<p>The first lay precept says “I undertake the training rule to abstain from killing.” (The formulation is from Wikipedia.) As I understand it, this rule pertains to all kinds of sentient beings.</p>

<p>Is eating meat compatible with this precept? Is it possible to say I am following this precept when the rule I’m following in fact is “I undertake the training rule to abstain from killing but I get someone else to do the killing for me”? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-30T14:16:40.407Z
I think this question has been asked (and answered) already.
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-30T16:45:51.027Z
If you are looking for resources that make the case for vegetarianism, go here: http://www.shabkar.org/references/index.htm If you want to find people making the case *against* Buddhist vegetarianism, at the moment, it's the top 100 google hits. For the most part, this is a sectarian issue, i.e. you can get the answer you want by picking your sect.
MatthewMartin
<personal-practice><ethics><vegetarianism>
Is eating meat compatible with the training rule to abstain from killing?
# Is eating meat compatible with the training rule to abstain from killing?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-11-30)

The first lay precept says “I undertake the training rule to abstain from killing.” (The formulation is from Wikipedia.) As I understand it, this rule pertains to all kinds of sentient beings.

Is eating meat compatible with this precept? Is it possible to say I am following this precept when the rule I’m following in fact is “I undertake the training rule to abstain from killing but I get someone else to do the killing for me”?

**Tags:** personal-practice, ethics, vegetarianism

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I think this question has been asked (and answered) already.  
> **username_2**: If you are looking for resources that make the case for vegetarianism, go here: http://www.shabkar.org/references/index.htm If you want to find people making the case *against* Buddhist vegetarianism, at the moment, it's the top 100 google hits. For the most part, this is a sectarian issue, i.e. you can get the answer you want by picking your sect.  

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