Meat eating is a very sensitive topic. There are many different views on this and each may be right to a certain extent, but they may not necessarily be wise. In this case, we should put aside our personal views and be open enough to look at the Buddha’s views.
There is no space in Buddhism, for people to Sell Meat. It was rejected by Buddha by 7. Vaṇijjāsuttaṃ, Aṅguttaranikāya Pañcakanipātapāḷi (18) 3. Upāsakavaggo. – 177. ‘‘Pañcimā , bhikkhave, vaṇijjā upāsakena akaraṇīyā. Katamā pañca? Satthavaṇijjā, sattavaṇijjā, maṃsavaṇijjā, majjavaṇijjā, visavaṇijjā – imā kho, bhikkhave, pañca vaṇijjā upāsakena akaraṇīyā’’ti. Sattamaṃ.
(“Monks, a lay follower should not engage in five types of business. Which five? Business in weapons, business in human beings, business in meat, business in intoxicants, and business in poison.
“These are the five types of business that a lay follower should not engage in.”)
Although various schools of Buddhism have different interpretations of the Buddha’s teachings, all generally agree that the four Nikayas (collections), namely, the Digha Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya, and Anguttara Nikaya, This sutta was in Anguttaranikaya. In this sutta Meat selling was rejected. Vaṇijjāsuttaṃ – This discourse is particularly important because it is here that the Buddha clearly stated his position on meat Selling. When you go deep in this concept, It is clear that Buddha has rejected Killing & It was inserted to Five Precept, Panathipata – Also refer 1 Pānātipātisuttaṃ Aṅguttara Nikāya, 027. Kammapathavaggo . 027.01. Bhikkhus, endowed with four things as though led and lain is in hell. What four? One destroying living things, incites others to destroy living things, approves the destruction of living things and praises the destroyer of life.(To read this sutta in Pali click here)
If there are no killings, No meat selling, There will be no place to buy Meat, This is perfect common sense as what we choose to eat is linked to the lives and deaths of many. There will be no slaughter of any animal for meat if no one demands for it, Also if you buy meat, automatically you are exposed for promoting the meat business which was rejected by Buddha. Then as a Buddhist, are you in positing to justify the buying?
Becoming vegetarian or vegan plays a big part in making the world a better place. The most effective way to stop killing and cruelty is to vote against that inflicted on millions of animals daily by no demanding meat.
A fundamental value that Buddhism imbibes in people is that life is precious, that all sentient beings desire to live, fear death, harm and suffering and that one should act in such a way that would guarantee the safety of life of all.
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