Acharya Prashant discusses the historical and cultural relationship between humans and nature, noting that while dairy consumption was once considered harmonious, the modern dairy industry has become a significant source of suffering. He asserts that if spiritual figures like Gautam Buddha or Mahavir Swami were alive today, they would strongly oppose the current practices of animal agriculture and dairy production due to their core teachings of non-violence and compassion. He highlights that India's foundation in compassion has historically kept a large portion of its population vegetarian, a trend that persists today. He points out that India's low per capita meat consumption is not merely due to economic factors, as neighboring countries with similar or lower per capita incomes, such as Pakistan and Nepal, consume significantly more meat. This suggests a unique cultural and religious commitment to non-violence within India that transcends financial status.
