Is there any religion (other than Buddhism) that disagrees with eating fish?

Answer 1

As P'ang indicated, you have been misinformed about the consuming of meat (e.g., fish) in Buddhism. Permit me to elaborate upon his response.

Each of us in Buddhism is responsible for ourself and how we relate to other living beings. The Buddha gave many rules regarding diet but most of them were specifically related to monks and nuns. When most think of a Buddhist they think of a vegetarian but there are many Buddhists who eat meat.

In fact, the Buddha Shakyamuni Himself ate meat when it was given to Him in His alms bowl as do many contemporary Buddhist monks. To refuse any food offering is considered offensive to the person making the offering as well as being wasteful. The Buddha did, however, permit vegetarian monks to accept meat offerings but they were not required to eat the meat.

The Buddha said that it is wrong to kill any living thing. It is also wrong to be wasteful. In other words, if I were to be told that the fatted calf was to be slaughtered to celebrate my homecoming, I'd be obligated in my practice to object and ask that the calf be spared. But, if upon entering the dining hall, a plate of meat was placed before me, I could eat it since to reject it would be wasteful and an insult to my host. In some traditions one needs to wait seven days in order for the life force within the meat to leave. Again, it is up to the individual to decide what is "right" or "wrong." In one sutra even monks who would otherwise abstain from eating any meat are allowed to eat meat upon advice from a doctor to improve their health.

The same applies to each of the dietary "no's" most hear of regarding Buddhism. The essence of Buddhism is the middle path—that nothing in and of itself is "bad." For example, what you may consider to be "bad" may be my "good." I firmly believe our governments need to understand this concept in dealing with each other.

Much of what the Buddha taught as relayed in the sutras was meant specifically for the his monastic followers (bhikkhu or monks) and not necessarily for the lay Buddhist followers. The Buddha strictly cautioned all of His followers, both monastic and laity, from taking a life; especially that of a human.

At the same time there is no prohibition specifically in regard to eating meat. The common practice among bikkhus on their daily rounds for obtaining food offerings in their alms bowls is to eat whatever is offered therein. In fact the Buddha stated, "Monks, I allow you fish and meat that are quite pure in three respects: if they are not seen, heard or suspected to have been killed on purpose for a monk. But, you should not knowingly make use of meat killed on purpose for you." (Jivaka Sutta, Majjhima Nikaya 55).

In India at the time of the Buddha dietary restrictions were considered by holy men to be essential in making one "pure." The Nipata Sutta underlines this point when it says that it is immorality that makes one impure (morally and spiritually), not the eating of meat. The Buddha is often described as eating meat, He recommended meat broth as a cure for certain types of illness and advised monks for practical reasons, to avoid certain types of meat (see below), which implies that other types are quite acceptable.

There are, however, specific types of meat which are specifically prohibited for monks, and presumably for the lay-practitioner as well, from eating: human meat (for obvious reasons); meat from elephants and horses; dog meat; and meat from snakes, lions, tigers, panthers, bears and hyenas.

I hope this offers some insite.

May all be at peace.

John

Answer 2

John P (I'm only a bug) already gave a very detailed descriptions of meat eating guidelines in Buddhism.

Your misunderstanding may be due to one of the following causes:
1) Buddhists (who follow five precepts) abstain from fishing. Thus, you may thought Buddhists disagrees with eating fish.
2) Fish was alive (before cooking). This would violate the guideline "killing specifically for one".
3) Mahayana (Chinese) school of Buddhism promotes vegetarian due to additional Bodhisattva precepts taken. Monks and nuns are vegetarian. Many Mahayana Buddhists try to be vegan too.

About other religion: Many Hindus are vegans. A Catholic whose favorite food is fish would also refrain from eating fish on every Friday.

Answer 3

Buddhism does not disagree with eating fish. Prajna explained the reasoning quite well.

Other religions that mandate vegetarianism include Hinduism and Jainism.

Answer 4

Islam allows eating meat of fish and most vegeterian birds and animals. Birds and animals that eat other living creatures are not allowed to eat for the sake of our health. Like eagles and animals like pigs, dogs, cats, lions, cheetas etc.

Islam also teaches us to cut only throat at the time of slaughtering the animal and not the entire neck so its heart keep pumping until all blood bleeds out in case the animal is sick and then its meat will be safer to eat.

As per old religious records Prophet Abraham always slaughtered the animals this way. All Jews and Muslims follow the same procedure. The meat we find in stores have too much blood it it because they don't bleed the animal by cutting the entire neck after making it unconcious by shooting on the head of animal. I have seen myself how they do in a slaughter house.

Answer 5

Agree. there is not any God. Buddha is considered as a human who reached enlightenment, and left at the back of classes for us to do the comparable ... he's a instructor and a place form. there is not any worship (admire for a instructor isn't the comparable component as worship). there is not any "bigger potential" that would take us to enlightenment ... we could continually do it by our very own efforts. There are not any creation thoughts, the two. yet, Buddhism isn't a philosophy, the two. Philosophy is an psychological build, utilising the mind/words/techniques to attempt to return to a decision on a fact. In Buddhism, the objectives is to step outdoors of techniques, to nonetheless the techniques, and to adventure the fact. Buddhism is a prepare, a approach, no longer a philosophy.

Answer 6

Sure, a vegan vegetarian doesn't eat fish -- or any flesh foods (including all other sea food), nor milk, and eggs. Most of the time, I'm a vegan vegetarian. Also, though my religion (Seventh-day Adventist) doesn't require it -- it certainly recommends it as the best possible diet for health and long life.

Answer 7

Prajna,
Thank you for your contribution to the question, but I think you are mistaken about Christians and fish on Friday, because churches in my area serve fish on Fridays during certain times of the year.

Answer 8

Buddhism doesn't have any proscription against eating fish -- someone has mis-informed you. Buddhist precepts proscribe against killing, but say nothing about eating fish, meat, etc.

Answer 9

Hinduism.

Answer 10

Judaism doesnt allow certain types of fish(those without fins and scales.)

Answer 11

me, i disagree with eating fish, cause its nasty. And im an atheist.