Veganism?

[Ervin]

Peace. I am guessing that plant base food doesn't feel pain when eaten. I suppose plants don't have a nervous system to process pain. Wouldn't it be like cuting your nails or hair when we do it to fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc. Plants don't have brains also to process pain.

I would say that it would mean that we are more compassionate if we where vegan for the reasons I mentioned. Yet sometimes I think it might be ok to eat meat. I suppose the monotheistic teachings say that you can eat animals.

So what do you think? Is it more compassionate to be vegan?

And if and or since you don't believe in monotheism where do you get moral authority from to eat animals and their products?

Thanks

[Nighthawk]

It is also compassionate to be a vegetarian and is easier to maintain in the long run.

[Indrajala]

Peace. I am guessing that plant base food doesn't feel pain when eaten. I suppose plants don't have a nervous system to process pain. Wouldn't it be like cuting your nails or hair when we do it to fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc. Plants don't have brains also to process pain.

I would say that it would mean that we are more compassionate if we where vegan for the reasons I mentioned. Yet sometimes I think it might be ok to eat meat. I suppose the monotheistic teachings say that you can eat animals.

So what do you think? Is it more compassionate to be vegan?

Veganism has a history of existing in East Asia. Not in India, though, where dairy is as common as table salt.

The justification for not eating eggs was that it qualified, according to some, as theft. Dairy was not widely consumed in East Asian countries up until a few decades ago. Hence a lot of Buddhists who abstained from fish and meats were effectively vegan.

In our present day where dairy production is just as cruel and harsh to animals as industrial meat production, abstaining from dairy for both ethical and health reasons is best, unless you are sure where your dairy products are coming from. Keep in mind though a dairy cow that stops producing milk is of little use and will probably be put to death.

And if and or since you don't believe in monotheism where do you get moral authority from to eat animals and their products?

I don't think Buddhists who eat meat or dairy think about having a moral authority to consume such things. It is just a matter of whether or not you believe it is ethical.

[catmoon]

Thread locked. If you wish to continue this discussion, please post in "The Great Vegetarian Debate" in the Dharma Free-for-all area.