How does what you eat affect you and your world?Is there a connection between vegetarianism and livinga spiritual life?A trained vet, respected teacher, and happy vegan,Bodhipaksa answers all of these questions andmore. Tackling issues such as genetically modifiedvegetables and modern ways of producing food, hedispels widespread myths and reflects upon the dietsdominant in the contemporary West. In comparison,he considers the diets of wandering monks in ancientIndia and the diet of the Buddha himself.By considering why people eat meat and relating thisto Buddhist ethics, Bodhipaksa explores habits and thepossibility of change. He takes a positive view of thebenefits of vegetarianism, and shows practically howto maintain a healthy and balanced vegan or vegetarianlifestyle. This exploration shows how a meat-free lifecan not only lighten the body but also the soul.A BUDDHIST VIEW series examines key issuesfrom a Buddhist perspective, offering practicalguidance for living in the 21st century.Bodhipaksa (Graeme Stephen) was born in Scotland,and currently lives and teaches in New Hampshire.He has been practicing Buddhism since 1982, hasbeen a member of the Triratna Buddhist Ordersince 1993, and runs the online meditation centrewildmind.org.

About the author vPreface 1Introduction 51 The sufferings of farm animals 112 Why are we beastly to animals? 273 Buddhist ethics 354 The benefits of vegetarianism 515 Commonly asked questions 676 Did the Buddha eat meat? 817 Meat and metta 91Conclusion 99Further reading 101Notes and references 103Index 119