I Am a Buddhist
Yesterday I received an interesting question if Buddhists should eat meat.
In her question, she quoted a Wikipedia's article that Buddhists can eat meats, except 10 types of meats: human, tiger,...She also claimed Buddhism vegetarian for eating vegetables because many insects (worms) are killed before harvesting vegetables. Her point is interesting.
Buddhism is a religion of many different believes. In Buddhism, there are no certain rules that we “have to” do or eat. Many Buddhists enjoy eating all kinds of meat normally. Some Buddhism groups avoid some vegetables, fruits and species such as peppers, chilies, garlic, green onions, onions,.. which can bring temptation to the bodies. Some of those people in those groups also avoids smoking, drinking coffee and milk. Some people just eat vegetables and fruits (no rice). Some even have their own pans which are only available to cook vegetables. There can be many different believes but the purpose of those eating rules is just ensuring that we have a healthy eating with healthy food with is available with their situations and budgets.
Talking about Buddhists, there can be thousands of funny questions that can confuse Buddhists. For example: Should Buddhists pray everyday? Should they eat tofu? Does vegetarian mean that they eat salad mostly? Can they eat instant noodles for vegetarian days? Can they demand for having vegetarian menus in a party? Should they also force people to eat so the other people will have a healthier eating?
I have been a Buddhist since I was very little, but I have just been a vegetarian for 6 months. Before being a vegetarian, I ate normally like other people: pork, beef, seafood, shrimps,.. Losing my tastes for meats is one of the reasons why I become a vegetarian. In this first 6 months, I keep my habit of eating eggs and drinking milk but as I could cook, I would get rid of those. I eat anything available without complaining but bad food usually makes my stomach problem.
It can be complicated to explain about insect killing but their existence or death has its own meanings. In Buddhism, death is the ending of sorrows, and the beginning of new life. The longevity can be both good and bad. In a practical world, if we can’t produce something, we have to buy from the others.
In her question, she quoted a Wikipedia's article that Buddhists can eat meats, except 10 types of meats: human, tiger,...She also claimed Buddhism vegetarian for eating vegetables because many insects (worms) are killed before harvesting vegetables. Her point is interesting.
Buddhism is a religion of many different believes. In Buddhism, there are no certain rules that we “have to” do or eat. Many Buddhists enjoy eating all kinds of meat normally. Some Buddhism groups avoid some vegetables, fruits and species such as peppers, chilies, garlic, green onions, onions,.. which can bring temptation to the bodies. Some of those people in those groups also avoids smoking, drinking coffee and milk. Some people just eat vegetables and fruits (no rice). Some even have their own pans which are only available to cook vegetables. There can be many different believes but the purpose of those eating rules is just ensuring that we have a healthy eating with healthy food with is available with their situations and budgets.
Talking about Buddhists, there can be thousands of funny questions that can confuse Buddhists. For example: Should Buddhists pray everyday? Should they eat tofu? Does vegetarian mean that they eat salad mostly? Can they eat instant noodles for vegetarian days? Can they demand for having vegetarian menus in a party? Should they also force people to eat so the other people will have a healthier eating?
I have been a Buddhist since I was very little, but I have just been a vegetarian for 6 months. Before being a vegetarian, I ate normally like other people: pork, beef, seafood, shrimps,.. Losing my tastes for meats is one of the reasons why I become a vegetarian. In this first 6 months, I keep my habit of eating eggs and drinking milk but as I could cook, I would get rid of those. I eat anything available without complaining but bad food usually makes my stomach problem.
It can be complicated to explain about insect killing but their existence or death has its own meanings. In Buddhism, death is the ending of sorrows, and the beginning of new life. The longevity can be both good and bad. In a practical world, if we can’t produce something, we have to buy from the others.
31-35, F
