Ahimsa - Turn to Vegetarianism

Yes, i agree with you, Leena, that sitting in front of an enlightened master works miracles within us, but we must also think of those who are not spiritually inclined. You and i - all of us - have felt the transformation within when Pujya Guruji tells us to give up something that has been a habit, or even an addiction, for years, but what about a person who refuses to accept it? We must be prepared with answers that are appealing not only to people who are spiritually prone, but also to scientific brains and intellectuals.

Here are some points that, after getting in contact with a few such people, i discovered were the reasons for them to give up eating meat:

1. The suffering of animals when they are kept in cages, and their suffering when they anticipate death, is great. They also generate hormones of tension and stress, which remain in the blood even after they are killed. Therefore, these hormones are absorbed by those who eat them, causing stress and tension in turn.

2. Land usage: it takes a lot of land to grow food for one cow (which will be eaten); you can use the same land to feed many more people directly through agriculture.

3. From many environmental points of view, in fact, such as forests being cut down for cows to graze so that burgers can be made, vegetarian is better than non-vegetarian. The same land produces more veg food than non-veg food through grazing.

4. Evolutionarily we are omnivores, and it is 'natural' for us to eat meat. But because we are at the top of the food chain, and our population is too large, if we all eat meat at the rate that is 'natural' for us it is simply not sustainable.

5. There are arguments about the inhumane conditions at abattoirs (where animals are bred and butchered).

However, one of them came up with a point that made me think. According to her, we must try not to come across as wanting to 'convert' the world into vegetarians, since if you were stuck on an island with no food but fish, would you not eat it to survive?! She feels that that is a good question and reminds us that reasons for being vegetarians have to be rational and not religious.

We must find an answer to that question...Suren, can you think of something to say that would convince her to remain a vegetarian - whatever be the circumstances???

"No Himsa (cruelty), become a Hamsa (enlightened one)!"

maitri.