Jainism is one of India’s three ancient religions (alongside Buddhism and Hinduism). Jains believe in equality for all forms of life and are devoted to the welfare of every being in the universe.
Jainism teaching extends to the food they eat; Jains are strict vegetarians and their lifestyle in general minimises their use of the world’s resources. They believe that it’s not just humans who contain living souls – animals and plants do too.
Food that is forbidden in the strictest of Jain diets includes meat, fish, eggs, honey, root vegetables, garlic and onions. As vegetarians, Jains obviously do not eat any animal flesh but some Jains also choose to avoid milk, eggs and other dairy products. This is because they object to the inhumane way hens and dairy cows are often treated. Honey is also not allowed because Jains believe the way it is harvested is harmful to honey bees.
Unlike vegans and vegetarians, Jains extend their definition of animals to include any ‘living being’ – and this includes bacteria and other microorganisms. To this end, potatoes and other root vegetables must not be consumed for fear of killing bacteria and insects when the vegetables are pulled from the ground.
Onions and garlic are often avoided as well, albeit for slightly different reasons. In Jain teaching they are considered ‘hot’ foods which may increase sexual desire. Only monks are required to remain strictly celibate, but other practicing Jains are expected to keep sex to within the confines of marriage.
There are also rules about not eating or drinking anything once the sun has gone down. The belief is that it could cause the death of microorganisms that come out at nightfall. Of course, the degree of strictness depends on the individual, but the Jain lifestyle is completely geared towards causing the least amount of harm to other creatures and the environment as a whole.
Fasting is common in Jain spirituality and is more often carried out by women than men. There are different types of fasting ranging from giving up all food and water for an extended period of time, to just giving up favourite foods. The monsoon period in India is a time of fasting in the Jain religion and it is a part of many Jain festivals. Some Jain monks will fast for six months at a time.
There are currently around 6 million followers of Jainism around the world, with more than 4 million attributed as living in India. The state of Maharashtra is home to the largest number of Jains in India – around 1 million Jains (1.3% of the state’s population).
Because Jainism is such an important part of India’s religious history and culture, many recipes in Maharashtra – and across Indian cuisine – are adapted for the Jain diet. But whether you are following a Jain diet or have other dietary requirements, you can sample some of the finest Indian dishes at one of London’s Indian restaurants. The chefs will always be happy to cater to your requests.
