Expert: Justin Choo - 11/11/2010

Question
Sir,

 i got an email, in which i saw photos of people eating human flesh by cutting part by part in thailand.

 Is it allowed in buddhism especially buddhism in thailand is followed in high majority.
 What do you say to those people ?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Uday,

In this day and age, we are exposed to all sorts of things; thanks to the internet.  However we got to be careful to seive through all this information.  Some of them are hoaxes.

Coming back to your question, please remember that humans are the same everywhere.  We put labels in us, Indians, Chinese, Americans, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and all things else.  In each of us the three evil roots influence our thoughts and actions.  They are greed, hatred and illusion, in varying degrees.  They may be subtle like feeling aversion, and doing stupid things.  On the other extreme, they raise their ugly heads in the form of extreme racism, religious fanaticism and ideological intolerance; all fertile ammunition leading to destruction and wars.  

What you saw, if it is true, is the ugly side of humanity.  This has nothing to do with their religion.  Most probably they don't even have a clue to what Buddhism actually is.  The teachings of the Buddha is not that you must become a Buddhist, which is just another label.  The Buddha encouraged us to reduce our greed, hatred and delusion, and to live a harmless and peaceful life.  

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Justin Choo