Non-Violence & Vegetarianism in Buddhism

[bot16]

Wise man

[SpiritualDimensionX]

Agree! Hail vegetarianism.

[Eceoes]

This man is brilliant, about everything he said was right. 

[LiveVegan]

I appreciate your comments. If I may suggest we should go vegan. There is no moral distinction between flesh and other animal products e.g dairy, eggs, leather, fur, wool etc. Vegetarians still consume and wear products of violence. The first step to Ahimsa is veganism (veganpamphlet(dot)com) I would also suggest to Buddhists to read the Surangama Sutra and the Lankavatara Sutra.

[mytribeismypride]

I've never seen buddhist monk who eats meat and they are remaining true their vows...strange

[kleinphi]

I have been learning (Theravada) Buddhism for a few months. I believe the teachings are very powerful and clear and seem like an excellent path for me. However, I agree with this video that the killing of sentient beings for food should not be an area of compromise. To say being a butcher is wrong, but buying from a butcher is not seems inconsistent.

[LiveVegan]

@kleinphi Consider going vegan. There's more violence in dairy than if one ate flesh alone. Consider googling "What is wrong with Vegetarianism? Unpopular Vegan Essays" It's a great essay which outlines the great violence in dairy, eggs and other animal products.

[VeganMotorcyclePilot]

Nice video, i will try to upload it as well with different tags and title - maybe geared towards Christians!  (7th Day Adventists, Hare Krishna, Rasta) too. ChristianVeg (dot) org is a good group.

Regardless factory farms are cruel to other helpless mammals, meat is unnecessary today, contributes to health problems (costs and countless human deaths), destroys gods planet/enironment and even world hunger (1lb flesh per 10lbs of grain/corn inefficiently fed to them, while people go hungry).

[yekshemesh4alig]

Did anyone else notice that he didn't blink once throughout the entire video?

[10LightYears]

@yekshemesh4alig

Hi! That means you didn't blink also to have noticed that, hehe...

Peace...

[dharmabird67]

Some Buddhists are strict vegetarians, especially in the Mahayana schools. Chinese Buddhists are very strict. Even some Tibetan Vajrayana practitioners are vegetarian. If you do puja to Arya Tara then you are supposed to not eat meat so her devotees(such as H.E. Garchen Rinpoche who is my teacher) are strict vegetarians. AFAIK most Drikung Kagyu lamas emphasize vegetarianism.

[whonotmeyou]

whats nonwielence? 

[ThePickledTheif]

@whonotmeyou

Nonviolence. To not use violence or be violent.

[foxytaro]

@NepAsdreth My dog eat everthing I gave him, like cheese, grain. I do not gave him meat.Plus if the dog eat meat, that is not my problem. I am not concern whether my freind nor my dog eating meat. That is not my responsibility. It is a personal choice

[TheFlutevisions]

That's the right light to follow.

[jarmanjain]

I agree about everything. To practise real ahimsa/non-violence vegetarism is a basic requirement.

[LionEntity]

Thank you for this true message. Blessings.

Human beings are primates. There is no primate on the planet which spills blood to eat. At the most some could eat little insects and similar things. But humans' physiology is not made for hunting meat, tearing meat, nor digesting meat. That's why no little child is shown the true nature of meat. The child is always offered meat on a plate, well cooked and spiced. The child never sees how he got it, and when the child does, he or she thinks twice...

[lidao48]

Be mindful that some Buddhists eat meat; not many as you state.

I agree: with awakening, there is understanding of suffering. Eating meat becomes repulsive automatically.

The Dalai Lama, apparently, eats meat occasionally to address a health issue. I don't know for sure. Also, the paperwork has already been created so that when/should he return to Tibet, he will no longer be political head of state. He will just be monk.

I greatly appreciate the videos of yogeeshashram.

[mysticwhat78]

I am new to the religion

[deltaforcedf]

I totally agree with him. I can understand the fact that Buddhists who live in cold and harsh climate may find it hard to get a vegetarian diet but what about Buddhists living in warm countries of south east asia? For example Burma, Thailand, Laos etc. They can easily grow crops and they don't even have any restrictions. This is just some silly excuse to eat meat. It is totally different thing when you are stranded and have no choice but to consume meat...

[camry95black]

I remember reading once that the Buddha allowed his followers to eat meat once when food was scarce. It was a temporary solution. It was not a pleasant meal to eat, it was dry, rough and similar to tree bark. The Buddha warned his followers that later on, people would try to say that he allowed everyone to eat flesh.

Can you say whether this story is true or not? I would like to know the truth about this particular event. If you do not know, it is okay.

