Difference between revisions of "What the Buddha said about eating meat.By Ajahn Brahmavamso"
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| − | Since the very beginning of [[Buddhism]] over 2500 years ago, [[Buddhist]] [[monks and nuns]] have depended on [[almsfood]]. They were, and still are, prohibited from growing their own [[food]], storing their own provisions or cooking their own meals. Instead, every morning they would make their day's meal out of whatever was freely given to them by lay supporters. Whether it was rich [[food]] or coarse [[food]], delicious or awful [[tasting]] it was to be accepted with [[gratitude]] and eaten regarding it as [[medicine]]. The [[Buddha]] laid down several rules forbidding [[monks]] from asking for the [[food]] that they liked. As a result, they would receive just the sort of meals that [[ordinary people]] ate - and that was often | + | Since the very beginning of [[Buddhism]] over 2500 years ago, [[Buddhist]] [[monks and nuns]] have depended on [[almsfood]]. They were, and still are, prohibited from growing their own [[food]], storing their own provisions or cooking their own meals. Instead, every morning they would make their day's meal out of whatever was freely given to them by lay supporters. Whether it was rich [[food]] or coarse [[food]], delicious or awful [[tasting]] it was to be accepted with [[gratitude]] and eaten regarding it as [[medicine]]. The [[Buddha]] laid down several rules forbidding [[monks]] from asking for the [[food]] that they liked. As a result, they would receive just the sort of meals that [[ordinary people]] ate - and that was often meat. |
| − | Once, a rich and influential general by the [[name]] of [[Siha]] (meaning '[[Lion]]') went to visit the [[Buddha]]. [[Siha]] had been a famous lay supporter of the [[Jain]] [[monks]] but he was so impressed and inspired by the Teachings he heard from the [[Buddha]] that he took [[refuge]] in the [[Triple Gem]] (i.e. he became a [[Buddhist]]). General [[Siha]] then invited the [[Buddha]], together with the large number of [[monks]] accompanying Him, to a meal at his house in the city the following morning. In preparation for the meal, [[Siha]] told one of his servants to buy some | + | Once, a rich and influential general by the [[name]] of [[Siha]] (meaning '[[Lion]]') went to visit the [[Buddha]]. [[Siha]] had been a famous lay supporter of the [[Jain]] [[monks]] but he was so impressed and inspired by the Teachings he heard from the [[Buddha]] that he took [[refuge]] in the [[Triple Gem]] (i.e. he became a [[Buddhist]]). General [[Siha]] then invited the [[Buddha]], together with the large number of [[monks]] accompanying Him, to a meal at his house in the city the following morning. In preparation for the meal, [[Siha]] told one of his servants to buy some meat from the market for the feast. When the [[Jain]] [[monks]] heard of their erstwhile patron's [[conversion]] to [[Buddhism]] and the meal that he was preparing for the [[Buddha]] and the [[monks]], they were somewhat peeved: |
| − | "Now at the [[time]] many Niganthas ([[Jain]] [[monks]]), waving their arms, were moaning from carriage road to carriage road, from cross road to cross road in the city: 'Today a fat beast, killed by [[Siha]] the general, is made into a meal for the [[recluse]] [[Gotama]] (the [[Buddha]]), the [[recluse]] [[Gotama]] makes use of this | + | "Now at the [[time]] many Niganthas ([[Jain]] [[monks]]), waving their arms, were moaning from carriage road to carriage road, from cross road to cross road in the city: 'Today a fat beast, killed by [[Siha]] the general, is made into a meal for the [[recluse]] [[Gotama]] (the [[Buddha]]), the [[recluse]] [[Gotama]] makes use of this meat [[knowing]] that it was killed on purpose for him, that the [[deed]] was done for his sake'..." [1]. |
