(no subject)
I study Nichiren Buddhism under the lay organization Soka Gakkai International, Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is an organization committed to the promotion of peace, culture and education, rooted in the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism. In our little liturgy books there is a pray in the back that reads pray for peace throughout the world and the happiness of all living beings and recently I believe it has been changed to human beings. Not only that but I see a lot of my fellow Buddhists eating meat still. I do not feel it is my mission to convert people into veganism but rather I'd like to just get them to agree that being an omnivore causes more harm than good. Perhaps from there veganism can be achieved. In this particular Buddhism dialogue and studying are key factors. But still, I know very few vegans in this practice. There are some vegetarians but not many.
Anyway, I tried to get some answers about that today. I asked, "Why do a lot of the Buddhists we know continue to eat meat? I find it to be very cruel and Daisaku Ikeda and Nichiren Dashonin talk about peaceful societies but how can they still eat meat and follow the words of these two men?" My friend gave me a couple of answers I am not satisfied with. He told me, "Read the gosho "Earthly Desires are Enlightenment" http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=317
Buddhism is more about moderation and balance than it is about one extreme or another. It is personal preference. Eating animals is not cruel. It is fundamentally different from saying that some processes used to create food are cruel. Very few people actually kill the animals they eat. Every person's mission and karmic struggle is different. Plants and vegetables are still being killed, as well. Plants are still part of our environment, just as animals are. The central nervous system is one part that makes up animals. Their spirit and inner self -- their buddhahood -- is another. All living things have this buddhahood. Eating meat in excess or killing animals for sport is an entirely different thing. They eat the animals to gain the protein. Yes you can get protein from many other things However, all people can achieve the same thing through a means different than they do at present. If you want to understand why Nichiren Buddhists do something that is an earthly desire. Read Nichiren's Daishonin's letter about why earthly desires are enlightenment and why they are acceptable.
The point is that all societies adapt and need to adapt to be useful to the most people at a particular time."
Holy, man.. that was a lot. I am pretty bad at arguing, yknow? I just don't know what to say to this. Normally people completely understand that eating meat contributes negatively to society and although they continue to eat it they acknowledge it is not the best course of action. I am just frustrated. I am still confused about how earthly desires are enlightenment so if anyone can help me with that. If you want you can read the gosho, I linked it above. I'd love to discuss it with a vegan and get your thoughts on it. (it honestly confuses the hell out of me) Thanks a lot.
Anyway, I tried to get some answers about that today. I asked, "Why do a lot of the Buddhists we know continue to eat meat? I find it to be very cruel and Daisaku Ikeda and Nichiren Dashonin talk about peaceful societies but how can they still eat meat and follow the words of these two men?" My friend gave me a couple of answers I am not satisfied with. He told me, "Read the gosho "Earthly Desires are Enlightenment" http://www.sgilibrary.org/view.php?page=317
Buddhism is more about moderation and balance than it is about one extreme or another. It is personal preference. Eating animals is not cruel. It is fundamentally different from saying that some processes used to create food are cruel. Very few people actually kill the animals they eat. Every person's mission and karmic struggle is different. Plants and vegetables are still being killed, as well. Plants are still part of our environment, just as animals are. The central nervous system is one part that makes up animals. Their spirit and inner self -- their buddhahood -- is another. All living things have this buddhahood. Eating meat in excess or killing animals for sport is an entirely different thing. They eat the animals to gain the protein. Yes you can get protein from many other things However, all people can achieve the same thing through a means different than they do at present. If you want to understand why Nichiren Buddhists do something that is an earthly desire. Read Nichiren's Daishonin's letter about why earthly desires are enlightenment and why they are acceptable.
The point is that all societies adapt and need to adapt to be useful to the most people at a particular time."
Holy, man.. that was a lot. I am pretty bad at arguing, yknow? I just don't know what to say to this. Normally people completely understand that eating meat contributes negatively to society and although they continue to eat it they acknowledge it is not the best course of action. I am just frustrated. I am still confused about how earthly desires are enlightenment so if anyone can help me with that. If you want you can read the gosho, I linked it above. I'd love to discuss it with a vegan and get your thoughts on it. (it honestly confuses the hell out of me) Thanks a lot.