The Question of Vegetarianism

[kalyanamithra]

Thank you for your wisdom, Can you please be more specific? In what 'nikhaya' and in which part. Also if you have a softcopy maybe you can share it with us?

Pinwath mithura,

I am sorry, it should have been 'seeha senapathi sutta'. I guess in Aanguttara Nikaya, Panchaka Nipatha, Sumana Vaggao (not sure if it's the correct one); probably the following Deshana on it at would say where to locate it (I am sorry I am not in a position to check it out today).

http://www.mahamevna.org/downloads/Mp3/Seeha_Senapathi_Sutta.mp3
note: many of the download links are not working today; better if you can check latter...

Theruwan saranai!

 

[rukey3001]

You can read this book on Vegetarianism at www.mahamevna.org

 

[Y2K]

you can eat fish but don't be selfish

 

[sudathtr]

I think there's no point arguing about this because, its just a matter of individual perception!



I think you are going a bit out of scope here... I'm in no way protecting the hunters or whoever that does kill according to what Buddhism says completing the 5 pre-requisites for a SIN.. those are SINNERS!!

My point here how can you be held responsible for eating dead meat? in pansil it says "Pana athi sthun nomarami" that is a pledge that you making to yourself, again comes back to those 5 criteria and if you full fill them personally you are sinned.... and everyone of us pledge it and someone decide to break it... and then the result is dead meat... how can another to blame for it?

Ok you say my scenario is not good enough... but how can you deny that this is not what might have happened? Human must have tried meat personally and then he decides to sell or exchange for something else! He does it because of his greed for money.. the person who takes it, takes for food.. but the killer always HAD a chance not to kill that animal...

I hope you are getting what I'm trying to say here!



Then why did Buddha himself ate meat?

Why do people eat meat? Ofcourse they are tasty.. that's why... there's simply no other alternative to it... that's why even vegetarian food trying to mimic the taste!

I eat chicken too for the same reason, but if anyday I see there's no more chicken out on the shelf.. I have no problem being a veg... because for me its just another source of food... its dead meat... for that person who kills for me.. well... he has a choice not to kill!! I'm still securing my "Paanathi Paatha", and he is not... though he has the power to do so!
So at the end of the day I buy the most tastiest food that I can find, why would I settle for anything less? unless ofcourse I don't have it there!



That comes down to the capability of your own mind! As for me personally.... I love animals, I dont get the feeling of a walking roasted chicken when I see a live one.... neither do I get the feeling of killing that animal and eating it on the spot!! infact I would never kill one myself ever..... I'm just eating a carcass!!

So I can love any animal.. and I do too... NO PROBLEM there!!!

Say for example, those people whom voluntary work for SPCA, are they all vegetarians? but they show maithree to animals than ordinary people st any given time.. for free!



So do I!!



Well no matter what you watch it comes down to you.. this I think you said it yourself.... you think it should begin with the person who consume.. I think it should begin with the killer himself!



Those 5 are from Buddhism itself, I suggest you try to find them before you making such comments because I'm absolutely certain about it!



Then how does people in North and South pole survive? they must eat high fat meat! they must drink high fat milk to survive in those cold climates.. So that person cannot be a Buddhist? Ofcourse he can....



I think you are a better person already, maybe you are bit too sensitive on this matter... we can go on arguing about this.. but my 2 cents are whatever you do... DON'T KILL, but encouraging is NOT killing because the killer is the first person to get sinned so he has a choice to make and he can always make the right one..

Truth is this. What Buddha says does not have any contradictions because he is SammaSambuddha(means understands ALL fact and knowledge)/ Thathagatha (means no contradictions in word and act):-

Clear answer to all of your Question (adittha,asutha, aparisankitha = 3 koti parishudhdha):- "you should not be part of it by any mean." So please don't buy or ask for it because you will take part.

1. If you eat dead animals meat (not in anyway killed for you) that fine. Otherwise you are part of the sin. Because not encouraging is also part of Sil. You came to buy meat after the death doesn't matter if its killed for you to full fill the supply/demand from you, or to fulfill possible future demand that may arise from your greediness.

2. However you have a hope. If you must eat meat and don't like to take part of sin.
1. try to find dead bodies due to natural reasons, or killed by other animals.
2. Ask for excess meet when someone has consumed and going to throw it
away(remaining amount). Anyway wastage does not have an owner. Its
going to be part of soil if you does not consume it. Eating the wastage
extra part will do preservation. Even without you it had happened.
3. Go for pindapatha as a priest, people are giving what they have prepared
for themselves. Not prepared for you! You are relived in that case. But
don't allow them to plan for giving meat to you in the next day! Go
another path next day! so that they can't buy meat for you and prepare!

4. Keep aside your Honor and be humble. Always ask a rice packet from someone as a donation. They are giving whats prepared for them selves. If meat is inside the packet you are lucky .

Please don't change Buddhist teachings just for your sake, its harmful for humans , Gods and all. You always have methods to eat meat without make animals suffer for that. Just don't take part of it and choose a way of your own preference above. If you have a small suspicion its killed for you don't eat!