Vegetarianism for Buddhists

[Cathy Hrusa]

Hi all! I'm somewhat familiar with some Buddhist principals and have been more and more interested in it over the past 2 or so years. I want to learn more obviously, but I'm open to following the 5 precepts at least. Anyhow, I've read so many conflicting things about following a vegetarian diet. I'm open to trying it, but want others' thoughts. I've read things like how the Dalai Lama isn't vegetarian and the Buddha wasn't either, but they encouraged it. What are everyone's opinions on it? My train of thought to go even further than not killing any sentient beings is that of the thought of reincarnation. This may be a stretch, but I don't like the thought of potentially eating someone's dead relative, if that makes sense. Disclaimer: I'm extremely new to all of this so please forgive me if my info is inaccurate. I look forward to your replies. Thanks for reading!

 

[YmirGF]

I do not identity as a Buddhist, but I certainly have been deeply influenced by Buddhist thought. For me, I see it more as an admonition to simply pay attention to what you put in your body and have a healthy diet of fresh foods with an emphasis on quality.

I will defer to our resident Buddhists however and a warm welcome to RF.

 

[crossfire]

I would start with meditation rather than diet.

Welcome to RF.

 

[Buddha Dharma]

Hi and welcome!

Vegtarianism is not incumbent on laymen, but it is on monks. The reason it is not total vegetarianism, is monks are allowed to accept meat given as a gift, not having asked for it. The Dalai Lama would not just eat meat on a whim. Only if it is given spontaneously in goodwill. This is because Buddhists shouldn't snuff out the virtue of generosity, or let the animal's life be wasted- since it has been offered to us.

The monks are default vegetarians. They are not to slaughter animals, or have animals slaughtered for them.

Now on to the laymen. Laymen were not compelled by our Lord Buddha to be vegetarian, but I have my own insights about why we should be. The first being that the Buddha did not think eating animals was ideal. He idealized Ahimsa. He thought violence against even mirco-life living in water was destructive. He prohibits monks to dump out water with larvae in it and other such instances- per the Vinaya (the monastic rules).

Therefore, it isn't hard to infer the Buddha preferred vegetarianism in his community. It's what he wanted us to bring about, but he was realistic about the world we live in. Sometimes other people in his culture, and our culture now- were quite fond of meat. They will eat it regardless, and it is not our karma if they do so. We also cannot compel them through force to stop, or that is destructive.

The layman should be vegetarian for a few reasons. The first being that when we give food to the monks- we won't be giving them the flesh of animals, which ideally they should not be eating. We also will be living as the Buddha thought most ideal and virtuous. We'll be stopping the slaughter of sentient beings on our parts.

The Buddha definitely believed vegetarianism was best. His words make that clear. I am a vegetarian because I believe him. I recognize he wanted slaughter of sentient life/animals to cease. As a layman choosing vegetarianism, I have voluntarily done what the Buddha wished for his community.

I only take meat under the conditions a monk would- if I did not buy, prepare, or ask for it in any way. That is the Buddha's ruling on when meat is not destructive karma on our parts. I think laymen need to be seriously reflecting and asking ourselves what our place is in society. We are the society. We effect the changes in it for better or worse.

My PERSONAL OPINION is that Buddhists- monks and lay, ought to be vegetarians. Except for the exception allowed by the Buddha for the monks. I cannot make anyone do so, however.

 

[Cathy Hrusa]

I would start with meditation rather than diet.

Welcome to RF.

I have started meditation. I've been doing it for months now. I guess I just want to go deeper into Buddhism. I'm still very much a newbie though and appreciate your advice. Thank you.

 

[Cathy Hrusa]

Hi and welcome!

Vegtarianism is not incumbent on laymen, but it is on monks. The reason it is not total vegetarianism, is monks are allowed to accept meat given as a gift, not having asked for it. The Dalai Lama would not just eat meat on a whim. Only if it is given spontaneously in goodwill. This is because Buddhists shouldn't snuff out the virtue of generosity, or let the animal's life be wasted- since it has been offered to us.

The monks are default vegetarians. They are not to slaughter animals, or have animals slaughtered for them.

Now on to the laymen. Laymen were not compelled by our Lord Buddha to be vegetarian, but I have my own insights about why we should be. The first being that the Buddha did not think eating animals was ideal. He idealized Ahimsa. He thought violence against even mirco-life living in water was destructive. He prohibits monks to dump out water with larvae in it and other such instances- per the Vinaya (the monastic rules).

Therefore, it isn't hard to infer the Buddha preferred vegetarianism in his community. It's what he wanted us to bring about, but he was realistic about the world we live in. Sometimes other people in his culture, and our culture now- were quite fond of meat. They will eat it regardless, and it is not our karma if they do so. We also cannot compel them through force to stop, or that is destructive.

