Why Buddhists Avoid Eating Beef

For many Buddhists, the choice to avoid beef and other meats comes down to interpreting Buddhist teachings on compassion and non-violence While not all Buddhists are vegetarian, some avoid eating beef and other meats because they believe it goes against the first precept of Buddhism “I undertake the precept to refrain from taking life”

The First Precept and Avoiding Harm

The first precept in Buddhism is to avoid intentionally taking the life of any living being. For some Buddhists, this means avoiding meat altogether The production of beef and other meats involves slaughtering animals, which directly results in loss of life By avoiding beef and meat, Buddhists uphold the first precept and reduce the demand for slaughter.

Many Buddhists point to passages in Buddhist scriptures that encourage vegetarianism and non-violence towards animals. In the Mahayana Lankavatara Sutra, the Buddha specifically discourages meat eating, saying:

“For fear of causing terror to living beings, Mahamati, let the Bodhisattva who is disciplining himself to attain compassion, refrain from eating flesh.”

So for some Buddhists, avoiding beef and meat is simply practicing compassion and minimizing harm. Beef production results in the loss of life, so conscientious Buddhists may choose a plant-based diet instead.

Ahimsa and Non-Violence Towards Cattle

In Buddhism, the principle of ahimsa refers to non-violence or non-injury towards all living beings. It’s closely related to practicing compassion. Beef production directly involves injury and violence towards cows, so in upholding ahimsa, many Buddhists choose to avoid beef.

In India, where Buddhism originated, cattle are considered sacred animals in Hinduism. Ancient Indian Buddhists likely wanted to avoid offending Hindus by eating beef. Over time, the cultural taboo against eating beef became incorporated into Buddhism’s teachings on non-violence.

So for Indian Buddhists especially, avoiding beef signals respect for India’s native Hindu traditions. It upholds the principle of ahimsa towards cattle. While not all Buddhists share this cultural history, abstaining from beef and meat remains an important practice for many.

Karma and Intentional Action

Another key reason some Buddhists avoid beef is karma. In Buddhism, karma refers to volitional action and its results. Any intentional act, whether positive or negative, creates karmic fruit. Killing animals results in negative karma. Eating meat involves harmful intent towards animals, even indirectly, so Buddhists may avoid it altogether.

Beef production requires slaughtering cows, so eating beef creates karmic consequences. When we consume beef, we share responsibility for the killing of the animal. This is seen as unethical intent resulting in negative karma.

Some Buddhists argue that simply eating beef does not directly kill the animal. But for many, demand drives production. Consuming beef fuels an industry dependent on slaughter. Avoiding all meat, including beef, reduces karmic harm and upholds ethical values in Buddhism.

Varying Perspectives on Vegetarianism

While vegetarianism is common, not all Buddhists avoid eating beef or meat altogether. Some Buddhists believe eating meat in moderation is acceptable. Others argue vegetarianism is not explicitly required in the Buddha’s core teachings.

There is also diversity when it comes to vegetarian practices among Buddhists:

• Lacto-vegetarians avoid meat and eggs, but allow dairy products
• Ovo-vegetarians avoid meat and dairy, but allow eggs
• Lacto-ovo vegetarians avoid meat, but allow dairy and eggs
• Pescatarians avoid meat from mammals and birds, but allow fish and seafood
• Vegans avoid all animal products, including eggs, dairy, and honey

So among Buddhists there is a spectrum – from those who avoid beef but may eat other meats, to complete vegans who avoid all animal products. There is no universal agreement on vegetarianism in Buddhism.

But the first precept, ahimsa, karma, and compassion remain compelling reasons for many Buddhists to avoid beef and meat altogether. While personal interpretations may differ, non-violence towards animals continues to influence diet for Buddhist practitioners today.

Buddha’s Guidelines on Eating Meat

The Buddha did not universally prohibit his followers from eating meat. But he did suggest guidelines for when meat should be avoided:

• Meat should not be eaten if the animal was slaughtered specifically to feed a monk/nun.
• Meat should not be eaten if the monk/nun hears or suspects an animal was slaughtered to feed them.
• Meat should not be eaten if the animal is not appropriate to be eaten (such as a dog).
• Raw meat should not be consumed.

