Morality of hunting/butchering

justme

Hello everyone,

I've been wondering about the Buddha's teachings to avoid killing living things. I realize that taken literally, there is no real way to avoid doing so if one wishes to continue living. Even plants are alive. But usally this means avoiding hunting, butchering and eating meat.

The vast majority of people, including (to my undertanding) most Buddhists, eat meat. What I don't fully understand is why it is considered more ethical to let others do the killing for you, rather than killing and eating the meat yourself. Wouldn't it be more karmically responsible to kill the meat yourself, therefore absolving others of the responsibility?

I've been wondering about this alot for some reason. I love hamburgers and meat pizzas. Give me BBQ ribs or chicken and I'll be a happy man. I've had this nagging feeling that becoming a vegetarian would be more ethical, but man, do I love eating meat!

Any input you can give would be appreciated. Thanks!

ThailandTom

This is the one aspect of buddhism I cannot accept in my own life as of now. I cannot give up meat. Firstly living in thailand most meals if not all have a type of dead animal in them. Secondly, I love the stuff lol, and thirdly it is great source of protein and various other things your body needs.
About 95% of thais are meant to be buddhist, but I am sure there are a greater ratio of veggies in usa or the uk than here.
I cannot help you with the whole karma thing, I am not experienced enough to give you any sound advise on this one. I have never heard that letting other people do the killing generates more or less negative karma, I have never actually considered this personally. I just know I could not actually kill an animal unless I had no other choice.

Sorry that I am of no help justme, just you whatever. good luck with the replies, tom :P

federica

I'm sorry, for reasons many people will doubtless understand, I'm going to give you reference to other threads that have been created discussing this topic. Then I'm closing the thread, because to be honest with you, threads of this kind invariably evoke very strong opinions from "both sides".

And these are just threads from the Beginner's Forum....

http://newbuddhist.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6447&page=5&highlight=vegetarian

http://newbuddhist.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4474&highlight=vegetarian

http://newbuddhist.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5592&highlight=vegetarian

http://newbuddhist.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3298&highlight=vegetarian

http://newbuddhist.com/forum/showthread.php?t=686&highlight=vegetarian

http://newbuddhist.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200&highlight=vegetarian

This one is about euthanasia....

http://newbuddhist.com/forum/showthread.php?t=921&highlight=vegetarian