A Vegetarian is Not Vegetarianism

While some animal-eaters disparage vegetarians
who are less kind to some humans,
some vegetarians disparage meat-eaters
who are less kind to some animals.

Why not be someone
who is kind
to both animals and humans?

When you come across some vegetarians
who are unkind to some humans,
please don’t think that vegetarianism is problematic,
that vegetarianism made them unkind.

A vegetarian is not vegetarianism per se.
Even if a vegetarian is unkind to some humans,
vegetarianism is kindness to animals.
It is self-contained goodness in itself.

2 thoughts on “A Vegetarian is Not Vegetarianism

  1. Have had my fair share of setbacks (or so I think!) when trying to share vegetarianism, and have indeed been called aggressive. It was quite a shock, but it also served as a reminder to be careful with the way I share. Though mostly, I’m very mild with my sharing, I don’t even criticize people about their diet, nor turn my nose up when they eat meat in front of me.

    Thing is, people don’t like to be told that they need to change. And if they’re not open enough, we are probably perceived as some form of threat, a very very BIG threat. Simply by being different.

    A vegetarian is not vegetarianism per se, similarly a Buddhist is not Buddhism per se! But being both vegetarian and Buddhist is a huge responsibility indeed, for people equate me with vegetarianism and Buddhism anyway, even though I’m far from being the perfect vegetarian and perfect Buddhist.

    兢兢业业… This seems to sum it up all for me.

  2. I noticed that those who are defensive about meat-eating tend to be more so in terms of ethics. If we switch the focus not so much on whether it’s right for the animals but for their own human health, it’s easier to urge meat-reduction. To put it a little crudely, those who are less compassionate about animal welfare might be more concerned for their own heath. Amituofo

    :-S

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