Do Buddhist eat 'battered' fish?

Answer 1

The short answer is 'yes'. There's no problem eating fish, regardless of whether it's covered in batter or not. There's nothing intrinsically 'impure' about any particular foods.

Although the Buddha strongly emphasised the cultivation of loving-kindness and compassion towards all beings and in several discourses he also spoke against fishermen, fishermongers and other forms of 'wrong livelihood' the Buddha never enforced strict vegetarianism.

According to the earliest monastic code this was because the monks and nuns were to be entirely dependent on whatever donors were able to provide and they were not to ask anything of their donors, express preferences or in any way try to influence what kinds of food they received. The monk Devadatta proposed a rule of strict vegetarianism but the Buddha disagreed as it would have caused difficulties for monks and nuns begging in distant places. The Buddha explained that so long as an animal had not been killed on purpose for the monks and nuns then its meat was acceptable as food.

Back in today's real world yours is a very good question. As the first precept for practising laypersons is to 'abstain from destroying life' then perhaps one ought to wonder whether it's appropriate to encourage the fishing trade, especially as many fish stocks are dangerously low due to man's over-fishing and since some species risk extinction in our lifetime.

From a personal point of view, I was vegetarian for a few years and during that time although I didn't buy meat or fish for myself I never had a problem eating them when they were offered to me e.g. at family gatherings and friends' houses. I thought it was more important to accept their hospitality than have them go to the trouble of accomodating my idiosyncrasies.

On a final note, I suspect a practising Buddhist advanced in meditation would be more inclined to remain 'mindful' when eating fish or anything else for that matter, and would be wary of allowing restlessness to stir the mind up by worrying over rules of what's permitted or not.

I hope this has been of some help,
Best wishes! :-)

Answer 2

Depends as not necessary means that all Buddhists must be vegetarians. There are many out there who eat meat and seafood, but "battered"? If u mean badly beaten up fish, why should anyone beat the fish up, then eat it? Is that person crazy? Or do u do that? Are u cruel ?

Answer 3

Battered fish? What makes you ask such questions?

Let me put it the easy way... according to precepts...

Start from Hinayana Buddhism...

A) animals that you witness or hear their butchering
B) not allow to ask others to kill for you to eat
C) not allow to kill to eat by you own hands

Mahayana Buddhism enforced vegetarians, by emperor Liang-Wu (the one Bodhi-Dhama met before going to Shaolin temple). Totally off from animal stuff food. Although a great act, but created vege-extremist, those who "no vege means not buddha" kind of people.

Tantrayana Buddhism not bound by such rule. However, we perform bardo before eat. That is great flexibility. The animals don't die for nothing, we eat you, we send you to paradise, as appreciation and liberation. We don't condemn meat eaters.

I heard that Hinayana monks also did similar.

However, we don't greet over the meat, that is the basic. However again, no cannibalism allowed. By the way, are you cruel enough to butcher for food?

Answer 4

Ofcourse buddhist eat meat and fish yet buddhist dont motivate people to accomplish that. clergymen n nuns too eat meat whilst it is presented yet they ll no longer eat meat in the event that they see killing animal for them, in the event that they pay attention killing animal for them or in the event that they are uncertain. in the buddhist monastery, monastery never serve meats to the clergymen n nuns because thousands of them leaves collectively there's a threat for persons to kill animal in the call of options. yet in my view you could eat what ever if it does not fall in the ten unfavourable act. besides many people merely judging buddhism by using ethical, i think of buddhism is greater desirable than that.

Answer 5

Depends.

Buddhists are encouraged to be vegetarians, but it is not compulsory unless you are a monk.

Monks today realise its kinda hard to get people to stick to a veggie diet cos we are all to vulnerable to temptations... in fact, an acknowledgement of being vulnerable to temptation is one of the basis buddhism.. overcoming them is regarded as enlightenment

Answer 6

i hope not cause i got a fish but i might have killed him with cornflaks anyways i say no they dont

Answer 7

ROTFL....Totally funny,thanks I needed a laugh.

Answer 8

DO CHRISTIANS EAT BATTERED WIVES

Answer 9

what sound does one hand clapping make.

answer this and you will be able to answer your question

Answer 10

I THOUGHT, GENERALLY, BUDDHIST ARE VEGGIES'!