[world-vedic] e-Mantra for good luck from Dalai Lama

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

We know eating habits are very culture and environment dependent. To have same

eating having across all geograpihcal areas is simply impossible.

Tibet is a very cold place. And so is north-east india. To survive in this cold

human bodies need high-protein food. eg: meat. Cattle, mountain goat (not just

cow) and yak are major source of meat.

In plain it is very easy to have a good diet out of vegetarian food. Think. All

cold regions across world are heavily meat eaters. Tibet was meat eating even

before Buddha happened. They, are non-violent. That can be seen from the way

they responded to Chinese agression. They immolated self rather than burn a

soldier.

We should understand a cultures habit and try to respect them. And where there

is a need of change, suggest one. Like suggesting an equivalent food, in this

case.

Dinker Charak

-----------------------------

Software Engineer, Open Systems Group

DCM Technologies, India

http://www.dcmtech.com

The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the

opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.

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Frank Morales[sMTP:fmorale1 (AT) students (DOT) wisc.edu]

Saturday, April 01, 2000 4:21 AM

vediculture

[world-vedic] Re: e-Mantra for good luck from Dalai Lama

Dear Indira Dasi,

Namaskar. It's very true that Buddhism, generally speaking, does

encourage ahimsa - and by logical extension, vegetarianism. The Buddha Himself

(an avatara of Sriman Narayana), of course, taught strict vegetarianism (as per

the Srimad Bhagavatam, etc.). Tibetan Buddhists, however, do not adhere to

anything even remotely resembling a vegetarian diet. In fact, meat constitutes

the majority of their diet. The Dalai Lama himself eats meat (I have met him),

as do all Tibetan Buddhist lamas and nuns.

I know dozens of such lamas and Richpoches, and have debated with them

on this account. The non-philosophical answer that I'm usually given by them

for this behavior is that, due to Tibet's harsh climate and terrain, it would

not be really possible for Tibetan Buddhists to be vegetarians even if they

wanted to. The philosophical account is much more complex, but revolves around

the Buddhist conception that the ultimate reality is comprised of Sunyata,

therefore leading to the negation of moral norms in any absolute sense.

It is quite disheartening that individuals who claim to follow the

non-violent precepts of the Buddha would be meat-eaters. It would be wonderful

if devotees could patiently and lovingly encourage Tibetan Buddhists to take up

vegetarianism.

Jaya Sri Rama,

Frank Morales

(Pranakrsna dasa)

At 12:03 AM 3/31/2000 +0200, you wrote:

>>>>

Hare Krishna!

Thanks for your reply on e-mantra from Dalai Lama.

In Vedic literature it is said that the main teaching of Lord Buddha was

'ahimsa' which is non-violence. This means no killing in any way, which

includes a vegetarian diet.

The highest authorities of Buddhism like the Dalai Lama certainly teaches

ahimsa. I have never met the Dalai Lama, however, I suppose you can be sure

that he will not touch meat either.

If you have met some Buddhist monks enjoying meat and even beef of cow, you can

be certain that these persons have not been true Buddhist monks but cheaters.

I hope you are satisfied with this answer.

Kind regards, Hare Krishna.

Indira dasi.

-------------------------

 

Frank Morales

Languages and Cultures of Asia

University of Wisconsin-Madison

fmorale1 (AT) students (DOT) wisc.edu

Home (608) 288-0266

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would intervene before truth came so close to him that in the immediate now it

would determine his duty for action at that very moment?"

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