The world of Tzu Chi March 2023 (Vol.145)

02 2023 • 03 livestock raised for human consumption, it is easy to imagine the harm being done to the environment. Aside from harming the environment, meat-eating entails the taking of animal life. It has been estimated that it takes 38 chickens to make just 500 non- vegetarian boxed meals. If we were to look at the animals being slaughtered for human consumption in the eye, they might be saying to us, “It is you! I am being killed because you want to eat me!” Though we may not kill the animals directly, their lives are sacrificed because of us. This is indirect killing. Think about it, every day hundreds of people would eat here at the Jing Si Abode; if meat is served, how much bad karma would we be accumulating for causing all those animals to lose their lives for us? Life is precious, be it a human’s or an animal’s. Let us bravely say “No” to meat eating. The more people that reject meat, the more animal lives that will be saved. Sometimes, children demonstrate greater compassion than adults. I know of a little girl who once said to her mother, “I often play with animals. They are like friends to me. How can I eat my friends?” Like this child, we can all choose not to eat meat. In fact, we can obtain sufficient nutrition by eating grains, vegetables, and other vegetarian food alone. As seasons change, we are able to eat different kinds of produce. Every kind of vegetable has a different taste. Whether it is cilantro, celery, water spinach, or amaranth, they can all bring satisfaction to our palates if we eat mindfully. Living on this planet, sustained by this planet, we have many things for which to be thankful. With different seasons come different natural scenery for us to enjoy. All kinds of creatures coexist on the planet while doing their part to contribute to a thriving ecosystem. Look at the ants and earthworms. Tiny though they are, they aerate and enrich the soil and help the planet as a whole. They offer many benefits to humanity, too. Such an amazing coexistence of species in the world is truly beautiful, isn’t it? If we want to live in safety and peace, we need a healthy planet. Protecting and loving the Earth and all its creatures brings humanity only benefits. It is not hard to do. By eating vegetarian, inspiring others to do so, and living simply, we can reduce the burden on the Earth. All it takes is a willingness to start. * Reprinted with permission from Tzu Chi Bimonthly. aster’s Teaching