Thank you

[nandhi108]

well spoken.

higher consciousness is oneness with the all the living. non-violence is peace. this peace is love.

may humanity awaken to the religion of love that is peace that is non-violence.

gratitude for sharing your wisdom.

aum

[Vyn2007]

thank you from the bottom of my heart for this video! 5* and now for always in my favourites too.

[ChiKiCheong]

I really think vegetarianism is the way to go against animal cruelty. What I found interesting was Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, in his video, The Joy of Liberating Animals on Youtube, advised his students to turn vegetarian to create the causes to build an animal sanctuary or shelter. This is to show their commitment to care for animals instead of just saying they care. We dont really care for animals if we keep eating them every meal!

[madalene2012]

A question for Guru Acharya : how to behave , being a vegetarian non -violent person, to give rit of mice and rats, when living in a country side in winter are so many trying to reguge at home, making family and leave escrements everywhere....? I tried with a tunnel trap, to free after, but didnt stop a big quantity coming in, Even having a cat, isnt enough, So I had to listen other people and put poison.

Thank you!!

[PrincessssP1111]

What you did was not wrong. You didn't kill the rats for your personal pleasure. Your intention was not bad. You did it for your safety. Killing for pleasure and killing for safety is completely different.

[Bodambo]

I have the same problem with mice and have taken a vow of non-violence. Yet I have to protect my family from their disease, so I choose to set mousetraps. I don't like it, but it is for the better good and I have no bad intentions with the mice. So I feel I am not producing bad karma for myself, because I have read various takes on killing in the Buddhist sect. When I take care of the mice I am mindful on why I had to take that action!

[LiveVegan]

Hi madalene, Getting a cat or putting out poison is not the answer. It is violence and killing. Keeping foodstuffs, grains etc in sealed containers so that it does not attract rats and mice is a good idea.

[anlu2]

what about in the futere, maybe people will start to grow meat (muscle) artifitially, like a culture of muscle cells in a petri dish. With now nerves there wont be any suffering. this could be a way to still eat meat.

two reasons why this may not be a good idea is: 1. like achara said it takes a lot of time to pass through your body. 2. plants maybe more primitive than animal cell.

this question of vegetarianism is one of my biggest concerns nowadays. i am very much in doubt about this..

[PrincessssP1111]

Ask and you shall be answered

[gyalpo1]

He is wrong, his story is not true. Buddha eated meat whole life. Actually his last meal was so called "pork dish"! Monks has to accept all kind of food which the lay persons give them in the bowl, accept invitations for lunch like "Venerable, come, we have a chicken, we will kill it for you...", because for laity are monks source of merit.

[monlamthai]

a typical tibetan reaction.. tibetans always try to justify eating meat.

Compassion can't be in heart when knife is in hand..

[S1587915G]

There was actually some controversy about whether the Buddha's last meal had pork in it. From what I read, what was often translated as 'pork' in the relevant literature could in fact also be translated as the name of a type of mushroom.

[impermanentoo]

Buddha gave the permission for the followers to eat meat as being a vegetarian does not makes one purer.

We can only eat meat without wasting them.

Killing for fun like hunting or fishing is not allowed

[impermanentoo]

All the explanations were very clear and accurate. There is one aspect I would like to share. Buddha gave permission to eat meat for the reason not to complicate matter. Meat can be consume under 3 conditions

-the animal cannot be sacrifice for us

-do not suspect about the killing of animal

-do not hear the killing of animal

I'm a vegetarian and I fully support what he said. British scientists have come to the conclusion that vegetarian have IQ that is 5 point higher than meat-eater

[1982mockingbird1982]

Many of them are vegetarian and vegan. Tibetans dont bcoz its not possible where they live and less strict buddists dont but other monks dont even eat garlis just bcoz an insect could get harmed while harvesting them. Dalai Lama has Hepatitis B but I think he uses things like nuts and milk to get protein.

[HolyCity2012]

I don't personally know a single Buddhist who eat's animals. Nor would I consider anyone who eats meat a real Buddhist.

[punkstars03]

i know some who do,

i would only meat if somebody made it for me

i just cant let that innocent animal die for nothing besides that i just eat junk food

[UniversalTruths]

Buddhists are allowed to eat meat as long as they do not kill the animal and as long as it was not killed specialy for them. Monks in countries where the offering bowl is used often don't get a choice what they can eat, they will eat what ever is in their bowl and be happy for it.

Besides which, buddhism is a belief system not a dietry guide, as long as you live an ethical life you can eat what ever you want.

[elijahcrigger]

@HolyCity2012 The Buddha himself promoted vegetarianism.

