I was at a group dinner last weekend, during which the conversation centered mostly around food. That seen as ‘great food’ for most is but burnt carcasses to me, no matter how well masked the meat is with herbs and spices. I can no longer comprehend why anyone can be fascinated by meat, isn’t it obvious that it’s the seasoning that renders it tasty? I was wondering, do I really need to spell out the truth to everyone?
It was no surprise that I was the only vegan at the table. What was appalling was the amount of meat ordered. So much there was that a few plates were left untouched. Ordering animal flesh is already unthinkable, but to waste animals’ lives by not finishing the meat asked for is atrocious!
Is it really that hard to go for a kinder diet? Or does the word ‘compassion’ simply not exist when it comes to filling one’s stomach? Why would any sensible person want their stomach to be a mortuary? Have so many human hearts grown as cold as a mortuary’s freezer? Please, during this season of giving, at least reduce the demand for animal lives. Give the helpless animals a break. Go vegan! If not, go vegetarian!
Great idea Crystal!
Hi everyone, I have created a page for you to share on how you became a veg*n @ https://moonpointer.com/new/how-i-became-vegn/
^_^
Iloveveg: Sigh, the sad thing is seeing your friends/family members thinking you are a freak and unable to convince them of their carnivorous behavior when they feast.
The above statement keeps running around in my brain :p It remains me of something and maybe can apply such indirectly method. Story again —
When my mother become a Buddhist in KMSPKS in ‘93 or ‘94. She wanted her parents to benefit from chanting “Amitofuâ€. However, grandpa & grandma can’t accept, so they always argue on this and both parties are always unhappy at the end.
Seeing this, I took a different approach and didn’t even let anyone know. Every times I pray to GuanYin in temple, I sincerely request Guan Yin that my grandparents can与佛有缘 (yu fo you yuan). This goes on for many years. During my grandpa last stage of life, he seems to be able to accept “Amitofu†and started chanting and has a peaceful death at home.
Maybe, if we can’t convince our family members, use the prayer method as one of the many alternatives to convince them. :love:
If Killing is considered as a NO-NO in Buddhism, I assume that include animals as well.
Therefore, whether we are Vegetarian or NON-Vegetarian, I think during feasting or celebrations (Birthday or wedding or party …) or even simple thing like giving a lunch or dinner treat, all should go for VEGETARIAN Food.
Why? I don’t think I want this bad karma to be added on me … Negative karma, the lesser the better, right?
The sad part is only a minority realise that we should not feast on Non-vegetarian food. The majority would think otherwise. 🙁
Majority might not be aware of this – reasons could be this topic has not been given enough attention, is not being brought up for enough discussions, too busy to reflect on this and comparatively to other issues it is just sitting too low on the list.
At the end of the day, it is them who benefits if they feast on vegetarian food, be it just for 1 guest(although animals would also suffer less). Why would I want to take up the “negative karma” on behalf of other by offering non-veg*n food, haven’t I got enough of that and wanted to get rid of? It is just simple logic.
I see it as more is been emphasized on the 2nd portion of – “Giving up Evil and Practicing Good.†Therefore, more energy is channel to practicing good by doing good deeds etc and so much lesser energy is given to giving up Evil. Shouldn’t it be more emphasis on Giving up Evil (it comes first before practicing good) or at least taking the middle way?
I am not too sure, if this trend continues, where wills it brings us to. Giving up evil is tough, but I guess, we have to start somewhere and do it to get into the momentum.
Vegetarianism can’t go that far, could be not many are aware of the benefits from it. If more can see the benefits and adopt (this belief or value), then it will coordinates our behaviour and decision making. It will guide our thoughts and actions.
The interesting thing is Buddhism is not the only religion that advocate Vegetarianism. There are many others like Catholic have meatless Friday etc
I think fish is still considered to be okay for consuming on the Catholic’s meatless Friday 🙁
OIC 😮
But if Catholic revives Meatless Friday and bundle it together with ‘Saving the Earth’ (compassion for Gaia) and eating healthy, be it at home, in the office or in the school. It can even go further than Buddhist going vegetarianism on 1st and 15th day of the lunar calendar.
Not that it can’t be done, even in school, for such days, non-vegetarian stalls can always come up with veg*n version of the usual menu.
Hmm, I won’t say it’s a hard and fixed Buddhist practice to go vegetarian on the 1st and 15th day of the lunar calendar. Most see it as optional – it is up to individual commitment.
Other than practitioners who had taken the Bodhisattva precepts (which requires them to to be full-time veg*n), Buddhists of all traditions are encourage to have veg*n meals anytime anywhere and as much as possible. 🙂
It is so great to heard that “Buddhists of all traditions are encourage to have veg*n meals anytime anywhere and as much as possible.†🙂
If all Buddhists doing these, this world will be so much compassionate. This could explain why Taiwan had so many Buddhist Vegetarians or Buddhist Semi-Vegetarians.
They would be doing good by giving a good chance for all the Veg*n eateries to flourish and encouragements for more to go into a compassionate business and to veg*n food to evolve :love:
Here’s a suggestion by a reader –
‘btw, am trying to compile a list of vegetarian eatery places that opens from 1st day of CNY so that people can find alternatives to feast on. Any suggestions? Maybe you can try to ask for more recommendations under your vegn category? More viewership at your blog could attract more suggestions & maybe also list down benefits of going vegetarian & life liberation in the Buddhist context?’
Do feel free to input eating places here by commenting 🙂
Benefits of vegetarianism: http://viva.org.uk/goingveggie
Benefits of life liberation: http://moonpointer.com/index1.php?itemid=2588