If eating meat is best for health is it ok?
From a Jain perspective, eating meat is not acceptable. Jainism places ahimsa (non-violence) as the highest principle. Foods that require killing or harming living beings (animals) conflict with this principle, so a Jain diet is strictly vegetarian. Health considerations never justify causing injury to other beings in Jain ethics.
Key ideas to keep in mind:
- Ahimsa governs all choices about what we eat.
- Many Jain sects emphasize jiva (life) protection, so meat consumption is avoided.
- If you’re aiming for healthful living, Jainism offers alternatives like a balanced vegetarian diet, mindful eating, and proper fasting/rituals that align with dharma.
If you’d like, I can point you to specific Jain teachings or stotras that expound on ahimsa and dietary choices.