[ThePickledTheif]

@elijahcrigger

Didn't he die of food poisoning from eating meat? I don't recall him ever talking about vegetarianism.

[bigwille187]

@HolyCity2012 to me that seems like your conceptualizing people in your own way isnt that something you try to get rid of in buddhism? im not saying your wrong just something i was curious about.

[JPtigercat]

Delta, your violent reaction disqualifies you from any claim to judging anyone else for eating meat. I'm a vegetarian and I'm not a Buddhist. When I came to Korea, I was very disappointed that vegetarianism, except with Buddhist monks, is virtually unknown. But your rage, superior attitude, and cultural imperialism don't help anybody understand anything. I hope you find, and share, some peace.

[deltaforcedf]

Buddhists are foolish people. They say they follow the path of Siddhartha Gautama but still they eat MEAT by SLAUGHTERING ANIMALS. And these Bastards claim they follow Ahimsa BULLSHIT. Look at the South east Asia most countries are Buddhists and they have enough land and farms to grow whatever vegetables or grains. But these stupid people love to suck on meats. I'm Glad Tibet is getting Fucked by the Chinese. They deserve this for betraying their religions. Pathetic Bastards ! ! !

[disciplineutube]

Eversince China imported Buddhism into their country, Chinese Buddhist monks had ALWAYS eat a vegan diet. Vietnam, Taiwan, Korea and certain Buddhist sects in Japan that adopted Chinese Buddhism also eats a vegan diet. Lay Buddhist however are always encouraged to be vegetarians by monks by they are not forced to do so. It is not possible to force them. To do so, and they'll stop practicing Buddhism altogether. So that is a dilema for monks.

[deltaforcedf]

True, but I have seen videos about Buddhist Monks eating meat. Though I do believe that some Buddhist Monk are trying to encourage people to be vegetarian. Yet I believe about 8 out of 10 Buddhists are NON-VEG. Plus if what you said was the case how come 90% of Hindus are always vegetarian considering the fact that Hinduism is the third largest religion on earth. Do you still think that they were forced to eat a vegan diet? It all has to do with the culture.

[dabuddhist]

being a buddhist my self I am a vegetarian and I do not kill insects but instead open the window or door so they can get out.

[LiveVegan]

@dabuddhist Consider going vegan. There's more violence in dairy than if one ate flesh alone. Consider googling "What is wrong with Vegetarianism? Unpopular Vegan Essays" It's a great essay which outlines the great violence in dairy, eggs and other animal products.

[john17972]

@dabuddhist Damn you stupid!

[cspace1234nz]

Non-violence ? You mean avoiding force of any kind ?

These people seem to think that you can actually do something physically to "get to heaven" or "achieve enlightenment" yet if someone has to force him or herself to be vegetarian then they are still being violent. Just another ego trip.

For some it is easy to be vegetarian, it is natural, for others it is seemingly impossible and requires a tremendous leap in spiritual growth and subtle awareness in order to allow change to take place.

[histrillness]

this guy makes Buddhists look terribly horrible

[roadkill4148]

just because the guy has really bad english doesn't mean you should rip on him

[Issachar07]

There are obvious philosophical and biological contradictions in being about non-voilence and choosing to eat meat. If I was going to die I should eat meat in order to survive. Yes, humans are omnivore, but omnivores and carnivors are voilent in nature. Our closest vegetarian/peace loving relative the Bonobo chimpazee has all our good charactics as human beings is contrast to omnivore Chimpanzee which has all the voilent characteristics and traits of us. Buddhism is about reaching perfection.

[agnostoatomo]

As far i have understood the Buddha taught on non violence but never taught Vegeterianism.

Buddha and his Adepts were beggars and appreciated and accepted every Donation, even meat except if the meat came from an animal that was especially killed to feed a Bikshu or Bikshuni(spiritual beggars).So you see... they didn't order meat,so no animal was killed for their pleasure and they didn't keep up a dualistic view that divides in good or bad.

Sarva Mangalam

[8Patino2]

Its almost like an endless cycle on this earth. Animals kill other animals to survive, certain tribes kill animals to support themselves and survive as well. It's the circle of life. Everything is full circle

[Strat85]

interesting theory but unfortunately your diet does not affect your psychological progress towards enlightenment,if buddha teaches correctly there is no belief in god or some destiny or anything at all,but ur effort toward desired goal,in this case moksha,being a vegetarian can be a usefull "device" for a monk to train his desire for food to humble down, because that could be a great "wall" for someone who wants to free himself,but it is not necessary,it is all a psychological illusion

[catgumart]

For a while I wouldn't buy meat or meat products, but I would eat meat if it was served as it would decay and be eaten by somthing anyway, human or micro organism, now I totally reject meat...but I will eat dairy products, but not eggs.

