What is the Hare Krishna’s contribution to vegetarianism and animal rights?
Well, the Krishna movement partakes of the classical Vaishnava tradition, which has a strong teaching on vegetarianism and animal rights. First of all, they only eat food that can first be offered to Krishna in sacrifice. The texts make clear that Krishna only wants vegetarian foods as an offering. So no true devotee would offer meat, fish, eggs, or anything of the kind, because Krishna simply does not ask for such foods. Why would they offer their loving Deity something He doesn’t want? In fact, they don’t. So vegetarianism is a binding part of the tradition. Animal rights speaks to the kindness component in Vaishnava teaching: jiva doya. This means “compassion to all souls,” regardless of outer covering, or regardless of the specific body nature gives to them. You see, all beings are made of the same spiritual substance — we’re all parts of Krishna. Therefore, we should all receive the same respect and love, even if we happen to be animals. This is a cardinal teaching of Vaishnavism