The layman should be vegetarian for a few reasons. The first being that when we give food to the monks- we won't be giving them the flesh of animals, which ideally they should not be eating. We also will be living as the Buddha thought most ideal and virtuous. We'll be stopping the slaughter of sentient beings on our parts.

The Buddha definitely believed vegetarianism was best. His words make that clear. I am a vegetarian because I believe him. I recognize he wanted slaughter of sentient life/animals to cease. As a layman choosing vegetarianism, I have voluntarily done what the Buddha wished for his community.

I only take meat under the conditions a monk would- if I did not buy, prepare, or ask for it in any way. That is the Buddha's ruling on when meat is not destructive karma on our parts. I think laymen need to be seriously reflecting and asking ourselves what our place is in society. We are the society. We effect the changes in it for better or worse.

My PERSONAL OPINION is that Buddhists- monks and lay, ought to be vegetarians. Except for the exception allowed by the Buddha for the monks. I cannot make anyone do so, however.

Thank you so much for your insight. This was kind of along the lines of what I was thinking of how to proceed.

 

[Buddha Dharma]

Thank you so much for your insight. This was kind of along the lines of what I was thinking of how to proceed.

I hope it is helpful to you, and if I can answer any of your questions, don't hesitate to ask. I am happy to hear you have found the Buddha's Dharma, and are exploring it. May it be a help and a blessing for you. I wish you will have success in your investigations and endeavors.

The Buddha said that even a little Dharma is meritorious beyond measure and produces good benefits and karmic fields when practiced. I offer that thought for your consideration.

 

[Lyndon]

Certainly vegetarianism is the ideal for a Buddhist.

 

[von bek]

Vegetarianism is not a requirement. In the Theravada tradition monks can eat meat, too. The most important thing is to be moderate and mindful in your eating.

 

[LuisDantas]

From a practical standpoint, not everyone feels confortable with a vegetarian diet (although I stand surprised at the variety of reasons people offer for not attempting it), and there is no upside to pretending that they do, nor to pressuring unwilling people into conforming to one's expectations in such a personal matter.

Encouragement to such a diet can and IMO should take the form of gently reminding those around us that it can be rewarding to minimize the meat intake and remiding ourselves that it may help in easing up cattle killing and mistreatment.

 

[Buddha Dharma]

Vegetarianism is not a requirement. In the Theravada tradition monks can eat meat, too. The most important thing is to be moderate and mindful in your eating.

The monks can voluntarily eat meat in the Theravada tradition? That is- they can go out and make the circumstances favorable to receive meat in their alms rounds? They can suggest to people that meat ought to be slaughtered on their behalf? Indeed, that would be an interesting difference in how the vehicles approach monasticism, if that's so.

 

[von bek]

The monks can voluntarily eat meat in the Theravada tradition? That is- they can go out and make the circumstances favorable to receive meat in their alms rounds? They can suggest to people that meat ought to be slaughtered on their behalf? Indeed, that would be an interesting difference in how the vehicles approach monasticism, if that's so.

Monks may eat meat if it is offered to them, as long as the animal was not specifically slaughtered for them. Interestingly, what I have noticed about the monks I have witnessed eating is that those who are American tend to avoid meat while the Burmese monks seem to not mind at all. In the monastic rules the Theravada monks follow, the Buddha Himself allows for monks and nuns to eat meat, provided the animal was not slaughtered specifically for them. (Oh yeah, human flesh is always forbidden. Just in case you were wondering. )

 

[Twilight Hue]

Hi all! I'm somewhat familiar with some Buddhist principals and have been more and more interested in it over the past 2 or so years. I want to learn more obviously, but I'm open to following the 5 precepts at least. Anyhow, I've read so many conflicting things about following a vegetarian diet. I'm open to trying it, but want others' thoughts. I've read things like how the Dalai Lama isn't vegetarian and the Buddha wasn't either, but they encouraged it. What are everyone's opinions on it? My train of thought to go even further than not killing any sentient beings is that of the thought of reincarnation. This may be a stretch, but I don't like the thought of potentially eating someone's dead relative, if that makes sense. Disclaimer: I'm extremely new to all of this so please forgive me if my info is inaccurate. I look forward to your replies. Thanks for reading!

If you like vegetables, eat vegetables.

There's no cosmic scorecard that awards you demerit points you if you eat meat. ;0)

Just keep things in moderation and don't overdo things. Keep in mind the middle way.

 

[Lyndon]

Actually there is a cosmic scorecard, its called karma.

 

[Buddha Dharma]

Actually there is a cosmic scorecard, its called karma.

Yep and I don't know how much some modern Buddhists take seriously the historical ideas about destructive karma. I also would like to know why some of these Buddhists think they can reject the Blessed One's teachings about karma.

In history, Buddhists took so extremely seriously the reality of generating negative karma. The founder of my school encouraged a hermit lifestyle for those that couldn't control themselves, he took it so seriously.

As far as I can tell, karma is an undeniable aspect of Buddhist cosmology. It is among the most important defining features of it.