Vegetarianism and Animal Ethics in Contemporary Buddhism

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Ethnic Studies
Cover of the book Vegetarianism and Animal Ethics in Contemporary Buddhism by James Stewart, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James Stewart ISBN: 9781317623977
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: August 14, 2015
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: James Stewart
ISBN: 9781317623977
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: August 14, 2015
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Buddhism is widely known to advocate a stance of total pacifism towards all sentient beings, and because of this, it is often thought that Buddhist doctrine would stipulate that non-violent food practices, such as vegetarianism, be mandatory. However, the Pāli source materials do not encourage vegetarianism and most Buddhists do not practice it. Using research based on ethnographic evidence and interviews, this book discusses this issue by presenting an investigation of vegetarianism and animal ethics within a Buddhist cultural domain.

Focusing on Sri Lanka, a place of great historical significance to Buddhism, the book looks at how lay Buddhists and the clergy came to understand the role of vegetarianism and animal ethics in Buddhism. It analyses whether the Buddha preached a view that encouraged vegetarianism, and how this squares with his pacifism towards animals. The book goes on to question how Buddhist food practices intersect with other secular activities such as traditional medicine, as well as discussing the wider implications of Buddhist animal pacifism including vegetarian political movements and animal rights groups.

Shedding light on a subject that, until now, has only been tangentially treated by scholars, this interdisciplinary study will be of interest to those working in the fields of Buddhist Studies, Religion and Philosophy, as well as South Asian Studies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Buddhism is widely known to advocate a stance of total pacifism towards all sentient beings, and because of this, it is often thought that Buddhist doctrine would stipulate that non-violent food practices, such as vegetarianism, be mandatory. However, the Pāli source materials do not encourage vegetarianism and most Buddhists do not practice it. Using research based on ethnographic evidence and interviews, this book discusses this issue by presenting an investigation of vegetarianism and animal ethics within a Buddhist cultural domain.

Focusing on Sri Lanka, a place of great historical significance to Buddhism, the book looks at how lay Buddhists and the clergy came to understand the role of vegetarianism and animal ethics in Buddhism. It analyses whether the Buddha preached a view that encouraged vegetarianism, and how this squares with his pacifism towards animals. The book goes on to question how Buddhist food practices intersect with other secular activities such as traditional medicine, as well as discussing the wider implications of Buddhist animal pacifism including vegetarian political movements and animal rights groups.

Shedding light on a subject that, until now, has only been tangentially treated by scholars, this interdisciplinary study will be of interest to those working in the fields of Buddhist Studies, Religion and Philosophy, as well as South Asian Studies.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Augenblick by James Stewart
Cover of the book Strategic Sales and Strategic Marketing by James Stewart
Cover of the book The Alchemy of Wolves and Sheep: A Relational Approach to Internalized Perpetration in Complex Trauma Survivors by James Stewart
Cover of the book Melancholy and the Critique of Modernity by James Stewart
Cover of the book An Encyclopedia of Swearing by James Stewart
Cover of the book The Arab Kingdom and its Fall by James Stewart
Cover of the book Higher Education in the Ancient World by James Stewart
Cover of the book Bringing Ethics Alive by James Stewart
Cover of the book Psychoanalysis and the Time of Life by James Stewart
Cover of the book Theories of Welfare by James Stewart
Cover of the book War and Peace in Qajar Persia by James Stewart
Cover of the book Handbook of Demonstrations and Activities in the Teaching of Psychology by James Stewart
Cover of the book Federal Narcotics Laws and the War on Drugs by James Stewart
Cover of the book Adapting to the Stage by James Stewart
Cover of the book Jaina Scriptures and Philosophy by James Stewart
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy