In
Buddhism, the views on vegetarianism vary between different schools of thought.
According to Theravada, The Buddha categorically prohibited consumption of the
flesh of any animal that was "seen, heard or suspected" to have been
killed specifically for the benefit of monks (Jivaka Sutta, Majjhima Nikaya
55). This rule technically applies only to monastics, but it can be used as a
reasonable guide by devout lay people.
In
Vajrayana, the act of eating meat is not always prohibited. The Mahayana
schools generally recommend a vegetarian diet, as some believe that the Buddha
insisted that his followers should not eat the flesh of any sentient being.[2]
Monks of the Mahayana traditions that follow the Brahma Net Sutra are forbidden
by their vows from eating flesh of any kind.
However
there are some meats which are specifically prohibited for monks to eat: human
meat, for obvious reasons; meat from elephants and horses as these were then
considered royal animals; dog meat - as this was considered by ordinary people
to be disgusting; and meat from snakes, lions, tigers, panthers, bears and
hyenas - because one who had just eaten the flesh of such dangerous jungle
animals was thought to give forth such a smell as to draw forth revenge from
the same species!
Nowadays
many are talking about being vegetarian.
Some of
them say it is a must to become a vegetarian.
Some says we are killers if eat meat.
Some
says there is no problem eating meat.
Some
says those who eat meat turn their stomach into a cemetery.
Some
says people kill animal because we eat them.
However
we can get answers to the above queries by the below examples;
Once a
monk got some food stuck in his throat
and another monk hit him by thinking to release him and save… the food stuck in
the throat came out but the monk died… then the other monk who hit was feel bad
and went to Samma Sambuddha and ask whether he is guilty or not guilty. Then Samma Sambuddha asked what was the
“Thought” you had on the time you hit him?
Then the monk said “I just wanted to save him, didn’t want to see him
die”... Then Samma Sambuddha said “then you are not guilty… if your thought was
to kill then only you are guilty”
Another
occasion one monk suffered a lot from a disease and other monks thought its
better this monk die than suffering in such manner… then they pour some water into the sick monk
and he died. Then those monks went to
the Samma Sambuddha and ask whether they guilty or not guilty. Then Samma Sambuddha asked what was the
“Thought” you had on the time you put water on him? Then the monks were saying “we thought its
better he die than suffering like that”... Then Samma Sambuddha said “oh monks
you all are guilty… and break the rules which are not allowed”
Therefore
the bottom line of being a vegetarian and a non vegetarian solely depends on
your thought…!! You cannot blame a person who eat meat or vise verse..!!
Lord
Budhha had said ‘ Chetanaham bikka wei kamman wadami, chetaithwa kamma karothi
papakan’ Intention is the most important
aspect in the whole wide world if you had a bad intention in doing a good work
then it will be a sin.
Our
intention or thought is the most important aspect that matters most not only being
a veg or non veg but also in every work that we do daily….!!!
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