What I Learned About Being a Vegetation and Buddhism

I enjoy reading the advice columns from time to time while I enjoy my coffee in the morning. And every now and them I come across an article where a vegetarian faces some conflict where the host serves a meat based dish. This situation can, and often does, lead to some from of disagreement between the family, host, and guest.

I will tell you my experiences for your consideration. 

For many years I have been vegetarian, borderline vegan, as well as a devout Buddhist. This never posed a problem for me even eating out at a steakhouse with friends, after all there are typically fries, blooming onions, and such on the menu. As a Buddhist I am very aware of the suffering this animal went through as it was being slaughtered. 

However, where I would often encounter my dilemma would be when we would be invited to another persons home and I would be offered a meat based dish. Deep down I know our host went through a lot of effort in preparation and presentation and to see disappointment in their eyes when I would inform them of my vegetarianism was saddening. On these occasions the host would graciously prepare something else so that I too could partake, but the mood was not the same.

Even through all of my experiences witnessing monks eating meat I had a hard time reconciling what to do. Also drawing upon my experiences I know that monks are not allowed to refuse any offering given by laity, including meat based dishes. In fact, Buddha ate meat. Even with his infinite compassion there is a reason for this action.

The Buddha understood this and established rules for monks when it comes time to eating meat. First, the animal was not to be slaughtered especially for them. Second, there are several animal species that may not be eaten like elephants, dogs, lions,...

People want to give and they give what they can. People give because thy know that generosity is it's own reward. People give to the monks out of respect for their path. Monks give up the homelife in order to better the world through meditation and dharma teachings. People give to generate positive karma and earn merit for a better next life. If a monk were to refuse an offering this action would promote suffering for both the giver and recipient. 

This was made so very obvious to me during my last visit to Cambodia. We travelled to many peoples homes, wealthy and poor alike, and each time we were offered meat based dishes. To turn away their generosity would hurt their feelings, which is suffering. Promoting suffering is not nurturing compassion and empathy towards others and is the opposite of the meaning of Buddhism.

So where do I stand now? What are my views towards being a vegetarian?

All of the Buddhas teachings are promoting the 'middle way'. Not living in either extreme of indulgence or deprivation. 

As such, at home or when I go out to a restaurant I do not order meat based dishes. However when I am invited into another's home I do not refuse what is being offered. In doing so, I promote good feelings with the host and those around me which helps ease suffering in the world.

And easing suffering is a step towards liberation.

Sathu. Sathu. Sathu.

 

Educate Your Mind With The Dharma.

 

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Vladimir warmly and skillfully passes on the Buddhas Dharma to a world in need of loving-kindness, compassion, and empathy for the benefit of all living beings.

 

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Songkran 2023

This year I had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate Songkran at Wat Buddhavas in Houston, Tx. with my mother, her husband, my wife, and my daughter. Songkran is the Thai New Year although it is also celebrated throughout Southeast Asia in countries such as Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Laos. 

The term Songkran is a Sanskrit word meaning 'to move' or 'movement' and marks the solar New Year and is celebrated over a period of three days. Celebrations during this time involve making merit with visiting temples or pagodas and making offerings to the monks. Songkran is also known for its 'water festival' where people pour water over statues of the Buddha as well as over the hands of the monks and elderly. This water pouring represents purification and the washing away of bad luck. Streets are often closed and people enjoy playful water fights and sometimes also throw a white powder at each other too.

Wat Buddhavas is a beautiful Wat and has 8 monks including the Abbot. When I arrived Saturday night after driving down from Minneapolis most of the activities were concluding but there was still much going on. People were eating the various types of street food such as noodle soup, fried bananas, stick rice, and grilled meats. What was really nice was to see the level of involvement of young people. Too often I find that when immigrants come to the US their children loose so much of what their culture offers simply so they may 'fit in' here. To see otherwise here was certainly a nice reprise.

The next day, Sunday, we arrived at the temple around 9:30 AM. My mothers husband, Yutana, is a former monk and leads or emcees the various events such as Songkran. At 10:30 we all sat in the temple where we enjoyed the monks chanting and the alms-giving ceremony. It was during this event that I was walking behind the monks as they collected their offerings from the lay people in attendance. Offerings consist of rice, foods, and money which after collected are sorted and counted all in support of Wat.

From 11 - 12 PM the monks and the lay people enjoyed lunch together. It is customary that lay people cook food and offer it to the monks. What's leftover, and it's always a lot, is shared joyfully with all in attendance. At 1 PM we all gathered back in the temple to listen to a sermon about the meaning of Songkran and to receive the blessings from the monks. Lastly, at 2 PM we all walked around the temple three times in celebration of Songkran and then bathed the Buddha, monks, and elders.

Holidays, no matter the origination, are an important part of ones culture. They carry meaning and significance that are necessary to maintaining cultural identity, cultural connections, and family connections especially when one is far away from the country of origin. Festivals such as Songkran are open to the public and allow for those outside of the particular community to learn more about them. Learning about other cultures, instead of shying away from them as something 'foreign', builds understanding which sometimes seems to be in short supply.

It is when we understand one another that unity and peace are able to be cultivated and fostered.

Happy Songkran 2023 my dear friends.

 

Wishing you continued peace and wellbeing,

 

Vladimir

 

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