Dear friends,
I am a newbie to this forum; but thought it better to comment eventhough I did not get the opportunity to read this book by Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnananada Thero.
Even if we opt not to eat meat or fish out of compassion, we should clearly know that
- this practice is not a part of our virtue (Sila). Taking things not advocated by Sammasambuddha Guthama as Sila would end up creating Silabbatha Paramasa (a Sila practiced as and end; and not as a component of the path to Nibbana) that binds us to the Samsara.
- As practicing Buddhists we should give up "completely" the 'isms' (Dhitti) including vegetarianism. We should retain only Samma Dhitti.
I am not saying we should (or should not) eat meat. We should know what Buddha disclosed; and the motivation for revealing it. In that context a book like this by Ven. Thero would be really useful.
Think how meaningless the isms we have when we consider our samsaraic existence.
* To dear friends that are Buddhists and call themseleve 'vegetarians':
Suppose you cling to Vigetarianisms and because of the Silabbatha paramasa fail to achieve Sothapanna state this life; and suppose your get born as a tiger (because everyone of us have this tendancy; unless we make use of Dhamma). Cannot this happen? Then what is the point of clinging to vegetarianism!
A Buddhist may choose not to eat meat as a personal preference; but should know that it won't help in his/her path to Nibbana.
* If one opts to eat meat; he/she should know how not to stain the Sila by getting involved in Prana Gatha; that is why what Sammasambuddha Guttama disclosed on meat consumption should be known without distortions.
There are Suttas that clearly shows cues on meat consumptions (I am sure this book will highlights them); so we should read the book and if in doubt verify with the Sutta. Personally I do not doubt Ven. Thero because I've independenly verified what he preached in the past.
After all our aim is ending this samsaraic existence by following Dhamma. We should be careful not to be deceived by our mind.
One should not take something as the Truth just because it agrees with one's faiths (amulila Shraddha); one's preferences (Ruchi); what one has heard of (Anussava); one's logical reasoning (Akaraparivitakka); one's isms (Ditthinijjhanakkhanti). Please see
Chnaki sutta on how one should find what is the Truth.
Friends who eat meat and those who do not, we should know that
our aim of as practicing Buddhists should be following the path disclosed by Sammasambuddha Gautama; and not doing what 'we think to be correct'.
Theruwan saranai!
