy with all living beings. This is the spirit of those noble souls who, claiming and feeling universal relationship with all beings, refuse to be cribbed, cabined, and confined within the lightless narrow darkness of petty relationship. It is not a renunciation of the family tie - who ever forgot his Mother? - but a real spreading out or glowing perfection of the Divine spark of love imbedded in every heart. The words "arulotu punarnta akarei " - the widening wedded to universal love " (a widening which takes you far far away from your old limits), as differentiated from " Kaamam niitta paal" (the renunciation of passions) are really significant.

This positive spiritual attitude is easily explained to the common man in a negative way as "ahimsa" and hence this way of denoting it. Tiruvalluvar speaks of this as "kollaamai" or "non-killing." In his view of things any injury is tantamount to killing - a tearing away of so many living cells, even when intended as a mental pain.

But this "non-killing" is differentiated by him from Vegetarianism. This is also explained in a negative way, as the man not eating animal food "pulaal unnaamai." Tiruvalluvar always proceeds from the known to the unknown even at the risk of being misunderstood as a realist and a pragmatist. "Do as you will be done by." This, indeed. is a golden rule for philosophy - realistic and idealistic, and it is the starting-point of all his varied approaches. "How call one be the Master of 'arul' or universal love," he asks, "if one fattens his flesh on the flesh of other dumb beasts?" The use of the non-rational noun "piritu" suggests that the flesh can fatten the flesh and not the rational or human aspects.

To this, non-vegetarians may retort: "I do not myself kill and therefore my universal love does not suffer any diminution." But Tiruvalluvar is there even before them, anticipating this with his relentless reply: ''People slaughter the beasts, because they have to be killed (for the non-vegetarian's desire), Can otherwise, price alone bring forth the flesh?" Thus he proceeds.

An emphasis on or glorification of vegetarianism as a fundamental philosophy was probably the precious contribution of Jainism to Indian thought. This has been accepted by all schools of Indian thought at least as an ideal. Even the erstwhile adherents of Vedic Sacrifice became converts to Vegetarianism, more aggressive and more intolerant, as is always the case with new converts. "To save a single life, even if it be of the lowliest kind is more glorious and of greater moment than a thousand sacrifices of all grandeur."So sang Manu and Tiruvalluvar.

It is important to note that this became also the ideal of statecraft as reflected first in the folklore and later in the sacred puranas. Even the hungry tiger, in the land of a true King, refuses to pounce on the meek lamb nearby, but both drink of the same stream of' love and life, Thus dreamt the common people and the great poets. The Sangam people made a tradition of the story of Cipi, the great Cola King who, they believed, gave up every iota of his flesh as feast to a hawk for saving a simple dove which took refuge with him from the clutches of that bird of prey. Katiyaluur Urattiran Kannanaar of the Sangam age, in describing Kaavirippuum Pattinam or the great city of the Colaas, speaks of the fish in the tumultuous company of the every-increasing number of their kith and kin, playing in the shallow waters almost on the courtyard of the fishermanfolk and of the beasts of food crowding around the huts of the erstwhile mutton vendors, all without any thought of the ancient enmity. This is the glowing picture of the idealized success of Vegetarianism in the very midst of flesh-eaters and drunkards.

Tolkaappiyanar, the Sangam poet and Tiruvalluvar are by tradition considered to be of the golden age of the ancient Tamils. Perhaps the twin epics, Cilappatikaaram, the story of Kannaki and Kovalan, and Manimekalai, the story of the anchorite daughter of Kovalan came at the end of this period, or, according to some, succeeded that glorious period. The hero of Cilappatikaaram partakes of the loving food of vegetables at the hands of his beloved, before he goes to be slaughtered by a suicidal world of passions, treachery, and all that is opposed to the universal love. This suggests a significant contrast of universal import.

In Manimekalai a Buddhist epic, there occurs the episode of Saatuvan, a shipwrecked merchant reaching the shores of a Cannibal island, He speaks their language and that brings him nearer to their hearts. Their Chief offers him amongst other things a feast of flesh. The merchant, a Buddhist. explains in the most unobtrusive way even to these cannibals his philosophy, descending to their level of experience and thought. They accept the Buddhist way of life and its avoidance of the five great sins, but they ask the question of questions of their life : "How are we to live if not on flesh?" For there was no other food for them. To this dire necessity of life he makes a grudging concession and suggests living on only such animals as are not killed by them but die naturally or by accident. One cannot bring out the beauty and the philosophic depth of this episode, even in translation, much less in a bare reference like this.

