Yes, Buddhists eat meat. Even monks can eat meat and many do. There is no general prohibition. The prohibition is against directly killing an animal for karmic reasons and against certain types of meat.
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Do Buddhists eat beef or pork
Many Tibetan teachers and many Buddhists eat beef. In fact, the Buddha’s followers and likely the Buddha himself ate beef if it was offered to them when begging. In the Vinaya, the rules for the monastics, certain types of meat were allowed. What types of foods were prohibited? In general, the same ones we don’t eat: human, horse, elephant, dog, snake, lion, and so forth. Pork is acceptable to eat.
At any rate, rules for whether or not a monk could eat meat: it should not be killed specifically for the monk. If the meal already included meat, then it was fine. Also, the followers had an instruction to eat whatever was in their bowls. One story claims (probably untrue, but illustrative) that a leper offered food to a monk and one of his fingertips fell in. The monk ate it to comply with the rule. Obviously, this conflicts with the prohibition against human flesh, so the story is likely apocryphal.
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Buddha’s Meat Eating Guideline
The story illustrates the point. The guideline of the 3 hands rule is karmic. The person who slaughters the animal and the person who butchers the animal accumulate karma. The third person would not have the karma of the death of the animal. Some people object, saying that this approach pushes karma onto the other person. True, but the other person chose that profession already, so it is not the fault of the 3rd person.
As this illustrates, karma is not a moral system, it is a cause-effect system. Meat restrictions of this type (killing/butchering) have more to do with not accumulating the karma of killing, karma which could propel one to rebirths of violence and extended physical suffering. Mostly here, the violence inflicted on the animal is closer to ignorance than ignorance. The slaughtering person does not kill from hatred of the animal but with indifference to its suffering. Hunting karma has more to do with passion, as the hunter experiences more of a thrill from hunting and killing than aggression.
Vegetarianism and compassion
In modern terms of thought, not eating meat is associated with not causing the deaths of animals. It is considered a moral or ethical consideration (or a health consideration). While that plays a role in this, it’s more on this karmic cause-effect level. If a person habituates themself to killing, not having value and respect for life itself, the casual approach to causing suffering becomes a powerful obstacle to enlightenment.
This is why you wouldn’t want to kill as a Buddhist unless necessary. Self-defense or starvation would be times when karmic accumulation would likely be less. Especially if accompanied by strong regret or wish that it were not so in an unavoidable situation. This will minimize the karma. It is a very bad idea to take delight in the act of killing, even of a mosquito.
In Tibet, Buddhists hired Muslims to slaughter and butcher their meat. Unfortunately, in Tibet, it is difficult to be a vegetarian. Crops are more difficult at that altitude, making meat a necessary part of the diet.
The instruction to eat whatever came into the bowl as a monastic had more to do with the kleshas or negative emotions. A monk was generally prohibited from overeating. These two approaches helped to cut revulsion for disgusting foods and attachment to delicious foods. That being said, many Tibetan teachers, having left Tibet, switched to a vegetarian diet, for ethical reasons of preserving life. Some have done so for ecological reasons. However, they have resisted judging others on that basis.
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3 Yanas approach to Carnivores
In general, when a Buddhist eats meat the yanas give different approaches. In Hinayana, it is to eat without attachment. Obviously, many Buddhists are vegetarian, which is great. Some take vows to refrain from meat. This reinforces and strengthens their commitment and multiplies the merit gained from not eating meat.
In Mahayana, one would connect to the animal that died, vowing to liberate it from samsara. This creates an auspicious connection, reversing any karma.
In Vajrayana, meat is seen as a sacred substance, purified aggression, that the person takes in as klesha and purifies as mirror-like wisdom. (Alcohol, in a similar way, corresponds to desire. Torma, a barley flour cake, relates to ignorance, though it has a very complex manifestation in Buddhist ritual).
What foods are forbidden in Buddhism?
No foods are expressly forbidden in Buddhism generally. However, in the Southern forms, vegetarianism is strongly encouraged. In many forms, the spice additives (garlic and hot peppers) are not permitted in monasteries because they excite the mind, disturbing meditation.
What does Buddha say about eating meat?
Buddha’s Vinaya (for monks) allowed meat eating if the animal was not killed for the monk. However, all Buddhists should not eat the noble forms (horses, humans) or disgusting meats (snake, etc.)
Do Tibetan monks eat meat?
Yes, but not all of them. At one monastery in North America, vegetarianism is mandatory onsite, but monastics often eat meat when traveling, or even going into the local town.
Do Zen Buddhists Eat Meat?
Monastics typically do not eat meat. Or spicy additives.
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Summary
Buddhists can and do eat meat. It is important to take no delight in the death of the animal, to acknowledge the sanctity of life, and to make a connection with the animal. Finally, see the meat as pure and sacred and as an offering to the 3 jewels and 3 roots.
May all beings be happy
May all beings be peaceful
May all beings be safe
May all beings awaken to the light of their true nature
May all beings be free
