Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1997 11 YJA Regional Convention

Author(s): Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh

Page 94

In the past (before the birth of a high tech dairy farm) in India, the cows were treated like a part of the family, and after feeding the baby calf, leftover milk was consumed by humans. This may the reason why milk and its product is not considered violent in our scriptures.
As I learned about cruelty in the dairy industry, I at first found it hard to believe. On a personal level, I feared that it would be impossible for me to become vegan. How could I eliminate milk, yogurt, butter, ghee, and cheese from my diet? To become vegan means that I cannot drink tea with milk, eat any Indian sweets, pizza, milk chocolate, ice cream, eggless but dairy-containing cake, and many other items.
My daughter Shilpa always says, cows' milk is for baby cows and not for humans or their babies; no other animal consumes the milk of another species. We do not have the right to consume their milk for our benefit, and furthermore milk and its products are not essential for our survival.
However needless to say that the dairy farm tour made me an instant vegan.
Health Issue:
I was 55 years old when I became vegan. I had some concern that my health may suffer if I stop using dairy products. Following is the summary of my health data after I became vegan:
Before becoming vegan (1995)
After becoming vegan (1997)
Cholesterol
HDL Trigliceride
205
34
350
160
42
175
After becoming vegan I feel more energetic. I do not have any calcium deficiency. However, one should monitor his/her own body chemistry after becoming vegan. My doctor is very pleased with my results and has not put me on any vitamins or calcium substitutes.
I have also learned that the protein in animal products (such as milk, cheese or meat) is acidic. The body neutralizes it by drawing calcium, a base, from bones, causing diseases like osteoporosis.
However, vegetable protein is not acidic, and the calcium absorbed by consuming dark green vegetables and various other sources is absorbed and maintained by the bones at a much healthier rate. The end result is vegetarians who get their calcium from non-animal sources such as dark green vegetables develop stronger bones, but not weaker ones.
Religious view:
Nonviolence is the highest principle of our religion. However for our survival the religion permits certain minimum violence.
Our scriptures clearly indicate that:
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