The popular Eighteen Books of Moral Epigrams, called Patinenkil-k-kanukku, perhaps, with the exception of Tirukkural, probably belongs to the subsequent period of Kalabhra Interregnum and Pallava Rule. The Jain way of life has become the accepted universal way of life of the literary world, especially with reference to food habits. This is the glorious achievement of the literary leadership of the Jains of that age. "Why should the stomach of man, the finest cream of creation, become the graveyard of the dumb animals" - that reveals this trend. The revolution wrought by the Divine Philosophy, thanks to the Nayanmars and Alwaars even amongst the common folk reveals a society believing in vegetarianism, and adding milk and honey to make up any deficiency. The food is a divine offering and is relished as God's grace, emphasizing in another way the great truth: "Man does not live by bread alone." This attitude purified and spiritualized the very food taken and naturally led to Vegetarianism. Today the Hindus speak of non-vegetarian dishes as "foreign food," even those who are addicted to meat-eating.

The Saints work for a universal brotherhood of all living beings of all times and climes in the spiritual democracy of Divine Love. To this end. they do not disdain to rely on the philosophy of the prevalent folklore with its belief in the elephant and the cow, the pig and the crane, the snake and the mouse, the spider and the ant formerly not a modern Zoo but a spiritual family of Divine Service. The struggle for existence - the horrid war of marauders red in tooth and nail - disappears except as an allegory of this spiritual war against sinful thoughts, or is at least sublimated as a, spiritual evolution of Love and Light. The epics of this age, first Jain in origin but later Hindu in conception and elaboration, reveal this Universal Vision as their permanent background.

In this period Tamil gave rise also to a curious kind of epic, depicting the debates of the warring creeds and their victory in such tournaments of words, as a story of epic grandeur. One such work has come down to us in Nilakesi - a Jain work. There in the chapter on the debate with the Buddhists, who, as already hinted, tolerate non-vegetarianism as a concession to the weakness of human taste and to the necessities of nature, the Jain Victor attacks even this principle of concession and establishes the unalloyed principle of strict Vegetarianism. But one need not go here into the subtleties of this debate, made bitter by a scurrilous attack on the Buddhists. A Commentary came to be written by another Jain Saint in the palmy days of Vijayanagar rule in the fourteenth century. The Saivnite maths came into existence thereafter, emphasizing this vegetarianism. A wonderful development has been achieved. Saivism today in the ordinary parlance, especially at the dinner-table, does not mean the principles of Saiva Siddhants or any other philosophy. It has gained a wider and more universal significance in coming to denote Vegetarianism to the Saivaite, the Vaishnavaite, the Buddhist, or the Jain, the Christian or the Muslim. It is the realization of the loving presence of God in every living being as His Temple and from this point of view, meat-eating becomes worse than cannibalism. The Saivaites can be legitimately proud of this consummation. The only danger is that this may degrade into a priggish pretension and vain glory of a habit which they have inherited without any cultivation of their hearts or minds.

The never-to-be forgotten Empire of Vijayanagar passed away as a forgotten Empire. The seventeenth century saw the birth of "Kolaimaruttal," the Refusal or Prohibition of Slaughter," a book by Santalinga, the great mystic Poet-Philosopher of Universalism. Perhaps the age in which the Westerners and the Muslims not wedded to vegetarianism gave a fresh lease of life to the other habits of food, demanding the delivery of a message so worded as to appeal to the people of those days - simple but yet going straight to the heart. At the end of that century or in the beginning of the eighteenth century came Citambara Swami and Kolaimaruttu lives oven today, thanks to the Commentary by this great master of Tamil prose. He has collected therein the various telling quotations on Vegetarianism, some in the form of the very speeches of the dumb beasts, some ironical and witty, some pitiful and heart-rending.

