Final answer:
Buddhism is the religion that most explicitly discourages the consumption of animal products, following the principles of non-violence and compassion for all sentient beings. Hinduism and Jainism also encourage vegetarianism, but to different extents and for various reasons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The religion that discourages the consumption of animal products most explicitly is Buddhism. Buddhists follow the teachings of Buddha which encourage leading a moral life by accepting the four Noble Truths. The first of these, 'life is suffering,' can be linked directly to the consumption of animals, as it involves causing suffering to other sentient beings. Consequently, many Buddhists adhere to vegetarianism as a means to reduce harm and suffering. In the practice of the 'middle way,' Buddhists are encouraged to live in moderation, which often includes refraining from consuming animal products.
Other religions like Hinduism and Jainism also encourage vegetarianism among their followers due to spiritual beliefs, reverence for life, and non-violence principles. However, in Jainism, the practice of not consuming animal products is more strict and universally applied than in Hinduism, where there is greater diversity in dietary practices among adherents. While some Christians, Muslims, and members of other religions may choose to avoid animal products for various reasons, such dietary restrictions are not universally prescribed within these faiths as they are in Buddhism and Jainism.