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Expert: - 6/1/2010


Question
Hi! Can a buddhist eat an animal that is alive at the same time that is going to be eaten (for example, an oyster)?

Thank you very much.

Answer
Dear Bakii,

Thank you for the opportunity to answer your question.

A Buddhist can do anything they want, whenever they want - the only catch is that they will be subject to the karma that will follow. As we often hear in life, nothing is free. No action is devoid of a result and some results are stronger than others.

If we are eating an animal that is live (alive), that means we are killing it - wholeheartedly, intentionally, purposely. This means that we will have to pay for our karma. The animal being killed most likely is not wholeheartedly dying of its own choice, therefore we have created negative karma and will have to repay it in some way, shape or form as yet to be seen.

However, it is different if the animal is already dead by another person's intention and hand. Then, when the food gets to you, it is no longer a live animal, but rather a leftover carcass. This is a different issue.

This applies not only to Buddhists, but to all life forms - human, animal, birds, insects...Everyone values their life, EVERYONE and no one wants to be forcibly deprived of life. Therefore, when someone does deprive us of the chance to live, we will be vengeful and seek retribution. That is the karma that we must repay. Nothing in life is free.

I hope I have answered your questions.

Sincerely,

Phra Anandapanyo

Buddhists

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Anandapanyo Bhikkhu

Expertise

I can answer questions about Buddhist practice, Buddhist understanding and how to apply Buddhism to daily life. I can help analyze Buddhist sayings and teachings. In addition, I can help with questions Buddhism stories, fables and Vinaya(rules). I have meditated for over 10 years and can help you start with meditation. In addition, I can help provide insight into what to do when you feel that you have hit a wall with your meditation. My main area of expertise is how to think in accordance with Sammaditthi (the right view - and number 1 in the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path. If I cannot answer your question, I have many able teachers with over 20 years experience to help me, so chances are I will be able to find an answer for you.

Experience

I have been practicing Buddhism for over 13 years. I started studying under various famous Thai Theravada masters. Finally, I met and studied under Phra Acariya Thoon Khippapanyo who has recently passed away on Nov 11, 2008 and is widely accepted as a great Arahant (fully enlightened) teacher of our time. In addition, I have personally read and studied much of the Buddhist scriptures and popular literature available. I have recently undertaken the ordination vows and have become a Buddhist monk in the theravada forest monk tradition. I reside at a temple with many dedicated practitioners and great teachers. I have been practicing training my mind to be aligned with right view (sammaditthi) for over 10 years. I have also been meditating for over 10 years. In my time spent with Acariya Thoon, I learned many things and was able to incorporate them into my life. In addition to practicing Buddhism within temples and my home, I used to own two restaurants and managed commercial real estate. I had to deal with many different and problems. I learned how to use Buddhism to fix my problems, both externally (my environment) and internally (within me).

Organizations
Wat San Fran Dhammaram Temple KPY - a non-profit religious organization

Publications
none

Education/Credentials
Electrical Engineering Degree from the University of California Santa Barbara MBA from San Francisco State

Awards and Honors
none

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