The nineteenth century, the age of Ram Mohan Roy, Sri Ramakrishas, and Dayananda, produced one great Seer in the South - the Saint Ramalinga, the Apostle of Universal Religion, the greatest poet of the age. He was a poet as distinguished from other great contemporary Saints of India. Love was the essence of his religion and the principle of life. Therefore, to him, Vegetarianism was its concrete expression - "aanma neya orumai-p-paatu" - a beautiful phrase indeed - the oneness of spiritual affinity of souls or living beings that is the inner truth of Vegetarianism. Jiva Karunya or the pure love of living beings draws Siva Karuna or the grace of God. His Jiva Karunai Vilakkam is a masterly exposition of this philosophy in his inimitable prose full of spiritual flavour and emotional glow.

In the beginning of the twentieth century there came another Saint - Paampan Swami, who in his erudite essay on 'Jiva yatana Vyasam" or "Cruelty to Living Beings" gave a summary exposition of the philosophy of Vegetarianism from the point of view of the orthodoxy of the world. He answers there a series of questions raised. Though scaring away the common man by its learning and style, this essay is great for its logical analysis and definiteness.

The West has by this time produced not only apostles of Vegetarianism, but also scientific expositions of this way of life, but there it often did not signify any religious philosophy: it became a scientific attitude, shorn of its religious and philosophical implications. Even materialists chose the Vegetarian way. This was a development probably unknown to Tamil land. Maraimalai Atikal who came under the influence of all that was the best in the West, made the western scientific explanations, especially those of medical experts, his own and proclaimed in his unique prose of extreme sweetness the greatness of "Saiva unavu" or vegetarian food in this modern way. Tiru-Vika, the great master of modern dynamic prose bridged the yawning gulf between eastern and western thought through his writings, realizing early that Vegetarianism was more than a mere culinary habit or matter of taste. To him it was the Gandhian philosophy of life, the quintessence of Universal Religion, which he chose to call by the ancient name of Saivism. the really scientific way of modern life. He gave this as one of his messages in all that he wrote and spoke, from the point of view of both the East and the West. This was his great service to the Tamil country, especially in view of the wave of a few free-lances individually justifying their hankering after spiced meat. As a great orator, poet, prose-writer and philosopher, as an editor, labour-leader a politician, he was a power of strength for Vegetarianism, Nature-Cure, and the Universal Religion of Love.

