This is a common question by many who start to follow Buddhism. While the strictest Buddhist, those who take vows and become monks, nuns, priests, or other members of the Sangha, do traditionally follow a vegetarian diet, vegetarianism is not a requirement for lay Buddhists.
Choosing a Vegetarian Diet
Consider vegetarianism a personal choice, just as it would be for those non-Buddhists who opt for a vegetarian lifestyle. Some choose vegetarianism for animal rights, for health reasons, to lose weight or improve health, or simply because animal products do not appeal to them.
Before completely turning down the idea, it can help to gather a bit of information on what a vegetarian diet can be like. Local public libraries often feature a large cookbook selection, and through interlibrary loans it is possible to find many vegetarian cookbooks to look through for ideas. There are also many free, online resources.
Vegetarianism in Buddhism
Among the Five Precepts, the Buddha teaches to “abstain from taking life unnecessarily.” Some interpret this as instruction to be a vegetarian. It’s true that human beings can survive quite healthily on a vegetarian or plant-based diet, and the health benefits speak for themselves.
That being said, vegetarian eating can be difficult to transition into when first starting out, and if the motivation isn’t strong it’s also an extremely difficult diet to adhere to. On the other hand, if the motivation is moderate in strength and the desire to be a vegetarian exists, it can be quite easy and, in fact, a lot of the foods people consume on a daily basis are, or can be made, vegetarian.
Author’s Note
On a personal note, I am not a vegetarian. But I have been. During times that I ate only a vegetarian diet I can honestly say that I felt the happiest, the healthiest, and I weighed within my healthiest weight range. Vegetarian food or converting favorite recipes to be vegetarian is something I found simple to adjust to, although there have been times when I struggled with it.
I have not been eating a vegetarian diet for the past two years, but I am working on transitioning back to a more-vegetarian diet, at least for 75 to 85% of the food I consume. My husband is not a vegetarian, and has a particular attachment to meat products, so it can be difficult, but he is also open minded and willing to try just about anything if I say it’s delicious. The trick is finding foods that satisfy your taste buds, satiate your hunger, and provide the vital nutrients your body and brain need to function optimally.
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