Can I be a good Budhist and not believe in reincarnation or vegetarianism?

Question

I belive in the noble truths and the eight fold path except I believe in eating animals for nutrients and have a hard time believing in rebirth. Should I explore Budhaism further?

Answer 1

You should definitely explore Buddhism further.

I am Buddhist and I am neither a Vegetarian nor do I believe in reincarnation.

Good Luck!

'-)

Answer 2

I think believing in the noble truths and the eight fold path is enough to be called a Buddhist. If you don't consider yourself to be a Buddhist, then don't. You don't have to be a vegetarian or believe in rebirth. Understand that the Buddhist scriptures have been edited by many men who think what it should mean throughout centuries. We can't possibly believe that every single word from the scriptures is from Buddha. I think it's much more important to follow your instinct, and your heart than the words of other people.
There are several reasons why it's better not to eat meat. A few of them are:
1). The organs in the body has to work extra hard to digest the meat than vegetables.
2). At the time of death, not many animals die peacefully. Many animals generate a lot of negative energy at time of death. When we eat those meat, we absorbed a lot of their negative energy.
3). Because out of compassion, we shouldn't kill or be the cause of another being's death.
Buddha never said you have to be a vegetarian in order to be a Buddhist.
To me, it's really up to you. If you can be a vegetarian, then that's great. If you can't, then you can't. Becoming a vegetarian takes time. Maybe right now you can't do it, but one day you may be able to become one. Relax and just be what you can be.
If you don't believe in rebirth, then don't believe in it. Everything has its own time. Maybe it's just not your time yet to believe in it. Maybe someday you will believe in it. Whatever it may be, most important thing right now is to practice on living a balance life- not to be affected by others, being able to remain at peace and balance no matter what happens. That is more important thing to be focusing on.

Answer 3

Yes. Buddhism is a path for enlightenment not a dogma. Buddhism is only one guide that Buddha found lead to enlightenment. Many Eastern (non-Semitic) religions search for this, but Buddhism is probably the most scientific. Scientific meaning based more on logic than divinity. Your path to greater well-being may not include veggies, but there are certainly NO PUNISHMENTS for not following a belief like rebirth. Think of Buddhism as a scientific process; you're just another scientist searching for truth, following certain guidelines and general rules (highly proven theories like evolution and gravity) while free to specialise any way you want. P.S. I'm hindu, a different path to the same goal, but I greatly admire Buddhism.

Answer 4

Buddha never started a religion.
It was his followers who did this.
Buddha was finding a way of life. He was fedup with the Hinduism of his time.
It is possible to take the best element from any religion for human practice.
It is not the food that we eat defiles us but the words we speak and the thoughts we thinkk that makes us impure.

Answer 5

Well, I would call myself more hindu than buddhist...but eating meat is always terrible. Reincarnation is a vauge concept really...there are alot of interpretations of what it is. I see reincarnation as the energy of life changing into another form, since all life is one energy

Answer 6

not really. (not a devout one, at least. Like a monk) Reincarnation is a key to Buddhism

It's "Buddhist" not "Budhist"

Answer 7

Buddhism is a philosophy. You can adhere to it to whatever degree you feel comfortable. At least, that's my opinion on it.

Answer 8

Only you can answer these questions.

Answer 9

You should try Cavemanism

Answer 10

all dogs go to heaven