What exactly constitutes a 'cow' to Hindus?

[Richard]

Obviously domestic cattle (zebu and taurine cattle etc), are off the menu, but what about other (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovinae) bovinae? Say, American bison? What about a tasty bit of African buffalo?

[removeduser_426582376423734]

Anything bovine.

[Pivra]

ya, i wouldnt eat anything bovine... not even buffalos..

[Richard]

ya, i wouldnt eat anything bovine... not even buffalos..

So you can eat members of bovidae so long as they are not members of bovinae (wikipedia the terms)?

[Pivra]

So you can eat members of bovidae so long as they are not members of bovinae (wikipedia the terms)?

confusing.. lol... to eat beef or not is more like a choice.. i think.... because I personally believe that cows already provide us with many benefits and we should not kill the cows.... I know hindus who do eat cows tho, I think if you are not a Shivite... as in if you believe that Vishnu is the highest in the pantheon, then you dont really care... something like that...

[Dracula]

The cow is god or what exactly ?

[Pivra]

The cow is god or what exactly ?

no, but in the Purana and in Iconography, Shiva's beast is a cow.... he rides on a cow.... each Hindu god is on something.. for example.. a naga or a garuda = Vishnu ... a swan= Brahma..... Durga is on a lion or a tiger... Ganesh is on a throne of skull with a small rat in front of him... etc etc..Indra is on a three headed elephant...

[Richard]

confusing.. lol... to eat beef or not is more like a choice.. i think.... because I personally believe that cows already provide us with many benefits and we should not kill the cows.... I know hindus who do eat cows tho, I think if you are not a Shivite... as in if you believe that Vishnu is the highest in the pantheon, then you dont really care... something like that...

To throw another spanner in the works, I've recently found out that the mighty (I say, the MIGHTY) muskox is apparently more of a sheep/goat than a cow.

[dr_guerra]

Hindus are technically suppose to be wholly vegetarian. But lots of modern ones, especially westernized ones will eat chicken and seafood.

[Pivra]

Hindus are technically suppose to be wholly vegetarian. But lots of modern ones, especially westernized ones will eat chicken and seafood.

no... not really..........a manifestion of Shiva called Ruddha eats meat..

[dr_guerra]

no... not really..........a manifestion of Shiva called Ruddha eats meat..

Yeah but Shiva is a God, you're a mere mortal.

[fieldmarshal]

I was wondering, can a Hindu eat beef as a part of their diet and still be considered a good Hindu? I know a lot of Hindus who eat beef, but they still go to the temple and do the pooja etc. And why is it forbidden?, is the cow a God, or a manifestation of a god? or just the fact that it gives milk?

Thanks

[Pivra]

I was wondering, can a Hindu eat beef as a part of their diet and still be considered a good Hindu? I know a lot of Hindus who eat beef, but they still go to the temple and do the pooja etc. And why is it forbidden?, is the cow a God, or a manifestation of a god? or just the fact that it gives milk?

Thanks

lots of people do eat beef..... ... its not forbidden.. its just sensitivity issue... you know, cows cry the day before they take them to the slaughter house... they know..

[removeduser_426582376423734]

Cows are holier than other meats for many reasons. Most of them have to do with the common people - cows give milk, pull ploughs, offer fertilizer, etc. This largely secular respect for cows probably seeped through into religion and so respect became holiness.

[fieldmarshal]

oh, so its just a cultural thing, its not fully forbidden...interesting...sucks now i cant call my friends bad Hindus..haha

[Pivra]

oh, so its just a cultural thing, its not fully forbidden...interesting...sucks now i cant call my friends bad Hindus..haha

being a "Hindu" or "Buddhist" just really means you search for the truth, you do not even have to use the Divinity as the agent in search of the Truth as long as your deeds do not harm anyone , I like to say that instead of saying that the Gods or God are true...it is more appropriate to say that the Truth is God.... it is eternal and constant... it is unchanging ... while the rest changes..

[Axeman]

I love my dead slaughtered cows and viel too much to give up meat , sorry.

[Pivra]

I love my dead slaughtered cows and viel too much to give up meat , sorry.

then it is okay, I do not think that eating beef is a sin or evil....different people have different ideas and tastes .. like I dont like eating pork because its too chewy... but I like eating ham because its not as chewy..and more tender-ish kinda... lol

[Chaigidel]

actually certain sects of christianity revered the snake and had it kiss the bread and wine before the holy supper; and the serpent is seen as the first christ; and christ the redemption of the serpent nekesh.

snakes are almost universally viewed as good omens in all cultures but christian; and the culture from which the serpent was likely derived, also revered it when it was adopted into the faith.

because the serpent allowed us to know; fulfilling gods will; fulfilling a role similar to prometheus of greek culture.

[Pivra]

we say... If you dream about snake, soon you will find the love of your life.... lol