That was an interesting story! I do believe that what you eat isn't a standard for how moralistic or spiritual a person is. Being mindful of what and how you're eating is important, a balance is important as you said. I turned vegetarian as a kid. I was probably 7-8 when I saw my father snap a chicken's head to turn it into our lunch. I cried and couldn't eat and never touched meat again since then. I occasionally eat eggs(some people consider it vegetarian I know) but I try to limit it as much as possible because it does have an environmental impact. At the end, It's a personal choice.
Thank you. The great Swami Vivekananda said in essence that it's more important what comes out of your mouth than what goes in it.
The great Chatral Rinpoche mentioned here didn't eat eggs because it made the chickens sad when their eggs were taken from them. So he was concerned not just for their physical lives but also their emotional well-being. So sweet. I've known a number of his close disciples over the years and one of them really struggled hard to be vegetarian and the egg thing was a bridge too far for him. He is Tibetan and he said he could either give up alcohol or meat but not both. Ultimately what I came to understand about myself related to any religious obligations or disciplines was not to be fanatical or overly rigid. It's pretty widely accepted that the Buddha himself, who accepted offerings of food from ppl would not turn away any food item, including meat. The main emphasis is to be as far from the act of killing as possible. Traditionally 3 degrees of separation is required to avoid the karmic result of complicity in killing the animal. One Lama I know was in Bodh Gaya and eating dinner at one of the Tibetan tent restaurants. He happened to be outside at the moment the animal was slaughtered for his dinner and he became vegetarian at that moment.
A Lama said to me when I was in my twenties, "You know what your problem is? You want to be perfect."
A useful criticism at the time. Calling out my rigidity.
Sure thing! It’s amazing how Swami Vivekananda’s message reminds us that what we say and how we treat others is more important than strict rules about what we eat. And the story about Chatral Rinpoche is so sweet—caring for the chickens’ feelings shows such deep compassion, not just for their lives but for their emotions too. It’s interesting how his student found it tough to follow the egg rule.
Your point about not being too rigid is something I really get. Sometimes, trying to be perfect or follow every rule can get in the way of finding peace. The Buddha accepting all food offered to him, including meat, shows that it’s more about the intention and staying distant from causing harm.
I love how you shared the Lama’s advice about wanting to be perfect. It’s a great reminder that we can strive for balance and kindness without being too hard on ourselves. Thanks for sharing these stories—they're really relatable and down-to-earth!
That was an interesting story! I do believe that what you eat isn't a standard for how moralistic or spiritual a person is. Being mindful of what and how you're eating is important, a balance is important as you said. I turned vegetarian as a kid. I was probably 7-8 when I saw my father snap a chicken's head to turn it into our lunch. I cried and couldn't eat and never touched meat again since then. I occasionally eat eggs(some people consider it vegetarian I know) but I try to limit it as much as possible because it does have an environmental impact. At the end, It's a personal choice.
Thank you. The great Swami Vivekananda said in essence that it's more important what comes out of your mouth than what goes in it.
The great Chatral Rinpoche mentioned here didn't eat eggs because it made the chickens sad when their eggs were taken from them. So he was concerned not just for their physical lives but also their emotional well-being. So sweet. I've known a number of his close disciples over the years and one of them really struggled hard to be vegetarian and the egg thing was a bridge too far for him. He is Tibetan and he said he could either give up alcohol or meat but not both. Ultimately what I came to understand about myself related to any religious obligations or disciplines was not to be fanatical or overly rigid. It's pretty widely accepted that the Buddha himself, who accepted offerings of food from ppl would not turn away any food item, including meat. The main emphasis is to be as far from the act of killing as possible. Traditionally 3 degrees of separation is required to avoid the karmic result of complicity in killing the animal. One Lama I know was in Bodh Gaya and eating dinner at one of the Tibetan tent restaurants. He happened to be outside at the moment the animal was slaughtered for his dinner and he became vegetarian at that moment.
A Lama said to me when I was in my twenties, "You know what your problem is? You want to be perfect."
A useful criticism at the time. Calling out my rigidity.
Sure thing! It’s amazing how Swami Vivekananda’s message reminds us that what we say and how we treat others is more important than strict rules about what we eat. And the story about Chatral Rinpoche is so sweet—caring for the chickens’ feelings shows such deep compassion, not just for their lives but for their emotions too. It’s interesting how his student found it tough to follow the egg rule.
Your point about not being too rigid is something I really get. Sometimes, trying to be perfect or follow every rule can get in the way of finding peace. The Buddha accepting all food offered to him, including meat, shows that it’s more about the intention and staying distant from causing harm.
I love how you shared the Lama’s advice about wanting to be perfect. It’s a great reminder that we can strive for balance and kindness without being too hard on ourselves. Thanks for sharing these stories—they're really relatable and down-to-earth!
A rare story of medium length, and well done. Just like steak. Thanks for this.