| − | [[Siha]] was making the [[ethical]] {{Wiki|distinction}} between buying | + | [[Siha]] was making the [[ethical]] {{Wiki|distinction}} between buying meat already prepared for sale and ordering a certain [[animal]] to be killed, a {{Wiki|distinction}} which is not obvious to many westerners but which recurs throughout the [[Buddha's]] own teachings. Then, to clarify the position on meat eating to the [[monks]], the [[Buddha]] said: |
| − | "[[Monks]], I allow you {{Wiki|fish}} and | + | "[[Monks]], I allow you {{Wiki|fish}} and meat that are quite [[pure]] in three respects: if they are not seen, heard or suspected to have been killed on purpose for a [[monk]]. But, you should not knowingly make use of meat killed on purpose for you." [2] |
| − | There are many places in the [[Buddhist scriptures]] which tell of the [[Buddha]] and his [[monks]] being [[offered]] | + | There are many places in the [[Buddhist scriptures]] which tell of the [[Buddha]] and his [[monks]] being [[offered]] meat and eating it. One of the most [[interesting]] of these passages occurs in the introductory story to a totally unrelated rule ([[Nissaggiya Pacittiya]] 5) and the observation that the meat is purely incidental to the main theme of the story emphasizes the authenticity of the passage: |
| − | [[Uppalavanna]] (meaning 'she of the lotus-like complexion') was one of the two chief {{Wiki|female}} [[disciples]] of the [[Buddha]]. She was [[ordained]] as a [[nun]] while still a young woman and soon became fully [[enlightened]]. As well as being an [[arahant]] ([[enlightened]]) she also possessed various [[psychic]] [[powers]] to the extent that the [[Buddha]] declared her to be foremost among all the women in this field. Once, while [[Uppalavanna]] was [[meditating]] alone in the afternoon in the 'Blind-Men's Grove', a secluded {{Wiki|forest}} outside of the city of [[Savatthi]], some thieves passed by. The thieves had just stolen a {{Wiki|cow}}, butchered it and were escaping with the | + | [[Uppalavanna]] (meaning 'she of the lotus-like complexion') was one of the two chief {{Wiki|female}} [[disciples]] of the [[Buddha]]. She was [[ordained]] as a [[nun]] while still a young woman and soon became fully [[enlightened]]. As well as being an [[arahant]] ([[enlightened]]) she also possessed various [[psychic]] [[powers]] to the extent that the [[Buddha]] declared her to be foremost among all the women in this field. Once, while [[Uppalavanna]] was [[meditating]] alone in the afternoon in the 'Blind-Men's Grove', a secluded {{Wiki|forest}} outside of the city of [[Savatthi]], some thieves passed by. The thieves had just stolen a {{Wiki|cow}}, butchered it and were escaping with the meat. [[Seeing]] the composed and [[serene]] [[nun]], the chief of the thieves quickly put some of the meat in a leaf-bag and left it for her. [[Uppalavanna]] picked up the meat and resolved to give it to the [[Buddha]]. Early next morning, having had the meat prepared, she rose into the [[air]] and flew to where the [[Buddha]] was staying, in the [[Bamboo Grove]] outside of [[Rajagaha]], over 200 kilometres as the [[crow]] (or [[nun]]?) flies! Though there is no specific mention of the [[Buddha]] actually consuming this meat, obviously a [[nun]] of such high [[attainments]] would certainly have known what the [[Buddha]] ate. |
| − | However there are some meats which are specifically prohibited for [[monks]] to eat: [[human]] | + | 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 {{Wiki|royal}} [[animals]]; {{Wiki|dog}} meat - as this was considered by [[ordinary people]] to be disgusting; and meat from {{Wiki|snakes}}, [[lions]], {{Wiki|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 {{Wiki|smell}} as to draw forth revenge from the same species! |
