VEGETARIAN CONSUMPTION IN BUDDHISM

Abstract

This article aims to study and criticize the vegetarian consumption of Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism. The study found that eating plants and animals as food is based on survival instincts and species. Because it is a behavior that cannot be measured by moral values. Mahayana Buddhism strictly rejects consumption of meat among monks because it is considered to support the endless killing of animals. Theravada Buddhism viewed that consumption of meat is something that can be done because the manner of consumption and killing are
different karma. Mahayana believes that plants are spirits. The killing of plants; as deprives life, like killing humans and animals but is less sinful. Mahayana therefore chose to eat short-lived plants. As for Buddhism, Theravada views that killing plants is not a sin but still prohibit against the monks from taking the green which the reason for banning is social reasons rather than sin. According to the middle way of consumption, Mahayana chooses to consume vegetarian food because he saw that it was the least threatening of life. Theravada is aimed at being simple, consume food that the villagers seem appropriate and have something to offer. Mahayana sees that vegetarian consumption is mind purity and compassionate to all animals. As for the Theravada faction, the human mind can be developed without increasing the amount of vegetarian or meat consumption anyway.