Why are some monks vegetarian and some not?

Question

I do not understand why some monks eat meat. I have read different things online about it, but I would like to get your opinion on it also. If monks want to be at peace with all things, why would they not all choose vegetarianism.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It just seems to me that if you were a monk and you wanted to lead by example, you would be a vegetarian. Would you ever see a monk taking drugs or stealing? of course not and therefore, it makes no sense to me why they would want to kill animals.

malcolm g, first of all, let me say I got a chuckle out of reading your reply. It is quite obvious to me that you are uneducated. Jesus never ate meat and you can't quote me one scripture in the bible that says he did. Obviously this is pathetic attempt on your part to hide your own guilt. You, like most meat eaters, attempt to justify eating meat by mentioning the names of great people who did eat meat, or in your case, making up lies about great people who ate meat.

jellbz, I got a chuckle when I read your answer. It is quite obvious that you have no understanding of the bible. They were making reference to another man, not to Jesus. Please attend a bible college and try to gain some knowledge before you embarass yourself any further. Also, you really need to come up with some better stories. The fairy tell about the banker is kind of lame.

rome, when the bible spoke of fish, it was speaking of a type of seaweed. You, like many other meat eaters interpret the bible to try an indicate that Jesus ate meat. I laugh when I read the replies of a fool because I know you and your kind for what you are.

Res, I laughed when I read your answer. You must be around 9 years old.

Answer 1

Judge not that ye may not be judged, Ashley.
There are more things in heaven and earth,
than are dreamt of in your philosophy. Apparently!
Maybe you know more than silly monks! Ya think?
.

Answer 2

Eating is not a religious statement but for some religions it is just another rule to follow.

If you believe in God and Jesus you MUST accept that eating meat is fine, WHY i hear those voices say in your head, well it's simple just look at the animals they EAT each other and if it was not ok by God's decree than it would simply not happen.

If your no doubt beautiful hair like your beautiful skin was in-feasted with say an insect like Nit's or fleas would you ask them to leave your head politely or would you reach for a chemical based killer?

I have the feeling you would go for the chemical wash.

Answer 3

Ok. "monks" do not choose what to eat/their "tradition" DICtates it. Just like in the Christian religions, you have Catholic, Assembly of God, and many other faiths of Christian/ so do Buddhists.
And some Buddhist temple are Vegetarian- it's not "the" monk that chooses.
In other temples, many "Thai" temples, the monk eats whatever the "laypeople- also known as members", bring to feed the monk on any given day.
If you want to understand this better, go for their "daily" mealtime..usually 10am.

Answer 4

It depends on the religion. Hindu monks, or Sadhu's do not eat meat as a kind of law. Buddhist monks can eat meat, but a lot choose not to. Catholic monks do eat meat. Islamic monks do I think. Most do it seems, its only recently that people have started making the decision to not eat meat. In Hinduism in India, they don't eat meat as part of the religion, no one does. I don't really believe its a sin to eat meat, I think if the monk feels guilt free at eating meat then its OK to do so.

Answer 5

I think youre GREAT!! Honestly, even funnier than that really full on religious dude who quotes scripture in BLOCK CAPITALS ALL THE TIME.
How can you prove that Jesus never ate meat?
Been veggie since ages but when I read your posts I realy want to go out and have a nice rare fillet steak... Mmm....
I reiterate, vegans ARE weird. (Some vegans...)

Answer 6

Faith is going to play a big part in the decision of whether the monk eats meat. If it is a Christian monk they are going to be more likely to eat meat because the Bible doesn't speak against it and in fact lists the animals which can be eaten. If the monk is from a dharmic faith (Buddhism as an example) then the notion of ahimsa (non-harm) may play a bigger part and they may choose to abstain from flesh foods.

Answer 7

It depends on which type of monk they are. Budhist monks do not eat meat. However I am not sure of any other form of monk that is vegetarian. Oh and Luke 24:41-43 that Jellbz is talking about has been researched for years regarding the missinterpretation of the text. The term "meat" in the old english translation from the king James version referes to all food in general. Then the last line stating "And he took it, and did eat before them" has brought arguments regarding the proper wording of "it." In the greek translation the word "it" is omited completely and there fore the reading would state "And he took, and did eat before them." Either way it still does not change the fact that god never gave man permission to kill animals for food. As mans punishment for his disobedience man was told he could eat flesh (since god ruined the harvest with the flood) but he must not take the life of an animal and for every slain beast he would require the life blood of man.

Answer 8

so then you are saying that when Jesus fed all those people with fish and bread that he did not eat any of it himself? I think maybe you are the one who needs to get an education about the Bible before you embarrass yourself any further.

WOW so I read this girls reply to the rest of my answer and can only assume that she is crazy, insane, retarded, or just in very very deep denial. Either way I would like to meet her one day just to watch her and see what she does in her natural habitat

Answer 9

of course monks, catholic fathers etc don`t steal but whatever you do don`t ask about the choirboys!!!

Ashley I don`t know how you have the brass neck to criticise answerers - " It wasn`t Jesus it was another man"? WHAT?? How come you are now a theological expert all of a sudden & the other doozie " It wasn`t fish it was seaweed" Where on earth in the bible did you get that pearl of wisdom from? I reckon you probably think the holocaust was one or two Jewish people burning themselves on the barbie!!
Your question was quite sensible (for you!!) then you showed your true colours with your totally unfounded, unresearched & mis informed responses

Plus the Sea of Galilee is a freshwater lake ergo no SEAweed - I really think that you are just trying to wind people up either that or you are incredibly stupid ( before you report me (who cares by the way!!!) you are the one who constantly calls people "fools"!!!)

Answer 10

its happens to be a fact that even they still have the freedom of choice even wen it comes to diet!! that apart then WHY did god put animals on this planet if not to be eaten as if left to procreate as they do there would be no space for us humans to live?? i say eat meat or not just be happy with yourself an what you choose?

Answer 11

What type of monks are you referring to? To the best of my knowledge Christian monks aren't required or even taught that we should be vegetarians. I mean Jesus did help his disciples kill hundreds of fish after all. It would be nice if they could lead by example and practise compassion but apparantly this only applies to human beings... sometimes they don't even stretch it to all humans, only a select few who meet their requirements.

Buddhist monks on the other hand are taught to be vegetarians. The answerer who said buddha wasn't a vegetarian is just plain ignorant... of course he was! He taught not to harm any living creature, even allowing insects and bugs into the equation. I've met a lot of buddhist monks and didn't find one who was a meat-eater. I've even been to a few buddhist 'kitchens' where they serve vegetarian food to everyone for free. They do this, not only to feed hungry people, but also to show everyone that vegetarian food can taste good.