When thinking of veganism, many people think of a purely secular movement.

In fact, in many ways, it speaks to the universality of vegan beliefs that amongst Humanists, Christians, Muslims, and Atheists alike, you’ll always find those who choose a lifestyle that prioritizes animal welfare and happiness.

That being said, with vegan numbers steadily on the rise, it can be easy to think of the movement from a uniquely modern perspective.

While it’s true that the word vegan has only been around since the 1940s and that the exact definition is a relatively recent invention, the basic ideas that make up modern veganism have existed for a lot longer.

Today we’re going to take a dive into the history of veganism by looking at three faiths that pioneered many elements of modern philosophy.

Buddhism and Veganism

Vegetarianism and veganism have been common, in one way or another, throughout Buddhist communities for many hundreds of years.

In Mahayana Buddhist teachings, it is taught that the Buddha told his followers not to eat fish, meat, or any food that was touched by meat.

Unlike secular veganism or vegetarianism - which is defined purely by whether or not one uses or consumes animal products - to be a Buddhist vegetarian, one must also accept the tenets of Buddhist ethics. This perspective redefines vegetarianism as a distinctly ethical choice, signifying that, for many, the intent is as important as the action itself.

Put simply, are you going vegan because you want to feel healthier, or are you doing it because you believe it is the right thing to do?

Hinduism and Veganism

India - where Hinduism is predominantly practiced - has the lowest meat conception rate globally, and this is largely due to Hindu teachings.

Although the consumption of meat, in general, is not strictly prohibited, Hindus are explicitly not allowed to eat beef.

There is some scholarly debate as to whether the Vedic texts are in favor of or against the consumption of meat, but many individuals have taken them to mean the latter. As a result, Indian food is some of the most vegan friendlies in the world, featuring lots of rice, vegetable, and chickpea-based dishes.

Rastafarianism and Veganism

Rastafarianism is the youngest religion on this list, having developed in Jamaica throughout the 1930s. All the same, it’s worth mentioning because, in a way, it can be seen as more of a contemporary to veganism than a predecessor.

From the English word ‘vital,’ Ital food is eaten by several groups within the Rastafari faith. Almost all Ital diets are either vegetarian or vegan, though some do include fish.

The Ital diet descends from a belief that all food should be a natural product and that we can preserve the earth through natural living.

It’s worth mentioning that, although these cultures inspired many modern vegan ideas, they are still very much around today. The beliefs and ideas that have inspired secular veganism are still held by many people worldwide, either as a part of their faith, culture, or ethics.

While we might all have our differences, it’s good to remember that we are united by a compulsion to do what we feel is right so that together we can help to build a more peaceful and compassionate world.