Why arent Hindu's allowed to eat seaweed?

Question

On asking a friend to come and eat sushi, (as there are vegetarian options too, and sushi is delicious), i discovered my friend does not eat Seaweed because of her sector in Hinduism.
Although I've searched on the net, I cant seem to find why this is.. other than seaweed not coming under the division of a plant (as i thought it was).
If anyone can let me know why it is prohibited, i would be most grateful! thanks

Answer 1

OK; Since you re-asked the question I called a Friend that runs an Udipi restaurant to get his opinion (actually you got me curious anyway).

He'd never heard of this but offered two possibilities other than a 'white lie':

One is that she is actually a Jain; he thinks they avoid seaweed since it can involve the death of the plant which would violate ahimsa.

He also thinks that under the old caste system some castes had a prohibition against eating anything from the sea.

Both of those are his guesses but he did say that under Ayurveda medicine seaweed is considered as a sort of medicine and that may be why your friend doesn't want to eat it.

Why don't you nicely ask her for more details and tell us what she says! I'd guess based on your statement "because of her sector in Hinduism. " that she's still following the caste system and might be embarrassed by that.

I know I'd *really* like to know what she says!!!

Edit:

If you allowed YA anonymous email I'd ask you to mail me her answer.

Answer 2

different than for the possibility that she misunderstands what seaweed is, there is another explanation that i will think of of. There are some off-shoots of Hinduism that have subscribed to a vegetarian weight-help plan which restricts specific different meals to boot to that of a in many circumstances happening vegetarian, specifically onions and garlic (and in keeping with risk seaweed, i don't be attentive to). i've got faith that they might consume dairy, yet no longer eggs, and minimize different meals, at the same time with chilli. the explanation is with the help of eastern philosophies attributing distinctive properties to foodstuff which influence the temperament and the chakras (potential centres) in the physique. Onions and garlic are meant to stimulate the 'base' chakras, those related with sexual desire, and for a sect which commits to celebacy it rather is a no-no. They call it 'organic vegetarian' and curiously it rather is often understood in India. to make clean: you are able to consume seaweed and be Hindu. Hinduism is a historic previous of many historic traditions, and a few greater moderen sects.

Answer 3

part of a sub-set of Hinduism that restricts seaweed; the other is that she used that as an excuse to avoid going to a sushi restaurant in a manner that wouldn't offend you. I've gotten quite a few sushi fans quite angry when I've told them that I won't eat sushi from a non-vegetarian sushi bar

Answer 4

The only thing that I could find on the issue stated that the seaweed may contain tiny bits of seahorses. Whether this statement has any merit, I'm not sure.

Answer 5

go to ask this same question at yahooanswers India, the Hindus there might know. Actually many Hindus eat meat, but i suspect this one, a vegie, she may have been making up a tale to politely avoid sushi.Certain Hindu groups, eg Brahma Kumaris, wont eat chillis, garlic or onions lest they provoke passions..how can seaweed be like that?i doubt it..go to yahoo india and ask

Answer 6

maybe she is just trying to be polite, but doesnt like seaweed. not everyone does.

Answer 7

I dont know either I've never eaten sushie either i dont know y i dont try it

Answer 8

Didn't you ask this a few days ago?

Answer 9

it is against there lifestyle

Answer 10

because they don't do weed!!!!!!