World Vegetarian Congress 2000 - Rynn Berry

Reports originally from vegetarian.about.com by Tiffany Refior
July 17, 2000

Rynn Berry

Rynn Berry is the historical advisor to the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS), and is the author of many books and articles on vegetarianism. He is primarily focused on vegetarianism's historical roots.

During the 34th World Vegetarian Congress in Toronto, Mr. Berry gave a variety lectures on Vegetarianism and the World's Religions; Twelve Hallmarks of a Vegetarian Religion; Vegetarian Religious Sects that Made History; Life and Times of Mahavira and Buddha; The History of Raw Foodism; and Christianity & Buddhism.

Among the interesting facts in his lecture:

The concept of ahimsa (not to harm) is so important that you can violate all other commandments in order to fulfill this one.
Confucius is believed to have banished the knife from the table and to have introduced chopsticks.

Rynn Berry's most recent book is Food of the Gods: Vegetarianism & the World's Religions.