Because to them it is a sacred animal that represents the mother. As to what happens if they eat it I'm not sure. I think it's like what happens to Muslims who eat pork.

"People who practice the Hindu religion don’t eat meat from animals. They also avoid foods that may have caused pain to animals during manufacture. ‘Karma’ is believed to be the spiritual load we accumulate or relieve ourselves of during our lifetime. Animals are believed to have spiritual awareness. If a Hindu consumes animal flesh, they accumulate the Karma of that act - which will need to be balanced through good actions and learning in this life or the next. Depending on the level of adherence to this belief, in many cases beef is forbidden..." In keeping with the aim to avoid violence or pain to any living thing, vegetarianism is advocated, but not compulsory. Prohibited animal products tend to vary from one country or region to the next; for example, duck and crab may be forbidden in one geographical location, but not in another. While beef is forbidden, dairy products including milk, butter and yogurt are considered to enhance spiritual purity. Source and more information here: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Food_culture_and_religion?OpenDocument

Hindus believe we should not hurt any living thing. In fact there are many orthodox hindus who are not only vegetarian but also do not eat root vegetables like Onions. The idea being that when you eat a root vegtable you have to kill the plant. So it is preferred to eat fruits and vegetables which can be plucked from the trees without killing the plant. Now as far as Cow is concerned, perhaps it has something to do with our diet. Milk and milk products are a very important part of our diet. And a dead cow gives no milk. Besides, according to the hindu mythology, there was once a cow, named kamdhenu, which never ran dry of milk and hence anyone in its vicinity never went hungry. Because the cow was said to be responsible for feeding the entire humanity, she became sacred. And since all cows are seen as children of this mother cow, hence the reluctance of hindus to killing cows. However, let me clarify, it is not absolutely forbidden to eat cows or other animals. The scriptures advise people to refrain from eating animals. They do not make it mandatory. In fact, that is the best part of hinduism. You can practice it in any whichever way and still remain a hindu. As to what happens when they eat cow, the scriptures say that when man starts eating cow, the world and its morals will start deteriorating. So if a hindu eats a cow, he/she will be contributing to making this world an even worse place to live in. That is when a hindu eats a cow, the world becomes a little less nice. And since the world is already going to hell, a billion hindus, by not eating the cow, are only trying to slow this process. Because, eventually, when there is no more goodness left in the world, it will come to an end (that's what the scriptures say). Hence, you should be thankful to the Hindus. Because of them you will not experience the doomsday in your lifetime. Enjoy!

It depends. Many Hindus eat meat if their varna (classification based on action, NOT by birth) isn't Brahmin (priest). A lot of Hindus also abstain from meat, including the cow. The cow is considered the perfect example of humility since it gives us its nutrients without hesitation (notice how easily we can milk a cow). This is why it's considered sacred. So, some Hindus eat meat (including cows). Some Hindus abstain from all meat. Finally, some Hindus eat all meat besides the meat of a cow due to the fact that it's sacred. Really, it's all up to you. Hinduism is more spiritual than religious. As in, it has less rules and is more mystic than the common religion.

The word "Hinduism" is generalised name for beliefs, spiritual practices and soical codes, given by the outsiders. We ourselves believe it as "Sanatana Dharma" or Ancient Dharma. Cow is considered as mother since ancient times. Killing it for food is considered a sin. If some one eats meat of Cow, he breaks the belief of millions of followers of Hindu Dharma. I am a vegetarian by birth, I do not eat any meat. It is a faith or belief. Many practices out of faith cannot be explianed or answered "why?" Nowadays many who claim to be Hindus take any thing and every thing available for the sake of taste.Non-violence comes out of compassion towards all living beings. If we could follow some thing good why can't we retain it?

Most of the Hindus in Kerala southern State in India eat meat including cows

There are 6 other persons who are guilty in the meat-eating sin: 1.Those who sell the meat. 2. Those who buy the meat. 3. those who prepare the meat-dish. 4. those who raise the animals for slaughter 5. those who slaughter the animals. 6. those who eat the flesh.