So the Buddha allowed meat-eating in some circumstances, but discouraged eating meat slaughtered specifically for monks. Some Buddhists argue these guidelines imply the Buddha was not fully comfortable with meat consumption.

But the varied interpretations remain – while the Buddha did not forbid meat entirely, some Buddhists today choose vegetarian or vegan diets to truly uphold values like compassion and non-violence.

Health and Environmental Reasons

In addition to ethical concerns, Buddhism’s emphasis on compassion extends to oneself and the environment. Many Tibetan and Zen Buddhists highlight how a plant-based diet benefits health and longevity. Others note how beef production requires massive environmental resources, contributing to climate change.

The 14th Dalai Lama, a leading figure in Tibetan Buddhism, became vegetarian based on medical advice after being diagnosed with hepatitis. He frequently advocates adopting a plant-based diet for health reasons.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Zen Buddhist monk, connects vegetarianism to mindfulness of the planet’s suffering under climate change, destruction of rainforests for cattle grazing, and loss of species diversity.

So for modern Buddhists, vegetarian and vegan diets represent holistic compassion – for animals, oneself, and the Earth. Avoiding beef supports personal health while also helping the environment.

Cultural Taboos Against Beef

While Buddhism originated in India among a Hindu majority, avoiding beef spread to other Asian cultures where Buddhism took root:

China and Taiwan

• Beef avoidance in China likely began with Buddhist influences. Buddhism reached China during the Han dynasty in the 1st century CE.
• Chinese Buddhism eventually incorporated Confucian ethics on non-violence. Eating beef remains taboo in mainstream Chinese Buddhist culture today.

Japan

• Beef-eating banned under Emperor Tenmu in 675 CE after he converted Japan to Buddhism. The ban lasted over 1,000 years until 1872 CE.
• For Japanese Buddhists, beef avoidance stems from both Buddhist and Shinto principles on purity and not harming oxen who plow fields.

Korea

• Korean Buddhism adopted a ban on meat consumption under Queen Seondeok’s rule in 647 CE. Avoidance of beef continues in Korean Buddhist cuisine.

So while personal reasons vary, avoidance of beef has long been intertwined with Buddhist traditions across Asia. It reflects shared cultural values on non-harm and reverence for cattle in agrarian societies.

Meeting Nutrition Needs on a Vegan Diet

For Buddhists who take up a vegan diet, meeting certain nutrition needs requires some extra attention:

• Protein – Getting complete protein is crucial. Combine plant proteins like beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains in the same meals. Soy foods like tofu and tempeh also provide complete protein.

• Iron – Spinach, lentils, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, dried fruit, and iron-fortified cereals are vegan iron sources. Having vitamin C with iron-rich foods enhances absorption.

• Calcium – Leafy greens, fortified plant milks and juices, tofu (if prepared with calcium salts), beans, almonds, and figs supply calcium in a vegan diet.

• Omega-3s – Flax, chia and hemp seeds, walnuts, leafy greens, microalgae oil, and fortified foods provide essential omega-3 fatty acids.

• Vitamin B12 – Nutritional yeast, fortified foods, or a supplement are options to get vitamin B12, which mainly comes from animal products.

With a balanced approach, those avoiding beef for Buddhist reasons can still meet their nutritional needs on a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Summary: Compassion and Karma

For many Buddhists today, avoiding beef and meat comes down to compassion and karma. Eating beef directly results in slaughter of cows, violating the first precept of non-harm. Consuming the meat also creates negative karma, so Buddhists see abstaining as the ethical choice.

While perspectives on vegetarianism vary between traditions and individuals, non-violence toward animals remains a central part of Buddhist practice for many. Boycotting beef offers a way to tangibly live the values of compassion and minimize harmful impacts of one’s diet.