ABSTRACT
While theorizing veganism, Lori Gruen and Robert C. Jones in “Veganism as an Aspiration,” speak of two distinct ways of being vegan: one is a way of life that becomes an integral part of one’s identity, and the other is directly related to the question of aspiration. The ethical vegans adopt veganism as a lifestyle and are often dedicated to their struggle against all forms of cruelty and violence. But there is another form of veganism, called “Aspirational Veganism,” that views veganism not as a lifestyle or identity, but rather as a type of practice/process of eliminating or minimizing violence against and domination over the nonhuman other. There is, however, no rigid line of demarcation between these two forms of veganism; rather they intersect at a significant angle where both of them “oppose the systematic cruelty” to animals. This is precisely where the Buddhist ideas of dhamma (the path of spiritual awakening) and metta (loving-kindness) become relevant to Vegan Studies. Compassion and ahimsa (non-violence) are at the heart of Buddhist philosophy. The teachings of Buddha often categorically speak against animal-slaughter and critique all sorts of exploitation of sentient beings and even raise questions relating to animal welfare. In our present study of the Buddhist teachings available in The Dhammapada, Mahayana Sutras including Lankavatara Sutra, Mahaparinirvana Sutra, and Surangama Sutra, and the tales from Jataka, we explore that these teachings anticipate the essentialist notions of both “Identity” and “Aspiration” which are central to the thesis of Gruen and Jones.