people base their arguments without having any knowledge,the topic that we are discussing is on religion, means in hinduism cow is permitted to eat or not. the best answer to the question is to refer to the authentic sources from which the religion is based.it does not make proof of what a "rahul" says about hinduism or a "rafiq" says about islam. if u want to see what hinduism says refer to vedas,puranas,upanishads etc.and what islam says refer to their holy books quran and the hadeeth. as far as in hinduism is concerned there are numerous proofs which permits of having a cow and more than that too! if u read bhagvat gita anushasan parva chapter no.88 in that a long list of animals is given including cow to have it. in hinduism even we can have pork too.in the above list even this is mentioned. the way today a common hindu of ours prohibit or oppose is not based on religious knowledge from the scriptures it is based on just heard from their parents and the surrounding in which they are raised. for example "idol worship" is strictly prohibited in hinduism,this is supported by infinite verses of the vedas,purnanas,upanishads,bhagvat gita,and the law books of hinduism like the manusmriti.but yet we find probably there is not a single temple which is not free from idol which is made by man himself with their hansds. all this matters are raised up and confusion and differences arrise is due to lack of knowledge of the various religion. so we need to study the authentic scriptures of the religion to know what the religion says about itself.not any "rahul" or "rafiq" says about it we dont want to beleive them unless it is authentic. thax.....

Hindu Spirituality is understanding,knowing and feeling the root and the basis of every thing at the very core of our Hindu being. Not respecting something or some one is below the dignity of being a human in the view of a Hindu- in our most sensible state, we tend not to do things that are unnecessary, unorderly or hurtful and that is our real Self; unfortunately, we get so caught up that we hardly feel calm & peaceful and end up doing things we wouldnt otherwise. Vegetarianism is born from this sort of thinking that it is not necessary to inflict pain and interfere with a being's fredom to live. Cow's milk is next only to mother's milk in terms of fat content or spiritual purity. Cow eats grass, helps in the farm and gives milk for our daily consumption. If we love our pets so much, how much should we love an animal that offers us food (milk) while living? Cow has been integrated into so much of religious storylife of a Hindu that Cows have a special place similar to a mother - so killing cows and eating meet is unthinkable for hindus. Indian Aurvedic medicine and Spirituality advise against eating meat in general. Eating is directly mapped to the type of thoughts and nature of the mind in Hindu spirituality. Mind control through thought purification, character upliftment and Self Realization are higher goals for a Hindu seeker and much of information against eating meat in general comes from the spiritual seers.

I know a few Hindus myself, who does so, although it is forbidden in their religion, because of a Myth that when Goddess Laxmi (The Hindu Goddess of Wealth) came to earth, she has nowhere to go, then she took shelter in the dung of a cow.. since then the dung is called "Gobardhan" (Gobar meaning Dung and Dhan meaning Wealth), Following this Myth, the dungs of the cow, and the cow itself has been considered sacred. ( The dung is used in many purposes, in pooja(worshipping), while sanitizing houses (read Huts)whose floors are made of clay, and in cooking by some poor families. Nothing happens if a Hindu eats beef, many does.

Hinduism teaches not to harm any livingthing.Hindus cant eat any kind of flesh.They workship nature.

The cow is a very sacred being to the Hindu faith

Most Hindus do not eat cows because they are a sacred animal. They are venerated as mothers (giving milk), and are a representation of the Mother Goddess. They are also sacred to Krisha - a popular Avatar (incarnation) of the God Vishnu. Contrary to many of the answers given, not all Hindus are vegetarian. I'd say a little over half (from the 10 months I lived in India).

when i asked a teacher of mine, recently, she said Indians prefer not to eat cows because cows are like step-mothers to all humans. cows give us milk. think of the orphan child who's mother has just died... a cow's milk sustains this child. so ya... =/

It is a social taboo so we do not eat it.Since most of the people have answered from the religious point of view, I would rather say that our forefathers prohibited us to eat cow meat. Nothing would happen if we eat that, unless and until there are religious bindings. In most of our religious ceremonies we sprinkle and taste cow's urine, coz it is supposedly holy!The current breed of youngsters do not care much for such things.The Hindus do not attend temples regularly like the muslims or christians attend their places of worship.So knowledge has not percolated down to the younger generation the way it should have.Hinduism teaches tolerance so we learn from everyone what they teach in their religion too. We attend churches and go to mosques too(Mahim Church and Haji Ali in Mumbai)

