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How can BUDDHISTS not be VEGETARIAN?
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And there is a HUGE difference between the two because one is impractical and totally unreasonable while the other is not.
How so?
All the best,
Jellybean
Of course it does. But the alternative is to starve to death, which is impractical and totally unreasonable. Nor is it consistent with "the middle way" that the Buddha spoke about. Ahimsa has been translated as "doing no harm". But, doing no harm is impossible, as you have pointed out. Therefore, the practical application of Anhimsa is minimizing harm. I think it's obvious that harvesting meat causes more harm than harvesting vegetables.
Is it?
I hope you're growing your own crops, to minimize the harm that comes from harvesting your veggies.
Does a rabbit scream when it gets caught up in a harvester combine?
Ok, but absolutely refraining from meat no matter what the circumstances even when killing happens no matter what you eat is the "middle way."
I dare say it would be better, would cause less suffering, to go hunting or fishing for yourself, or even buy some meat from your local butcher, than buying only vegetables that grew in crops showered in pesticides and had to be transported half way across the country to get to your plate... I dunno, I'm just doing what I think's best, too.
Incidentally, who do you know that hunts their own cows? :wtf:
I dunno, I'm just doing what I think's best, too. Don't assume it's for lack of caring and compassion, though, or that your path is "more Buddhist" than everyone else's. Wait, why do I feel like I've said this before? Why must the veggies push, push, push?
I have found some humor in myself, when I find my perceptions to be different than my girlfriends. If I notice I'm thinking like a prat, I say:
"There are obviously two opinions here. There is the one which is humble, accurate, absolutely full of rich wisdom and precise clarity... and then there is yours."
We both laugh, because obviously, when I am convinced her perceptions are unreasonable it is ridiculous and unbalanced. Its rigid thinking, and blinds me.
With warmth,
Matt
There is this aspects of affinity on vegetarianism of moderation in Buddhism for learner like most of Buddhist - the exception; prohibition; maintenance and break. For the above scenario, it is in the category of exception. Although vegetarianism is not entirely about the attainment of Buddhism, but it greatly assist on the ascending to the various levels of heavenly beings. Besides, we are also doing our part to help earth a nicer place to live in acknowledgement from Jainism, International vegetarian organisation, Buddhism, animals themselves0help help me
Yes it does. However, when you take that harvested crop and feed it to a cow to make meat, you end up with rabbits screaming and cows screaming. Whereas in the first scenario you only have rabbits screaming. So when you take that crop and feed it to a cow, the amount of suffering is increased, because 2 is greater than 1 obviously.
Then one has to take into account the suffering that is created for the people that work at the slaughterhouse. The Buddha said that karma is created only when the act is intentional. The people that work at the slaughterhouse most certainly are doing the killing intentionally thereby adding to the increase of suffering in the above scenario even more. Then you have to take into account the additional crops that need to be harvested to feed animals as opposed to people the add additional screaming rabbits into that equation, which increases the suffering even further. And the suffering that is created by the detrimental effects of intensive animal agriculture on the environment still have to be added to that equation, which increases it even further. Then there is also the effects on the people who consume the food. Nobody's mother has ever died of a heart attack or stroke from eating broccoli and apples. Now hamburgers, that is another story. The act of converting crops to meat increases the amount of suffering taking place exponentially.
I don't because it's personal choice and I don't pass judgment on it.:) But, discussing the truth of the matter is not the same as judging IMO, although some people perceive it as such unfortunately.
They end up going round and round in circles, and I think everything that could be said has now been said.
The bottom line is, we should all agree to differ.
Thanks to all those who have taken part.