The Buddha ate meat. So what?

This post is connected with the launch of my book, Vegetarianism: A Buddhist View.

In my book, Vegetarianism: A Buddhist View, I argue that although the Buddha ate meat, that was because he lived by begging for food. Those of us who shop for food are in a different situation and we should follow his advice “not to kill, or cause to kill, or to approve of others killing.” In other words, to live a compassionate life, don’t eat meat.

2 Responses to “The Buddha ate meat. So what?”

1. Jo Jo says:

   November 13, 2009 at 6:51 pm

   Good talk. I think it peaks interest in what you’ve written in the book.
   Although I agree with what you’ve stated, I’d like to point out that the not killing for the purpose of being compassionate is not inaccurate, it is however only a superficial observation. The root reasoning behind something such as not eating meat is that it has to do with kamma. Thus the reasoning monastics in Buddha’s time, and indeed modern times, don’t always take issue with eating meat so long as it wasn’t killed specifically for them. The kammic bonds in this scenario are negligible. I’m hopeful you’ve talked about this in your book, as it would surely bring a whole new and interesting element to the topic.

   Thanks, and keep up the good work.

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2. bodhipaksa says:

   November 13, 2009 at 10:58 pm

   I couldn’t agree with the notion that karma is somehow separate from or “deeper” than the cultivation of compassion. Karma is the simply the work we do in transforming ourselves to be more compassionate and wise. There isn’t really a difference, although it’s possible that if we think in terms of purifying our karma we can become too focused on our own wellbeing, giving rise to spiritual individualism, whereas what’s needed is to widen our sphere of concern through compassion and so to attenuate our clinging to self.

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