1) "Hindus advocate the practice of ahiṃsā (non-violence) and respect for all life because divinity is believed to permeate all beings, including plants and non-human animals. The term ahiṃsā appears in the Upanishads, the epic Mahabharata and Ahiṃsā is the first of the five Yamas (vows of self-restraint) in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. In accordance with ahiṃsā, many Hindus embrace vegetarianism to respect higher forms of life. While vegetarianism is not a requirement, it is recommended for a satvic (purifying) lifestyle. Estimates of the number of lacto vegetarians in India (includes inhabitants of all religions) vary between 20% and 42%. The food habits vary with the community and region, for example some castes having fewer vegetarians and coastal populations relying on seafood. Some Hindus avoid onion and garlic, which are regarded as rajasic foods. Some avoid meat on specific holy days. Observant Hindus who do eat meat almost always abstain from beef. The largely pastoral Vedic people and subsequent generations relied heavily on the cow for protein-rich milk and dairy products, tilling of fields and as a provider of fuel and fertilizer. Thus it was identified as a caretaker and a maternal figure. Hindu society honors the cow as a symbol of unselfish giving. Cow-slaughter is legally banned in almost all states of India." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism#Ahimsa_and_vegetarianism 2) "Most major paths of Hinduism hold vegetarianism as an ideal. There are three main reasons for this: the principle of nonviolence (ahimsa) applied to animals; the intention to offer only "pure" (vegetarian) food to a deity and then to receive it back as prasad; and the conviction that non-vegetarian food is detrimental for the mind and for spiritual development. Nonviolence is a common concern of all the vegetarian traditions in Hinduism; the other two aspects are relevant for those who follow special spiritual paths. Many Vaishnavas, especially Gaudiya Vaishnavas follow a strict vegetarian diet, abstaining from meat, fish and eggs. They also abstain from garlic and onions, because these foods stimulate the central nervous system and disturbe meditation. However, the food habits of Hindus vary according to their community and according to regional traditions. Hindu vegetarians usually eschew eggs but consume milk and dairy products, so they are lacto-vegetarians. " Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_vegetarianism

Cow is a sacred animal it gives us milk and it is also against the religon

Actually not only cow but a real yogi wont eat meat of any animal. Reason is yogi wants to meditate till enlightment. For meditation , one has to make his mind totally peaceful. So any thing which is heavy to digest,produces acidity or gas, hinders in meditation.So not only meat most of hindus & budh & Jains avoid eating onion, garlic, chillies , pepper etc. They also believe that when the animal is killed he gets angry, frightened etc ,This produces bad harmons in it & & these act like poison for meditation. However in emmergency or unknowingly- eating meat is allowed in hinduism. while jains are very strict. They may die but won't eat meat . In hinduism also-- many bengalies or kashmiries pandits eat meat, as per their old traditions. Sikhism is a marshal religion, derived from hinduism to save hindus in old times of invasions . They being marshals freely take meat. Once a Yogi went to one of his followers home on invitation. The follower tabled fish etc, which yogi ate without any expression & continued his religious disccussions. Another rich follower, who was very fond of meat, eggs fish etc saw this. He was surprised & very happy to see a yogi taking fish. He immidiately extended his invitation to yogi, with intention of give a grand non-veg feast. Yogi accepted his invitation also & went to his house. That rich man tabled all good receipies & again yogi started taking non-veg dishes continuing his religious discourses. But that rich man boasting about his dishes said "yogiji you did not tell earlier that you take non-veg dishes also.I have specially got this dish for you & started boasting abt his non-veg-dishes.Suddenly the yogi left his meals , stood up & shouted in anger"what , u are offering me non-veg dishes. I do not take non-veg...." The rich man was perplexed " sir but u took non-veg in previous dinner". The yogi replied " I might have taken but not knowingly. Once you give more importance to meals than to meditation, that becomes un-touchable"-- SAT_OMKAR GROUP-manager- "ASTROLOGER-ABC" http://iYOUwe.com (religion-groups)

As per the Hinduism they worships cow as mother. Hinduism use to call father of world that is God Shiva he rides on Bull and her wife Goddess Parvati rides in Cow. So as far as I am concern that cow is innocent animal. One more thing which depends on yr culture. Most of Hindus are Vegemite. Even they don't eat meat, eggs, sea food so they don't eat cow. As i had read some where that Muslim don't eat pig.. don't know y? because different religion has different beliefs.. u can not force some for that food whether what they have to eat and what they don't?

Buddhism destroyed the practice of animal sacrifice of Vedic religion which used to be performed by Brahmans of that time (600 -400 BC). Brahmans have to compromise with Buddhism and stopped animal sacrifice and eating animals ultimately lost their lively hood. Then Brahmans have manipulated Vedic religion to new religions called Vaishnavism and Shaivism with new practices of idol worship and later on added avatars and many more deities.

Buddhism destroyed the practice of animal sacrifice of Vedic religion which used to be performed by Brahmans of that time (600 -400 BC). Brahmans have to compromise with Buddhism and stopped animal sacrifice and eating animals ultimately lost their lively hood. Then Brahmans have manipulated Vedic religion to new religions called Vaishnavism and Shaivism with new practices of idol worship and later on added avatars and many more deities.