Buddhist Resources on Vegetarianism and animal welfare.

On the very eve of Buddha's death, the Buddha states that "the eating of meat extinguishes the seeds of Great Kindness".

According to the Buddha in the Angulimaliya Sutra, since all beings share the same "dhatu" (spiritual principle or essence) and are intimately related to one another, killing and eating other sentient creatures is tantmount to a form of self-killing and cannibalism. The sutras which inveigh against meat-eating include the Nirvana Sutra, the Shurangama Sutra, the Brahmajala Sutra, the Angulimaliya Stura, the Mahamegha Sutra, and the Lankavatara Sutra, as well as the Buddha's comments on the negative karmic effects of meat consumption in the Karma Sutra.The eating of birds and fish was permissible because these are not considered to be sentient creatures.

However, it should be understood that not all Buddhist adhere to the vegetarian diet, according to various Buddhist traditions and practices worldwide.

The Buddha had also declared that meat could be eaten. In the Jivaka Sutra...

"meat should not be eaten under three circumstances: when it is seen or heard or suspected (that aliving being has been purposely slaughtered for the eater); these, Jivaka, are the three circumstances in which meat should not be eat, Jivaka! I declare there are three circumstances in which meat can be eaten: when it is not seen or heard, or suspected (that a living being has been purposely slaughtered for the eater); Jivaka, I say these are the three circumstances in which meat can be eaten."

Sensei Thompson encourages everyone to practice vegetarianism when at all possible.

Please visit these links to learn more about vegetarianism.