 | 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: 1027    ###  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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[Vegetarian Societies: Historical Directory](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-societies-index.html) - [International Vegetarian Meetings Before IVU](https://ivu.org/hv-societies-ivu-history-societies-pre-ivu.html) - [Vegetarian Society UK: Historical Archive](https://ivu.org/hv-societies-ivu-history-societies-vs.html) - [Vegetarian Societies in the United Kingdom](https://ivu.org/hv-societies-ivu-history-societies-united-kingdom.html) - [US Vegetarian Societies: 1837-1908](https://ivu.org/hv-societies-ivu-history-societies-usa.html) - [North American Vegetarian Societies and IVU](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-northam-history.html) - [Vegetarian Societies in Latin America and the Caribbean](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-societies-latin-america.html) - [Vegetarian Societies in Africa](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-africa-history.html) - [Vegetarian Societies in South and West Asia](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-swasia-history.html) - [Indian Vegetarian Societies](https://ivu.org/hv-societies-ivu-swasia-india-history.html) - [IVU Fellows: Historical Directory](https://ivu.org/hv-societies-ivu-members-council-fellows.html)      ###  Vegetarian History: Timelines and Eras   - [Vegetarian History Timeline](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-timeline-index.html) - [Ancient Vegetarian History Timeline](https://ivu.org/hv-timelines-eras-history-timeline-ancient.html) - [Vegetarian History Timeline: 1400-1800](https://ivu.org/hv-timelines-eras-history-timeline-pre-1800.html) - [Vegetarian History Timeline: 1800-1888](https://ivu.org/hv-timelines-eras-history-timeline-19a.html) - [International Vegetarianism: 1889-1907](https://ivu.org/hv-timelines-eras-history-timeline-1900.html) - [IVU and Vegetarianism: Early 20th Century](https://ivu.org/hv-timelines-eras-history-timeline-1908.html) - [Vegetarianism in Ancient Greece and Rome](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-greece-rome-index.html) - [Ancient India and Eastern Vegetarian Traditions](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-east-index.html) - [Asia and Pacific Vegetarian History up to 1900](https://ivu.org/hv-timelines-eras-history-east-index2.html) - [Europe: Middle Ages to the 17th Century](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-renaissance-index.html) - [European Vegetarian History: 18th Century](https://ivu.org/hv-timelines-eras-history-renaissance-europe18.html) - [Food in England Since 1066](https://ivu.org/hv-timelines-eras-history-renaissance-food-england.html) - [England: Early 19th-Century Vegetarianism](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-england19a-index.html) - [Europe: Late 19th-Century Vegetarianism](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-europe19b-index.html) - [Europe: Early 20th-Century Vegetarianism](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-europe20a-index.html) - [Europe: Late 20th-Century Vegetarianism](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-europe20b-index.html) - [North America: 18th-Century Vegetarianism](https://ivu.org/hv-timelines-eras-history-northam18-index.html) - [USA: 19th-Century Vegetarianism](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-usa19-index.html) - [North America: Early 20th-Century Vegetarianism](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-northam20a-index.html) - [North America: Late 20th-Century Vegetarianism](https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu/hv-general-history-northam20b-index.html)      ###  2008 Dresden Congress Archive   - [2008 World Vegetarian Congress: Dresden](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2008-congress-2008-index.html) - [2008 Dresden Congress: Lecture Texts](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2008-congress-2008-texts-index.html) - [Illustrated History of IVU Congresses: 1908-2008](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-main-congress-2008-ivuhistory-index.html) - [2008 Dresden Congress: Historical Materials](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2008-congress-2008-index-old.html)      ###  2006 Goa Congress Archive   - [2006 World Vegetarian Congress: Goa](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2006-congress-2006-index.html) - [2006 Goa Congress: Lecture Texts](https://ivu.org/hv-congress-2006-congress-2006-texts-index.html) - [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 CARAMELISED DIP](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th10%20367_8a4c61e72394f71d2bb3a07a552c97f9.jpg "VEGAN CARAMELISED DIP")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-caramelised-dip.html "VEGAN CARAMELISED DIP")           ####  [VEGAN CARAMELISED DIP](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-caramelised-dip.html "VEGAN CARAMELISED DIP")            [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) [Starters & side dishes](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/snack-side-dishes.html) - [![VEGAN BREWED TOFU WITH MUSHROOMS](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th10%20619_218160028ebbc7f894827b0b28ad7288.jpg "VEGAN BREWED TOFU WITH MUSHROOMS")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-brewed-tofu-with-mushrooms.html "VEGAN BREWED TOFU WITH MUSHROOMS")           ####  [VEGAN BREWED TOFU WITH MUSHROOMS](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-brewed-tofu-with-mushrooms.html "VEGAN BREWED TOFU WITH MUSHROOMS")            [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Fake Meats (Tofu etc)](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/fake-meats-tofu-etc.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) - [![VEGAN MIXED CUCUMBER WITH ROASTED SESAME DRESSING](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th10%20244_ba586d2f33fbc243d6c83d9c94576b24.jpg "VEGAN MIXED CUCUMBER WITH ROASTED SESAME DRESSING")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-mixed-cucumber-with-roasted-sesame-dressing.html "VEGAN MIXED CUCUMBER WITH ROASTED SESAME DRESSING")           ####  [VEGAN MIXED CUCUMBER WITH ROASTED SESAME DRESSING](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-mixed-cucumber-with-roasted-sesame-dressing.html "VEGAN MIXED CUCUMBER WITH ROASTED SESAME DRESSING")            [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) [salads](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/salads.html)       ###  VFA Blog   - [![How to use Aromatic herbs](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/aromatic-herbs2_1b8c7af7794589aa312ed5dc79cbb705.jpg "How to use Aromatic herbs")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/aromatic-herbs-on-a-vegan-diet.html "How to use Aromatic herbs")           ####  [How to use Aromatic herbs](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/aromatic-herbs-on-a-vegan-diet.html "How to use Aromatic herbs")                - [Read more](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/aromatic-herbs-on-a-vegan-diet.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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