Expert: Justin Choo - 5/31/2010

Question
Hello, can a buddhist eat meat? Hunting and fishing are allowed in buddhism?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Kijkaan,

In Buddhism, there is no such thing as commandment prohibiting followers from indulging.  Buddhism points out what is right and what is wrong; but it's up to the individual to decide for his or her life.  If the person insists on acting unwholesomely, then this person must be prepared to face the dire consequenses that may befall him.  Hunting and fishing are unwholesome activities.

On the question of eating meat, consider this.  The dietician will tell you that you are what you eat. The fashion designer will tell you that you are what you wear. The Buddha told us that we are what we think, speak, and act. You see the difference?

The idea of not eating meat is actually to avoid KILLING. When we eat meat we are eating DEAD meat. Of course there is some justification to say that we are encouraging others to kill when we eat meat. If anyone feels that way, then there is no commandment from the Buddha that you must eat meat. By all means eat only vegetables. One thing for sure, you will be very healthy.
Vegetarianism and killing are two very different concepts. Killing means the taking of life.  Vegetarianism is to refrain from eating meat and eating only non-meat products.      

A lot of people misconstrue vegetarianism with "not killing". Likewise, they also accuse those who eat meat as encouraging killing, if not committing killing itself. Eating meat means eating "dead flesh". The animal is dead. If the person who eats the meat does not kill the animal, how can we accuse him of killing? The main issue here is the interpretation of what constitutes "killing".
Now we come to the analysis of what constitute "Killing". A person will be fully responsible for the killing if the following 5 conditions are fulfilled:

1. The victim of the killing must be a living being.
2. The killer must know the victim is a being.
3. The killer must have the volition to kill the victim.
4. The action of killing must be performed by the killer.
5. The victim dies as a result of this act.

So you see, eating dead meat is not killing! It is not wholesome to kill life intentionally.

Having said that, I am convinced that being a vegetarian is a very wholesome decision and a very healthy lifestyle as well.  If you can, please be a vegetarian.  If can’t then try reduce consumption of meat, especially animal meat.  But remember, eating meat per se is not killing.

If you need more info, please come back.

Take care.

Justin Choo