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| Do you eat meat? |
| Yes |
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65% |
[ 117 ] |
| No |
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34% |
[ 62 ] |
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| Total Votes : 179 |
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 Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:06 am
I'm a vegetarian because of Buddhism, but not for the same reason as what is suggested. I agree that plants are also concious and aware, just as much as animals, even though they cannot respond in the same way.
I became vegetarian just to try it and see if it's true about the health reasons behind it. I don't feel much different healthwise, but that's not why I continue. I used to not think I ate much meat, but by becoming vegetarian I am now much more aware of what I'm eating. This brings me more into the present moment and even the workings of my own body.
Since becoming vegetarian, I've cut down on so much other junk that I used to eat. It's helped me with my Buddhist practice just by forcing me to become more aware.
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:14 pm
Akanishi Makoto I was a vegetarian. How it pertains to Buddhism is that all things carry the same essence that we do, and that to eat another "living being" such as an animal, is to destroy that essence and that volition. The inherent problem is that plants are also alive, so although they are not conscious, they are not without volition. I know almost for fact that the Buddha Shakyamuni allowed all of his disciples to eat meat if it was offered to them, as long as the meat and the offering met certain criteria. 1 - the animal could not have been slaughtered primarily for the monks consumption, 2 - the monks could not witness the slaughter or 3 - hear the cries of the animal during the killing. So, considering that Shakyamuni allowed it for his monks, then it would be OK for many of us to eat. Now, exactly how should we approach meat? I, for one, will not order anything containing meat. I will not purchase any meat or meat products in the supermarket. That meat is slaughtered almost exclusively for someone's consumption, and by virtue of me buying it, it becomes an animal slaughtered exclusively for my consumption. I am not a monk, by the way, but I live to the precepts. Anyway - I will eat what is offered to me at a meal either with family or with friends. Even if it's ordered by them for me, then that's fine, but I will not actively persue meat. On the other end of the spectrum - strict vegetarians are subject to one of the three poisons, aversion, because they actively avoid the meat. The whole point is to be passive and compassionate. That's our ultimate goal in all actions, so we need to remember these things when we make even the smallest decision. I concur with you. I have however participated in the killing and eating of a cow... it was live or die at that point; quite literally. I will always be grateful to that cow. Without her me and my pack would have certainly died of starvation.
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:05 pm
although i do eat meat now, i WAS a vegetarian for about almost a year a while back.
it wasnt so bad.
it has opened my mind a whole lot.
before then, i would be very picky about my food.
now, i'm very open minded.
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:05 pm
i say i usually eat things that are not meat but im usually ok with meat if its offered and the animal was used all up and not wasted as longg as its not wasted i love to eat plants i can live without meat cause my parents never makes like beef and pork but usually fish fish is the only meat i would eat a lot of
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Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:49 pm
Yep, I'm vegetarian. But I was a vegetarian before I was a Buddhist. But my Buddhism has just reinforced my vegetarianism.
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:54 pm
I am not a vegetarian, although I have been thinking about it. My mother, who is vegetarian, says that it would be very good for my body. I would agree with her, but right now, my body is developing, and if only consume plants, it may affect your growth. I have pondered for a while, but not eating meat affects me because I accustomed to it, so I'm going to wait until I'm an adult to start changing my eating habits.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:21 pm
I'v been a vegetarian most of my life, it's not that I just feel bad for the horrible conditions animals are put into, and even if their in good conditions, they were still murdered. But really, I just find it gross to eat them. I don't want them rotting in my stomach.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:20 pm
Many good Buddhists eat meat and the Buddha himself was not a vegetarian. Tibetan Buddhists in particular have no choice because the ground is rocky and hard and livestock is pretty much the only abundant food. It is true that by eating meat you are supporting the slaughter of sentient animals, but by eating only vegetables you are also supporting the killing of sentient bugs because the farmer has to spray insecticide to kill the insects that prey on plants. Killing plants themselves is not bad karma because they are not sentient and therefore cannot attain enlightenment.
The Buddha said:
‘Being rough, pitiless, back-biting, harming ones friends,
being heartless, arrogant and greedy –
this makes one impure, not the eating of meat.
