Buddhist Sutras : no killing

VegInspiration
In the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, the Buddha says to the assembled monks, “If one sees that there is much meat, one must not accept such a meal. One must never take the meat itself. One who takes it infringes the rule.”

This is very clear, and as another example, in the Brahma’s Net Sutra, he says, “ Disciples of the Buddha, should you willingly and knowingly eat flesh, you defile yourself.”

These teachings are repeated strongly in many other sutras, including the Lankavatara Sutra and the Surangama Sutra, both of which are foundational Mahayana Buddhist scriptures.

The cardinal precept in Buddhism is not to kill, and animals are always explicitly included in this injunction.

May all beings be free and at peace,  Will

New offering: Prayer Circle for Friday
Prayers for wild animals being trapped, hunted, caged and/or killed for fur, flesh, leather, trophies, the pet trade, etc., and for wild animals being forced into stress and extinction due to loss of habitat.
May compassion and love reign over all the earth for all free-living animals.

Dear bears, foxes, cougars, deer, alligators, wild horses, prairie dogs, primates, mink, bison, beavers, elephants, birds, fish, and all the other magnificent beings born in freedom and suffering now at the hands of human beings, living in fear of human beings, and mourning the loss of loved ones who have been tortured and either imprisoned or killed.

Together, we bear witness to your suffering, take action to end it forever, and send out an energy field of love and compassion to comfort you and to transform the hearts and souls of those who support the violent oppression of all of you. We send our tears and prayers on wings of love to you.

Our love is all around you. Compassion encircles the earth for each of you and for all beings.
( 7 daily prayers by Judy Carman)

http://worldpeacediet.com – our daily VegInspiration For The Day
http://circleofcompassion.org – our Prayer Circle For Animals Weekly Update
http://worldpeacemastery.com – our new online self-paced WPD Facilitator Training

Original watercolor painting by Madeleine Tuttle
http://willtuttle.com/madeleine.htm