| − | Towards the end of the [[Buddha's life]], his cousin [[Devadatta]] attempted to usurp the [[leadership]] of the [[Order of monks]]. In order to win support from other [[monks]], [[Devadatta]] tried to be more strict than the [[Buddha]] and show Him up as indulgent. [[Devadatta]] proposed to the [[Buddha]] that all the [[monks]] should henceforth be {{Wiki|vegetarians}}. The [[Buddha]] refused and repeated once again the regulation that he had established years before, that [[monks and nuns]] may eat {{Wiki|fish}} or | + | Towards the end of the [[Buddha's life]], his cousin [[Devadatta]] attempted to usurp the [[leadership]] of the [[Order of monks]]. In order to win support from other [[monks]], [[Devadatta]] tried to be more strict than the [[Buddha]] and show Him up as indulgent. [[Devadatta]] proposed to the [[Buddha]] that all the [[monks]] should henceforth be {{Wiki|vegetarians}}. The [[Buddha]] refused and repeated once again the regulation that he had established years before, that [[monks and nuns]] may eat {{Wiki|fish}} or meat as long as it is not from an [[animal]] whose meat is specifically forbidden, and as long as they had no [[reason]] to believe that the [[animal]] was slaughtered specifically for them. |
| − | The [[Vinaya]], then, is quite clear on this {{Wiki|matter}}. [[Monks and nuns]] may eat | + | The [[Vinaya]], then, is quite clear on this {{Wiki|matter}}. [[Monks and nuns]] may eat meat. Even the [[Buddha]] ate meat. Unfortunately, meat eating is often seen by westerners as an {{Wiki|indulgence}} on the part of the [[monks]]. Nothing could be further from the [[truth]] - I was a strict [[vegetarian]] for three years before I became a [[monk]]. In my first years as a [[monk]] in North-East [[Thailand]], when I bravely faced many a meal of sticky {{Wiki|rice}} and boiled {{Wiki|frog}} (the whole [[body]] {{Wiki|bones}} and all), or rubbery snails, red-ant curry or fried grasshoppers - I would have given ANYTHING to be a [[vegetarian]] again! On my first {{Wiki|Christmas}} in N.E. [[Thailand]] an American came to visit the [[monastery]] a week or so before the 25th. It seemed too good to be true, he had a turkey farm and yes, he quickly understood how we lived and promised us a turkey for {{Wiki|Christmas}}. He said that he would choose a nice fat one especially for us... and my [[heart]] sank. We cannot accept meat [[knowing]] it was killed especially for [[monks]]. We refused his offer. So I had to settle for part of the villager's meal - frogs again. |
| − | [[Monks]] may not exercise choice when it comes to [[food]] and that is much harder than being a [[vegetarian]]. Nonetheless, we may encourage [[vegetarianism]] and if our lay supporters brought only [[vegetarian]] [[food]] and no | + | [[Monks]] may not exercise choice when it comes to [[food]] and that is much harder than being a [[vegetarian]]. Nonetheless, we may encourage [[vegetarianism]] and if our lay supporters brought only [[vegetarian]] [[food]] and no meat, well... [[monks]] may not complain either! May you take the hint and be kind to [[animals]]./. |
[[Category:Vinaya Pitaka]] | [[Category:Vinaya Pitaka]] | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.budsas.org/ebud/ebsut034.htm www.budsas.org] | [http://www.budsas.org/ebud/ebsut034.htm www.budsas.org] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:55, 30 December 2014
Since the very beginning of Buddhism over 2500 years ago, Buddhist monks and nuns have depended on almsfood. They were, and still are, prohibited from growing their own food, storing their own provisions or cooking their own meals. Instead, every morning they would make their day's meal out of whatever was freely given to them by lay supporters. Whether it was rich food or coarse food, delicious or awful tasting it was to be accepted with gratitude and eaten regarding it as medicine. The Buddha laid down several rules forbidding monks from asking for the food that they liked. As a result, they would receive just the sort of meals that ordinary people ate - and that was often meat.
