I had this in mind prior to reading your article. Prior to the birth western animal rights movement, the word "vegan" didn't exist.

My family is Jamaican, so I grew up hearing the word "ital" a lot. The more recent movement also has different rules. I currently live in Taiwan, where some people are vegan/vegetarian for religious reasons. Buddhist vegetarian also means no onions and garlic. My Taiwanese friend calls it being a "true vegetarian," which could spark some disagreements by westerners, but fact remains that their brand of veganism/vegetarianism existed long before Donald Watson's brand of it.

One key difference between mainstream veganism and those who are vegan due to spiritual reasons is that mainstream vegans are more aggressive with trying to convert everyone whereas Rastas, Hindus Jains, and Buddhists are generally less aggressive and evangelical about their animal-free lifestyles. A lifestyle free of animal products is only one piece of the puzzle. The other guidelines tend to hold more weight than diet as there are people of these beliefs who do consume animal products. For example, I know Rastas that consume fish. In the 12 Tribes sect of Rastafari, they're not as strict about dietary guidelines and allow meat consumption whereas Bobo Ashantis are very strict about diet (and appearance) rules. These believes are more open to making adaptations, especially since followers of these beliefs may live in areas where being vegan or vegetarian makes zero sense (eg Buddhists and Hindus living in the Himalayas at an elevation where it's too cold to grow many plant-based foods).