What it's Like to Go on an Eco-Friendly, All-Vegan Tour in India (by Kayla Hill)

"Growing interest in cruelty-free lifestyle sees firms keen to offer trips to destinations that explore less popular tourist areas and offer genuine interactions with locals."

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What it's like to go on an eco-friendly, all-vegan tour in India

India to Become First Cruelty-free Cosmetics Zone in South Asia

A historic victory for animals came as India bans the import of animal tested cosmetics. Coming just a few months after implementation of a national ban on cruel cosmetics testing in India's labs, the import ban now makes India the first cruelty-free cosmetics zone in South Asia and an example for other nations to follow.

The ban comes in the form of Rule 135-B that states, "Prohibition of import of cosmetics tested on animals. No cosmetic that has been tested on animals after the commencement of Drugs and Cosmetics (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2014 shall be imported into the country." The notification will come into effect on November 13, 2014 (30 days from the date of notification).

The Mystical Cat

There are very few cats left in India. Narikauravas, a group of wandering gypsies, eat them in south India—as they eat squirrels and other small animals. In the North, cats are killed and passed off as chicken. While many Indians keep dogs, very few keep cats.

Cats are a mystical animals with a long and colorful history as a companion for humans. 

There is an entire branch of prediction called Ailuromancy (from the Greek ailouros), which is divination using cats' movements to predict future events. Cats are supposed to be able to see the human aura or life force that is invisible to human eyes and predict ill health or even death. Kittens born in May are supposed to have special supernatural powers.

Here are some unusual historical superstitions and omens pertaining to cats from all over the world.

Cat Predictions

A cat sleeping with all its paws tucked under its body foretells of rain on the way.

If the cat is curled up on the ground with its forehead touching the ground it means stormy weather is coming.

A cat sneezing once is said to indicate rain; a cat sneezing three times indicates that the humans of the household will catch a cold.

A cat washing its face on your front doorstep foretells of a visit from a member of the priesthood.

Finding a white hair on a black cat brings good luck.

A cat placed into the empty cradle of a newlywed couple will lead to conception--providing that the cat doesn't jump right back out.

Cats coming into the house foretell of birth and fertility.

If a tortoiseshell cat features in your dreams, you will be lucky in love.

If a cat washes its face in front of a gathering of people, the first person that the cat looks at afterwards will be the first to marry.

If you willfully kill a cat, you will automatically forfeit your soul to the devil. Whoever kills a cat will never have good luck.

If a cat is following you it means money is coming your way.

Carrying a cat over a stream or other body of running water is bad luck.

If you see a one-eyed cat, spit on your thumb before pressing it into the middle of your opposite palm while making a wish. Your wish should come true.

If you rub a cat's fur backwards, you'll soon get into a fight.

If the cat washes behind her ear, a stranger will appear. If a cat washes it's ear three times, you can expect a visitor from the direction that it's looking. 

If a cat is grooming itself and puts its paw around its right ear, it means a gentleman is coming; left ear, a lady is coming to visit.

If a man dreams of a cat and the cat scratches him, his sweetheart will be a spiteful termagant. If a woman dreams the same, she has a rival.

A cat following you means money is coming your way.

If you chase away a cat from your house, bad luck is sure to befall you.

If a cat sneezes the day before a wedding, the marriage will be happy.

Other Animals Observed for Predictions

Human beings are so anxious to know the future that they will use anything for prophecy. 

Alectryomancy means divination by means of a cock, encircled by grains of corn placed on the letters of the alphabet which are then put together in the order in which the grains were eaten .This was done by the Greeks. 

Hippomancy, which means prediction based on a horse's pace or neighing, was practiced by the Celts, who had a horse goddess named Epona. 

Myomancy is predicting events through the movements of rats--a practice in Egypt and Assyria. 

And finally, Orniscopy is telling the future through the movement and formation of birds in flight and was started by the Greeks who believed that birds were instruments of gods sent specially for this purpose.

(source: eKantipur.com)

Religious Animal Liberation Quotes

“The greatest progress of righteousness among men comes from exhortation in favour of non-injury to life and abstention from killing living beings.” 

(Asoka, 3^rd century Buddhist emperor, as quoted in Steven Rosen, "Food for the Spirit-Vegetarianism and the World’s Religions" – New York: Bala Books, 1987). P. 80)

“We, the Christian leaders, practice abstinence from the flesh of animals to subdue our bodies......the unnatural eating of flesh-meat is polluting.” 

(St. John Chrysostam, 4^thcentury Father of Eastern Church, as quoted in Steven Rosen, "Food for the Spirit-Vegetarianism and the World’s Religions" – New York: Bala Books, 1987). P. 18)

“And remember; when you hunt and kill,

Your punishment will depend

on where [on the scale of evolution]

you have struck your blade-high or low!...

You are not a vulture, to stoop on carcasses,

And do not, like a crow,

Dip your feet in others’ blood.

Even if your hunger has reduced you to a mere skeleton-

Bloodless like a picture image-

You will, at least, be spared the punishments

Of a carcass eater.” 

(Nizaami Ganjavee, 12^th century Sufi poet, Original translation by Shiv Singh Dhatt of Nizam Ganjavi, Makhzan-i Azrar (Kanpur, India, Munshi Naval Kishore Press, 1872, p. 123, 185)

“You violently slaughter animals

And claim it to be in keeping

with the cannons of your creed.

But when God places before you

The record of your cruel deeds,

What will your fate be?” 

(Kabir, 15^th century Indian mystic)

Animals and World Religions

In this wide-ranging and perceptive study, Lisa Kemmerer shows how spiritual writings and teachings in seven major religious traditions can help people to consider their ethical obligations toward other beings.

Dr. Kemmerer examines the role of nonhuman animals in scripture and myth, in the lives of religious exemplars, and by drawing on foundational philosophical and moral teachings. She begins with a study of indigenous traditions around the world, then focuses on the religions of India (Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain) and China (Daoism and Confucianism), and finally, religions of the Middle East (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

 

At the end of each chapter, Kemmerer explores the inspiring lives and work of contemporary animal advocates who are motivated by a personal religious commitment.

Animals and World Religions demonstrates that rethinking how we treat nonhuman animals is essential for anyone claiming one of the world's great religions.