[Buddha-l] Re:on eating meat

[Joy Vriens]

Hi Laura,

> Although the principle behind eating (or using) meat (or something else) 
> that otherwise would be thrown away is good, I think it would still not 
> be acceptable because with that attitude we will never be able to break 
> the vicious circle.... I wish we 
> all had the strength to do it! (I am guilty I confess).

Yes, I felt it didn't really make a difference either as far as the 
ethical aspect of eating meat is concerned. But then I think the 
argument of breaking the vicious circle would also apply to bikkhus 
begging for food.
There are situations in which eating meat was necessary and still is 
necessary, but in the affluent West, that is less and less true, which 
means the ethical aspect becomes more and more evident. As Stephen 
suggested I believe, one day we will consider eating meat like we 
considered slavery etc. That is when the pendulum swings forward again.

Devadatta didn't eat diary products, perhaps that means he was a 
vegetarian too. Perhaps he will have an awesome comeback and become 
mainstream Buddhism one day. ;-)

Joy