[catgumart]

When I watch on Youtube how we slaughter animals, I cringe and feel good that I quit meat. I believe in animal rights, and It discusts me to see humans kill or harm them. I have some little tiny ant bugs in my bathroom and I might kill them and say a prayer that they go someplace better!

[amandil96]

Great person... Finally someone speaking loud and clear! Thank you ever so much!

People compare humans and animals: if animals kill why not us? Humans are spirituals beings, and eating meat make us lose this spiritual part of ourselves (some people clearly just lost it!!)

God (in each religion) asks people to NOT eat meat. That's always one of the first commandment: "Do not kill"

So simple

Stop looking at what animals do (like a little child) and start Now to behave as a HUMAN !!

[WEARENOTSIMPLE]

it is sad 2 c some people use vegivegetarianism 2 put others down and use it to feel morally supirior(sick). when u build u'r house or monestry did u asked those insects and animal who lived in the buildind site " can i kick u out so i can build my house? . there is a word 4 this .... hypocracy. life is both good an bad.knowing it as it is, is the enlightment. being good is just being "good" but not en-ment.find the truth.come 2 peace with reality, come 2 turms with good and BAD. peace b vit u

[WEARENOTSIMPLE]

vegetarianism is great. but this way of life was developed by good poeple in the past becos they believed it was possible to live without hurting other beings (animal). ofcos they did not know anything about micro biology or immunity system. Now we know. do not eat yogut, no boiling water, do not breath. unfortunately even the great way of non violence originated through ignorence. hense vegetarianism has nothing to do with enlightment. I'm sory. but try not to kill less beings as possible.

[KeniLeeBurgess]

Interesting. Everything that lives kills to feed itself. Apparently, animals are viewed superior to celery. Killing celery is okay. Maybe if it screams louder, it will get an equal chance. Thanks for sharing.

[ikttv]

In order to promote vegetarianism, animal-caring, energy-saving & environment-protection, the two biggest religious groups I-Kuan Tao and Buddhism - hold jointly the event on Oct. 26~27 in Kaohsiung County, Taiwan.

[FunForTheFuture]

Ha ha non-violence. Someone comes to murder you, what is non-violence then? Kill the bastard, that is non-violence to a nice person.

[svariar]

but wild animals are also hunters/meat eaters....is it possible for human society to try and train these animals to become vegetarian and nonviolent?

[capriaap]

Svariar. This might be possible, you can even feed deer on meat and they will develop the taste for it. Very horrible. But I think we should let animals that have body of meat eaters be what they are. They are part of the balance of nature.

[wobbles17]

I don't know if you are trying to say that other animals eat meat therefore we can eat meat but if you are then that is completely flawed reasoning...a non sequitur to be more precise. Carnivorous animals are incapable of avoiding meat physically and are mentally incapable of developing a code of ethics. Context is everything: a sane man can be found guilty for murder while a mentally challenged man or one under drug influence could be exculpated. Meat eating animals have different situation

[catgumart]

We have a choice we are omnivores and we can get our protien and nutrients from other sources, If humans could only digest meat, then that would be different.

[MGCUK]

The killing of animals and the eating of meat are two separate issues.

The Buddha did not say that people could not eat meat.He said:

'Taking life, beating, wounding, binding, stealing, lying, deceiving, worthless knowledge, adultery; this is stench. Not the eating of meat.(Sutta-Nipata-242).

Also Buddha said:

'I allow the monks meat that is quite pure in three respects: if it is not seen, heard or suspected to have been killed on purpose for a monk' (Jivaka Sutta, Majjhima Nikaya, verse 5).

[tobiaskelvin]

maybe all people follow wrong teachings. Because the enlightend ones know that you have to find the truth within yourself. So all lectures they give are non trues, just to let people realise nothing is true.

Everything is fake

[yogeeshashram]

If you have any type of pet (dog, cat, bird, horse, etc.) you will know what their purpose is. Can you eat your pet birds, dogs, and fish?

[cwalwanis]

Hmm interesting as I am a vegan Buddhist and every Buddhist practioner (not someone who just reads books or something like that but who truely practices with a teacher and sangha) I know is vegetarian or vegan. Also you can find many videos on my page that show how many Tibetan monks have/are speaking out against eating meat. If you want to be fully nonviolent why not get be vegan instead of being a part of the suffering caused by dairy farms ?

[ngothyeaun]

Strongly agree.