6 FAQs on Veg*ism

The below is a compilation of discussions based on the article ‘Why Veganism is Not an Extreme Way of Life’ at http://thedailyenlightenment.com/enewsletter/24.php :

[1] Do Diets Matter Spiritually?

Q: We don’t respect Dharma teachers and learn from them because of their dietary choice. What do you think?

A: Besides the Dharma dispensed, how sensitive a teacher is to the plight of animals is a measure of his or her compassion too, which is one of the chief spiritual qualities all should cultivate. Between a teacher (say, a monastic) who demands KFC chicken (I know one, but he has turned vegetarian recently) versus another who is veg*an, if both of them teach the Dharma equally well, wouldn’t one choose to learn from the latter because we can learn from his example of compassion in terms of diet?

[2] Did the Buddha Eat Meat?

Q: Wasn’t the Buddha not vegetarian because he ate whatever was given? As he was once a prince, did he eat meat in the palace? If yes, despite this, he became the Buddha. Thus, it’s not what you eat but how you practise the Dharma that is more important? Being vegetarian can diminish our attachment to food, but eradicating our defilements can by other means besides choice of diet? Didn’t the Buddha taught different means to different people to suit their karmic tendencies?

A: The Buddha was never stated in any Pali Sutta or Mahayana Sutra to have eaten any meat, though he permitted meat taken by monastics via random alms. Most of us don’t take random alms though; we are lay consumers with the power of choice. Conversely, there are many sutras stating the Buddha’s gradual persuasion of his followers to be vegetarian and even vegan. There is a Jataka Tale that states that the Buddha as a Bodhisattva in a previous life as a lion king was a vegetarian! What more to say when he becomes a human Bodhisattva? What we eat is part of Dharma practice too.

If we simply follow our cravings to eat whatever we want, this does not decrease the spiritual defilement of greed at the in/direct expense of sentient lives. Being vegetarian is not just about diminishing defilements – it is also for these many reasons at http://moonpointer.com/vege/10.htm as part of the larger picture. Yes, the Buddha taught different teachings to different people. But spiritual cultivation is about countering negative karmic tendencies in time too, such as greed. To Bodhisattva-wannabes, he advocated vegetarianism as a Bodhisattva precept – because it is impossible to aspire to save all beings while in/directly demanding some to suffer at the same time via demand for their flesh and produce.

[3] Why Do Some Monastics Eat Meat?

Q: If you notice… some good Theravada monastics are not vegetarian, as they don’t have the vegetarian clause in their precepts, while Chinese Mahayana monastics are vegetarian.

A: In my unenlightened opinion, all the good Theravada monks who are not vegetarian eat ONLY random almsfood which they cannot choose. Interestingly, I heard that a popular Ajahn doesn’t pick the meat foods when facing a buffet spread of offerings. Still, the followers don’t seem to get the hint that he tries to avoid meat. I admire Theravada monastics who speak up proactively about the vegetarian cause out of compassion.

Mahayanists believe that the Buddha gradually urged vegetarianism and veganism as advanced teachings to nurture universal compassion for all beings. Monastics who eat random food cannot ensure vegetarian food’s availability, which is why they do not have to be veg*ans. But today, many do not eat random alms and can decide or influence the choice of food. To ask for or endorse meat is against the Buddha’s spirit of not supporting killing because when there is no demand, there is no supply by breeding and killing.

[4] Do We Need Meat?

Q: If we evolved from primates, we are omnivores, not herbivores? When we were hunters and gatherers, we even ate raw meat. I’m like 80% vegetarian but biologically, I still crave for the occassional meat. Something in my body seems to signal that I am lacking something. It is more healthy and environmentally friendly to not eat meat, but I don’t agree with veg*ans who go around saying humans are vegetarian by nature.

A: But gorillas are completely vegetarian, while orang utans and chimpanzees are mainly vegetarian, but will eat some insects while the latter some small mammals at times. If we did evolve from the apes, why should we eat so much more meat than them? But we are not animals. The next step of evolution in spirituality, in terms of perfecting compassion is to be vegetarian, and then vegan. Our body constitution is more similar to herbivores than carnivores. Please see http://www.vegetarian-society.org/Articles?q=node/29#anatomy for many reasons why. If eating raw meat is a big part of our nature, why do we cook most of our meats and season them heavily to rid the raw taste?

If it is true that our craving for meat means it is crucial, how is it that great Buddhist masters like Master Xuyun, was able to live till 120 on a vegan diet? In more recent times, the founder of Vegan Society lived till 95. Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Watson for more about him. I have vegan sportsmen friends too. It is probably habitual mental and not biological craving for meat’s taste in your case. Humans don’t die from not eating meat, but people do die from eating too much meat, as heavy meat-eaters are more disease-prone. (For more Buddhist teachings on veg*sm, please see http://www.moonpointer.com/bvf.php)

Though a leap to veg*ism might seem too far to some, why not reduce consumption of animal produce? I don’t think people are collectively by habitual nature of any one dietary inclination. It is just that humans’ bodies are better suited for veg*an food. Our true nature is Buddha-nature – with perfect compassion for every being. If the Buddha would never crave a Big Mac, why should we think meat is essential for our well-being? The path towards Buddhahood is one that necessitates the gradual lessening of craving. As one advances towards Buddhahood, craving for meat will and definitely has to reduce. As such, it is good to reduce craving earlier to help advancement in this aspect.

[5] Aren’t Plants Sentient Beings?

Q: What is the Buddhist view on seeing plants as living things?

A: According to Buddhism, plants are living beings but not sentient ones – as they are not complex enough to develop consciousness. As such, the Buddha never spoke of beings being reborn as plants. You might like to see this link too, on whether it is cruel to eat plants: http://www.vegetarian-society.org/Faqs?q=node/60#ans That said, the Buddha taught us to respect plant life too. In fact, he gave many guidelines on protecting the environment. Some might argue against veg*ism by saying it means kills many lifeforms (plants and insects which die in the production process). However, meat-eating involves killing of many more sentient beings as for meat to be available, animals must consume many times more plants – which involves even more deaths of plants and insects. Veg*ism minimises killing of both sentient (animal) and non-sentient lifeforms (plants).

[6] Is Vegetarianism Extreme?

G: On extremism, maybe it’s best to see vegetarianism not as an either/or phenomenon. After all, just because people call themselves ‘environmentalists’ doesn’t mean they have zero carbon footprint and never use anything taken from nature. Similarly, if someone donates money to help victims of a natural disaster, do we say that those people aren’t kind if they do not give all their money? Again, it’s not a matter or either/or: either people give all their money or none. Similarly, most vegetarians, myself included, eat products that involve the killing and mistreatment of some animals as: (1) non-organic plant foods involve the killing of insects via pesticides, and (2) insects and other animals are killed when tractors and other machines move through fields in planting and harvesting.

S: Mindful veg*ns would know that despite the best of intentions to not harm animals, some are inevitably harmed in the process of growing and harvesting of even organic food. (E.g. I realised that one organic farm uses a light to attract and kill insects; to distract them from crops.) Usually, it’s the meat-lovers who label veg*ns as extremists, when veg*ns in their right minds wouldn’t be extreme. Meanwhile, those who are adamant about the ‘uselessness’ of veg*ism are the extreme ones in refusing to see its value. Practical veg*ism is a ‘Middle Path’ that veers away from extremes of unhealthy apathy to the plight of animals and unhealthy obsession with unrealistic demanding of absolutely no death to be involved in one’s food. But of course, if there can really be no killing of sentient beings at all, it’s excellent!