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Post by tiny on Jul 17, 2006 21:17:45 GMT -5
I'm curious how other buddhists approach this subject. I'm currently a partial vegetarian (I eat fish and some dairy), in order to follow right action is it necessary to be vegan or are there compromises that can be made?
I know Buddha and his original followers ate what was offered to them, whether it was meat of not. I always feel particularly conflicted when I'm in a situation (family dinners etc...) where meat is offered to me and I know it will be thrown away people will be offended if I don't eat it.
I guess my question comes down to whether it's worse to eat things that go against the precept of right action or whether it's worse to waste food, and cause ill feelings by refusing it?
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Post by fireraven1379 on Jul 17, 2006 21:52:08 GMT -5
According to my Shifu at the meditation center it is ok to eat meat but it has to meet certain requirements. 1) you can not see the animal being killed or ask someone to kill it for you. 2) the meat meal can not be made specificly for you ie. it use to be your favorite dish so you are coming over and some one made it because you were going to be there. What it basicly comes down to by how I understand it is if you get the meat at the supermarket it is ok. I hope this helps you out a bit. fireraven
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Post by moonwind333 on Jul 17, 2006 22:11:46 GMT -5
I know several buddhists who eat meat at least several times a week, including one from Thailand and one from Tibet. I think it comes down more to the matter of cruelty and paying the proper honor to the spirit of the food ingested as compared to a limit on the type of food from what I understand.
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Post by Senbecc on Jul 18, 2006 8:02:14 GMT -5
I'm curious how other buddhists approach this subject. I'm currently a partial vegetarian (I eat fish and some dairy), in order to follow right action is it necessary to be vegan or are there compromises that can be made? I know Buddha and his original followers ate what was offered to them, whether it was meat of not. I always feel particularly conflicted when I'm in a situation (family dinners etc...) where meat is offered to me and I know it will be thrown away people will be offended if I don't eat it. I guess my question comes down to whether it's worse to eat things that go against the precept of right action or whether it's worse to waste food, and cause ill feelings by refusing it? I...Would simply shrivel up-n-die w/o meat or dairy products. Just die...
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Post by stormcat on Jul 26, 2006 18:46:28 GMT -5
I recently read an article about us omnivores. It said that humans were not designed to be carnivores. Our Canine teeth are to short for gripping prey. The meat we eat causes Uric Acid to build up in our muscles. I've been toying with the idea of vegatarianism. Then I see that big juicy steak...I eat it because the cow is dead anyway. I know, I know, it's a hard habit to break. >^-.-^<
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Post by Senbecc on Jul 27, 2006 0:41:39 GMT -5
I recently read an article about us omnivores. It said that humans were not designed to be carnivores. Our Canine teeth are to short for gripping prey. The meat we eat causes Uric Acid to build up in our muscles. I've been toying with the idea of vegatarianism. Then I see that big juicy steak...I eat it because the cow is dead anyway. I know, I know, it's a hard habit to break. >^-.-^< Well, we're not really designed to me total vegitarians either though. According to evolutionists aroung the time of "Lucy" (An up right walking bi-ped about 3 feet tall) our ancesters began their path(s) up the ladder because we left vegitarianism behind and became omnivres. The lower intestines have to work harder to digest plant material and so such humanoids as Lucy had very big bellies or guts. Eating meat cut out some of the need for this, and legs straightened, bellies shrunk, and as time went on our ancesters got taller and faster, and eating meat gave us the ability for larger brain compacities by supplying us with certain acids that stimulated brain growth. Which in all reality was a double edged sword, as with increased brain compacity came weaker slower bodies. In short, we are *supposed* to eat both...IMO.
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Post by stormcat on Jul 31, 2006 20:48:36 GMT -5
Hmmm... that's why I avoid the salad bar! LOL Maybe a high fish and low red meat diet would be good. I don't think I could survive on brown rice and fish, with vegatables every day. >^-.-^<
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Post by Senbecc on Aug 2, 2006 9:48:05 GMT -5
Hmmm... that's why I avoid the salad bar! LOL Maybe a high fish and low red meat diet would be good. I don't think I could survive on brown rice and fish, with vegatables every day. >^-.-^< LoL! Redder the better. I think it just depends on the persons preferences. If one discovers a path like Buddism where by it's philosophies teach against eating meat, and the seeker feels comfortable with such a practice then by all means they certainly should do it. I certainly don't think a person would de-evolve or anything. There would undoubtedly be a satisfaction that would come with such a practice, and satisfaction that one lives well and lives by the varrious codes as given by a particular practice is one of the roots of finding the gift of enlightenment... Though if someone were to try to steal my bacon in the morning...They may be pulling back a bloody stubb. Or at least a hand impaled by a fork.
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Post by wren on Oct 12, 2006 13:00:10 GMT -5
I've read recently, as part of my research into my new raw diet, that not all cultures are genetically the same as far as their requirements. Eskimos, for example, thrive on a mostly fat and meat diet and do poorly when they try to eat a more 'western' diet. They suddenly developed obesity, heart disease and a plethora of other conditions, after beginning to consume a 'well-balanced' diet. Caucasions, on the other hand, would do poorly on the 'Eskimo' diet. There seems to be genetic pre-disposition to certain dietary requirements (meat, veggies, etc.) and we don't leave them behind when we move to new locations or decide to change our diets.
Now, back to my veggie sandwich on sprouted bread!
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