The article questions whether or not vegetarianism should be a "rule" that is required or forced on students at the school.

Society "forces" rules on people every day when we say it is wrong to murder, lie, steal, cheat, pollute the environment, etc. Moral issues are issues like those which harm others -- they are not just personal preferences. Meat-eating is a moral issue in the same way-- i.e., in order to eat meat you have to harm others, which no one has a right to do.

Since eating meat is unnecessary to health and
causes enormous pain and suffering to animals, we shouldn't do it. Thus, the school is acting morally by establishing the vegetarian policy.

As for "alientating the wider group" (of meat-eaters) who could benefit from the school-- they should just give up meat if they want to benefit from the school.

Posted by: Phil Os | November 29, 2007 10:01 PM

I think you are being a bit cynical about the school's motives for demanding vegetarianism. This is a practice followed by lots of Hindus (not just Hare Krishna). Having to be serious about following one of the practices of Hinduism instead of just pretending to be religious to join the school seems fair enough to me.

My friend has just had her son baptised at the age of three in order to go to a catholic nursery school. I find this practice, which is widespread, disapointing to say the least. My friend's little boy is at a school which expounds christian teaching and values, only to have no experience of this in his home life, which will be a bit odd for him.

At least the vegetarian "rule" means the religion is to be practiced out of school.

Posted by: Flo | November 30, 2007 11:31 AM

I vote yes, if one want to be in a hindu school they should be a strict hindu, and not just in name only.

Posted by: Shivaya Patel | December 1, 2007 3:16 PM

I'm all for the 'Veggie only' rule the Krishna Avanti school is advocating. At last someone is putting compassion for ALL God's creatures as a pre-requisite for participation. If other so called Hindu's can't come up to that standard then what are they teaching their children. The school at the Hare Krishna Temple already specifies vegetarianism as a condition of entry for the students AND their parents. This is a step in the right direction in a world where animals are just treated as a commodity to be exploited, not as sentient beings.
I applaud the Avanti school and the Krishna school for following the true principles of Sanatan dharma and suggest ALL Hindus take their good example to heart.
Vegetarianism is the way forward for mankind (the way of a Kind Man)and these schools are leading the way. If people are put off by this rule of entry or think it's unfair, then all that's happened is their own meateating lifestyle has been brought into question, and isn't that what we as vegetarians want.
Well done Krishna Avanti, well done Hare Krishna.
You get my full vote and support.

Posted by: Dave | December 2, 2007 9:59 AM

As a Hare Krishna devotee whose children all went to the school at Bhaktivedanta Manor I'm glad to see this rule in place at the Krishna Avanti school. Not so that there is a bias towards entry for devotee children, no, I support it because it is the right moral policy for a Hindu school.
So many Hindus are not following the basic restrictions of diet that make one an actual Hindu, one not just in name. One has to teach by example not just with words. This new school is teaching a lifestyle that ALL Hindu's should be strictly following anyway.
All my children benefitted from growing up as strict vegetarians. They are happier, healthier, and more compassionate because of it. Indeed my eldest son, now 20 years old is in Vrndavan, Lord Krishna's own childhood home right now loving his life as a devotee. You only have one chance to raise your children properly, and if you believe that compassion is a quality worthy of teaching them, then support the Krishna Avanti schools policy of Ahimsa or non-violence with your heart and soul.
You may say that I'm bias in my opinion and I would agree, I'm bias towards the MILLIONS of animals that are needlessly slaughtered each day for NO good reason.
If one school can teach the next generation compassion, then it has my wholehearted support. If one school can make us question our values, then it has my approval.
If one school can stir up debate as to the real nature of being a Hindu, then it has my voice.
Love to ALL God's creatures.
Dwarakadisa das.

Posted by: Dwarakadisa das | December 2, 2007 10:34 AM