Buddhism and Vegetarianism

Is this one area where the west is improving on eastern practice that lacks vegetarianism? Thich Nhat Hanh seems to think so. What do you think?

“However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?” – Buddha

“Destroy ‘the ego’, hound it, beat it, snub it, tell it where it gets off? Great fun, no doubt, but where is it? Must you not find it first? Isn’t there a word about catching your goose before you can cook it? The great difficulty here is that there isn’t one.”

- ‘Posthumous Pieces’ by Wei Wu Wei.

True Home – Thich Nhat Hanh

Who do you discriminate against?

Who do you wish suffering on? Who do you suffer for? What arbitrary characteristic calls for discrimination and suffering?

Individuals with different politics? Other races? Genders? Cultures? Religion? Education levels? Sexuality? Species?

See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do?
- Dhammapada

“It is our earth, not yours or mine or his. We are meant to live on it, helping each other, not destroying each other.”

- J. Krishnamurti

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It’s been almost a year since I updated this blog. My sincere apologies. I shall endeavour to update more frequently.

With metta.
May all beings be happy & liberated.

Buddhism & Vegetarianism

Many interesting pdf files to read there! Get to it!

“To keep the body in good health is a duty.” – Buddha

When one being is sick or injured, other beings around them suffer for it as well.

“The truth is that if the average person wouldn’t consider wouldn’t consider your current health practices extreme, you probably aren’t very healthy.” – Steve Pavlina, author

Don’t rely on other people to show other beings the compassion they need to heal – you are capable of doing that and of setting a compassionate example for others. Look after yourself and help others – be compassionate to yourself and to other beings. Pay attention to the moment.

Don’t leave your health up to others or to “the professionals” – they don’t have all the answers. There are many answers – both “unofficial” and “undiscovered” – out there. Perhaps you can also find better answers to old problems with a bit of care, conscientiousness, and contemplation. Do not kill your body slowly. Do not steal the opportunity for health from yourself or from others… Seek to apply the 5 precepts to all aspects of your daily life. Seek liberation from suffering.

Buddhist Resources on Vegetarianism
and Animal Welfare
Compiled by Ron Epstein, Philosophy Department
San Francisco State University

Some great reading in there. Enjoy.

The Great Compassion: Buddhism and Animal Rights
by Norm Phelps

Also available from Lantern Books and the Book Depository (free postage around the world!), if you’re not a fan of Amazon for whatever reasons…

Others:

Food of Bodhisattvas: Buddhist Teachings on Abstaining from Meat
by Shabkar

Vegetarianism: Living a Buddhist Life series
by Bodhipaksa

To Cherish All Life: A Buddhist Case for Becoming Vegetarian
by Philip Kapleau, Roshi Philip Kapleau

Ahimsa: Buddhism and the Vegetarian Ideal
by Bodo Balsys

“One is not a great one because one defeats or harms other living beings. One is so called because one refrains from defeating or harming other living beings.”
- Buddha, Dhammapada, Ch. 19

“If a man can control his body and mind and thereby refrains from eating animal flesh and wearing animal products, I say he will really be liberated.”
- Buddha, Surangama Sutra