Vegan Buddhism
What is Vegan Buddhism?
Vegan Buddhism is an evolution towards a more altruistic and compassionate lifestyle that follows the first precept of Buddhism of non-harming (Pali, Sanskrit: ahimsa).
Different from a vegetarian, a Vegan Buddhist helps eliminate animal suffering by not eating meat, eggs, dairy products or consuming any other product derived from an animal.
Join the Vegan Buddhism Discussion Group
On the Vegan Buddhism Discussion Group please feel free to post or comment on anything you think is relative to this group. This includes anything relative to Vegan Buddhism, vegetarianism, Vegan Spirituality, Engaged Buddhism through compassionate diet and consumption, compassion towards animals, ahimsa, bodhichitta, animal liberation for spiritual reasons, Interfaith Vegan, and interfaith dialogue regarding compassion towards animals.
"My body is my temple. What I consume represents compassion or suffering. I choose compassion." - Alan Dale
"Compassion is the ultimate spiritual path to our higher self or God. The vegan choice is a choice for compassion with a reverence for all sentient beings. It is a communion that can transform us and make for a better world." - Alan Dale
"There is only this ever present moment to live compassionately with all life." - Alan Dale
Buddhism and Veganism: Essays Connecting Spiritual Awakening and Animal Liberation
by Will Tuttle (Author, Editor), Madeleine Tuttle (Illustrator)
*** This book includes an essay by Alan Dale ***
Many of us are surprised to discover that Buddhist monks, lamas, and teachers often eat the flesh and secretions of animals. What is the underlying relationship between Buddhism and veganism? Can we awaken spiritually and morally while participating in our culture's ongoing abuse of animals for food and other products? Do the Buddhist teachings require or even explicitly encourage vegan living, or is veganism seen as a personal choice? As Buddhism continues to spread, and as interest in veganism is burgeoning, these questions are heating up and call for a more thorough investigation. This book is a collection of teachings and stories by people who are committed to both Buddhism and veganism, and who share a variety of insightful perspectives on how spiritual awakening and animal liberation interconnect and reinforce each other. Their inspiring wisdom reveals intriguing keys to a better world for us all.