Vegetarianism: A Buddhist View

by Bodhipaksa

How does what we eat affect us and our world? Is there a connection between vegetarianism and living a spiritual life? Doesn’t the Dalai Lama eat meat? A trained vet, respected teacher, and happy vegan, Bodhipaksa answers all of these questions and more. Tackling issues such as genetically modified vegetables and modern ways of producing food, he dispels widespread myths and reflects upon the diets dominant in the contemporary West. In comparison, he considers the diets of wandering monks in ancient India and the diet of the Buddha himself. By considering why people eat meat and relating this to Buddhist ethics, he explores habits and the possibility of change. He shows how to maintain a healthy and balanced vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, and shows how a meat-free life can not only lighten the body but also the soul. Bodhipaksa is a Buddhist practitioner, writer, and teacher, and is the founder of www.wildmind.org, an online meditation resource. He lives in New Hampshire with his family and conducts classes at Aryaloka Buddhist Center in Newmarket, New Hampshire. He is the author of the bestsselling Wildmind .

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Vegetarianism, Philosophy, Health

104 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

About the author

I’m a Buddhist teacher and author living in New Hampshire, but originally from Scotland.

I got the Sanskrit name (which means “Wings of Enlightenment,” incidentally) when I joined the Western Buddhist Order in 1993, after 11 years of Buddhist practice. I practice at Aryaloka Buddhist Center, which is just down the road.

I run Wildmind, which has a mission to spread compassion and mindfulness through the practice of Buddhist meditation. We offer an extensive self-paced guide to a variety of meditation techniques and well as a regular stream of articles in our blog. We also publish guided meditation CDs. Wildmind’s where I do the bulk of my writing.

I teach meditation and Buddhism in prison. That’s an incredibly satisfying thing to do.

I like kayaking and photography. I love reading and movies. Sometimes I hike, but I’ve been getting lazier as I’ve been getting older.

In 2006 my wife and I adopted a baby girl from Ethiopia, and that’s been more satisfying than I could have imagined. And then in 2009 we did it again and adopted a baby boy, also from Ethiopia.

[info from Bodhpaksa's about page]

Reviews

[Niina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muistaakseni juuri tämä kirja sai minut alkamaan jo 14-vuotiaana kasvissyöjäksi! En halunnut olla enää osallisena kidutusjärjestelmässä, josta kirja kertoi. Kiitos lähikirjastolle, josta tämän aivan sattumalta löysin.