Being of immoral conduct, refusing to repay debts,
cheating in business, causing divisions amongst people –
This makes one impure, not the eating of meat.’ Sn.246-7
It is impossible to live without somehow incidentally supporting the slaughter of animals. Many everyday things that you use have been made with animal products. Although unfortunate, this just reaffirms the First Noble Truth which states that ordinary life is suffering and unsatisfying.
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 10:00 am
Bogwai I am not a vegitarian but is there a prayer or something you can do in Buddhism to apologize, justify, etc. before eating meating meat? (somewhat like the prayer said in the morning, I forget the name, where you say a prayer before you step on the ground because you kill insects when you walk) Preferably threvada, which I am most likely deciding on becoming. Well, I know of a saying of grattitude that is said before every meal in Japan. It has developed more into a cultural norm, but it has its roots in Buddhism. Before a meal, hands are placed together and "itadakimasu" is recited. Literally it can mean "I am about to recieve". The spirit behind the saying is grattitude to those who were involved in preparing the meal, but also to the life that was given to provide the meal as well. At the end of the meal, there is a special way of saying thank you that is only used when finishing a meal. "Gochio-sama deshita" is recited which means "thank you for the meal". It may also be funny to add that Sumo wrestlers use a diffrent form of formal speech when they speak, and when they say "thank you" to anything they are litterally saying "thank you for the meal" smile It sounds something like "Goch-san desu" xd I remember a visiting minister giving a sermon about this and he mentioned that if you were a true buddhist, you should say "Gochiso-sama deshita" asfter your go to the bathroom too! rofl He was joking of course.
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Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:46 pm
I am a vegan and currently atheist, if i had to say, but like to meditate sometimes and I am very interested in the teachings of Buddha but would never want to adopt a religion ever again.I have been a vegan for approximately 9 months and it has completely changed my life. It affects my mood for the better and it has given me more respect for all life and an open mind.
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 4:42 pm
I don't eat any meat and I avoid dairy for health reasons. But if I would die if I didn't eat meat then I would eat meat, but the whole not taking another beings life comes to mind when I think of why I don't eat meat. Plus it's healthier.
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Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 9:42 pm
I AM a vegetarian. I was a vegetarian before I became a Buddhist, but allow me to explain the chain of events that led up to this.
I began meditation sessions every once in a while and adopted some new beliefs once I gave them spiritual-logical thought. I believe that everyone has a spiritual 'guide' in this world and the spiritual world can affect our world. I feel that the spiritual world was pushing me to continue meditation and was subliminally lead into the ways of Buddhism. My aunt who has been my main spiritual teacher would go looking for gifts for me and anytime she would look, she would be drawn toward Buddhist symbols. She bought me a Dragon and Phoenix necklace that I wear 99% of the time. I only take it off to sleep and to shower. It is supposed to be a Buddhist symbol as indicated by the package that gave a description of it. After that I became a vegetarian and did a little research to find that most Buddhists are vegetarian. Also, I've been a pacifist for years. Then one night I was meditating and received a taste of enlightenment. It was brief and felt wonderful. The next session, I hit the longest one so far. I'm sure that every meditation session after I have my taste is going to be closer to the thing we all seek. So as you can see, kinda got brought into it. And I enjoy it so much. ^-^
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Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:16 pm
Quote: "I'd like to consider my self a vegetarian, but I also eat seafood, considering I live in an area where seafood is almost always the main course of a dinner, and dairy products. Occasionally I will eat chicken and alligator because my family cooks it." ^(post I made in 2006)^ I've finally been able to do it. I just recently became a vegetarian. By recently, I mean this past week. I figure that it will help me be a better Buddhist and also help me in my goal for a better and healthier lifestyle (which is something I really need). Now that I'm back in the university I was going to, I'm able to choose what I eat. So far I've felt better and not as drained after eating a meal. smile
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Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:56 pm
I eat meat when it is presented to me, but I don't actively get it for myself.
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Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:07 pm
I've been a vegetarian for about 17 years now, I think. It never had anything to do with respect for life; I just think it's utterly disgusting to put the flesh, skin, muscle tissue, etc. of a living thing in your mouth and call it food. I can't stand the smell or sight of it.
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