Once, a rich and influential general by the name of Siha (meaning 'Lion') went to visit the Buddha. Siha had been a famous lay supporter of the Jain monks but he was so impressed and inspired by the Teachings he heard from the Buddha that he took refuge in the Triple Gem (i.e. he became a Buddhist). General Siha then invited the Buddha, together with the large number of monks accompanying Him, to a meal at his house in the city the following morning. In preparation for the meal, Siha told one of his servants to buy some meat from the market for the feast. When the Jain monks heard of their erstwhile patron's conversion to Buddhism and the meal that he was preparing for the Buddha and the monks, they were somewhat peeved:
"Now at the time many Niganthas (Jain monks), waving their arms, were moaning from carriage road to carriage road, from cross road to cross road in the city: 'Today a fat beast, killed by Siha the general, is made into a meal for the recluse Gotama (the Buddha), the recluse Gotama makes use of this meat knowing that it was killed on purpose for him, that the deed was done for his sake'..." [1].
Siha was making the ethical distinction between buying meat already prepared for sale and ordering a certain animal to be killed, a distinction which is not obvious to many westerners but which recurs throughout the Buddha's own teachings. Then, to clarify the position on meat eating to the monks, the Buddha said:
"Monks, I allow you fish and meat that are quite pure in three respects: if they are not seen, heard or suspected to have been killed on purpose for a monk. But, you should not knowingly make use of meat killed on purpose for you." [2]
There are many places in the Buddhist scriptures which tell of the Buddha and his monks being offered meat and eating it. One of the most interesting of these passages occurs in the introductory story to a totally unrelated rule (Nissaggiya Pacittiya 5) and the observation that the meat is purely incidental to the main theme of the story emphasizes the authenticity of the passage:
Uppalavanna (meaning 'she of the lotus-like complexion') was one of the two chief female disciples of the Buddha. She was ordained as a nun while still a young woman and soon became fully enlightened. As well as being an arahant (enlightened) she also possessed various psychic powers to the extent that the Buddha declared her to be foremost among all the women in this field. Once, while Uppalavanna was meditating alone in the afternoon in the 'Blind-Men's Grove', a secluded forest outside of the city of Savatthi, some thieves passed by. The thieves had just stolen a cow, butchered it and were escaping with the meat. Seeing the composed and serene nun, the chief of the thieves quickly put some of the meat in a leaf-bag and left it for her. Uppalavanna picked up the meat and resolved to give it to the Buddha. Early next morning, having had the meat prepared, she rose into the air and flew to where the Buddha was staying, in the Bamboo Grove outside of Rajagaha, over 200 kilometres as the crow (or nun?) flies! Though there is no specific mention of the Buddha actually consuming this meat, obviously a nun of such high attainments would certainly have known what the Buddha ate.
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!
Towards the end of the Buddha's life, his cousin Devadatta attempted to usurp the leadership of the Order of monks. In order to win support from other monks, Devadatta tried to be more strict than the Buddha and show Him up as indulgent. Devadatta proposed to the Buddha that all the monks should henceforth be vegetarians. The Buddha refused and repeated once again the regulation that he had established years before, that monks and nuns may eat fish or meat as long as it is not from an animal whose meat is specifically forbidden, and as long as they had no reason to believe that the animal was slaughtered specifically for them.
The Vinaya, then, is quite clear on this matter. Monks and nuns may eat meat. Even the Buddha ate meat. Unfortunately, meat eating is often seen by westerners as an indulgence on the part of the monks. Nothing could be further from the truth - I was a strict vegetarian for three years before I became a monk. In my first years as a monk in North-East Thailand, when I bravely faced many a meal of sticky rice and boiled frog (the whole body bones and all), or rubbery snails, red-ant curry or fried grasshoppers - I would have given ANYTHING to be a vegetarian again! On my first Christmas in N.E. Thailand an American came to visit the monastery a week or so before the 25th. It seemed too good to be true, he had a turkey farm and yes, he quickly understood how we lived and promised us a turkey for Christmas. He said that he would choose a nice fat one especially for us... and my heart sank. We cannot accept meat knowing it was killed especially for monks. We refused his offer. So I had to settle for part of the villager's meal - frogs again.
Monks may not exercise choice when it comes to food and that is much harder than being a vegetarian. Nonetheless, we may encourage vegetarianism and if our lay supporters brought only vegetarian food and no meat, well... monks may not complain either! May you take the hint and be kind to animals./.
