online Q & A

Q: May I respectfully request your permission to raise a question, sir? In your book “Midnight Enquiries’,” you mentioned about 10 kinds of impermissible meat. Will you please elaborate a bit more on the reasons behind such prohibition?

Yè Naing Tun (India)

A: Once upon a time, The Lord Buddha was sojourning in the Isipatana Sanctuary. Nearby in the city of Vāraṇasī, lived a couple called Suppiya. Both but especially the wife were extremely pious.

One day , Lady Suppiya went to the Isipatana Sanctuary and asked “ Dear Lords, Is there anyone sick ? Can I do anything for then? One monk responded “Lady, I took a cathartic and now having loose motion. I wish to have a meat broth.’’ Suppiya then assured him “ OK, my Lord , I will bring that for you ,” and come home.

Once at home, she ordered her maid into town “Go and get some meat from already dead animal.” The maid went out to Search but reported back that none was available. Then Suppiya thought “I made a promise to the monk about the broth. He might die if he does not have that, what I should do.’’ Suddenly she got an idea. She took a knife and went into her bedroom.

She sliced the flesh from her own thigh and ordered the maid to cook the flesh. Then it was sent to the sick monk. When her husband leount what Suppiya did, he wondered “What a wonderful woman will there be anything that she can not give away? He then went to the Blessed one to invite for alms offering the following day.

When the Buddha came in the morning, took a prepared seat and enquired “Where is Suppiya? He knew too well. Her husband replied “She is in bed.” “Why is she still asleep?” “Oh, she is in pain,” “Why” Then the husband explained in details. “In that case, cavy her out,” the Buddha ordered. Therefore, Suppiya was brought towards Buddha with the aids of others. She immediately paid homage.

At that instant, her wound was healed and a fresh scar quickly recovered. Suppiya was awe struck impressed with instant cure and she admired Buddha’s magnificent power greatly. She was over whelmed with joy and enthusiasm. After that She offered lunch dāna with full of respect and sat down near the Buddha. He went back to his monastery after having his meal offered by Supiyya.

Once there, an assembly of monks was called and the monk who asked the broth was condemned. Oh. Monks, there are some devotees with great generosities, who dare to offer even their own flesh. But, you should not eat human flesh.

Thūllaccaya Ᾱpatti (Great Offend) must be fallen for those who accept such human fleshes. Monks should not eat meat without investigating first. Who eat it should be guilty of Dukkaṭa Ᾱpatti (the offence of wrong action).That is the reason why the Buddha didn’t allow to the Sanghā for having human flesh.

Elephant Flesh: Once there was a feature. Many elephants in the palace also died. People ate those dead elephants and offered the cooked elephant meat to the monks on their alms round. The monks ate it. Then some people condemned the monks by saying “Why did monks eat elephant meat? Elephants are considered a royal feature. Had the king known this he will be very unhappy with the monks?” When that was reported to Lord Buddha, He told the monks not to eat elephant meat. Who eat such must be guilty of Dukkaṭa.

Horse Flesh: The same applied to horse flesh.

Dog Flesh: Once there was a famine and people ate dogs. They offered the dog curry to the monks on their alms-round. The monks ate the offered dish. Then some criticized “The Buddha belonged to a royal lineage. Yet, his sons, the monks ate dogs, such a detestable animal. When that was reported to Buddha, Buddha admonished “Oh monks, you should not eat dogs. Any monk who eats must be guilty of Dukkaṭa.

Snake Flesh: During the time of the Buddha, so people ate snakes and also offered it to the monks. Monks had eaten what they offered. Then, other people condemned and blamed the monks for eating snakes as a disgusting animal to eat.

Once, a dragon king named Supassa approached and pleaded “Oh Lord, there are some dragons who don’t have faith and devotion to Buddha’s Sāsanā. There torment monks were tormented by such dragons for insignificant minor reasons. So please tell the monks not to eat snakes. Buddha then delivered a sermon to the dragon king. Later on, He told the monks “Oh Monks, Snakes are not suitable to eat. Who eats should be guilty of Dukkaṭa.

Lion Flesh: Once, there were monks who ate lions’ flesh and went into the forest. Lion got the smell of their own kin, so they chased the monks. When that episode was reported to the Buddha, He prohibited monks for eating lion flesh. He said “Monks must not eat lion flesh, who eats should be guilty of Dukkaṭa,” to be free from the threats of lions. The same stories applied to others wild animals like tiger, leopard, bear and yak.

Now, let us consider whether lay people should or should not eat these 10 kinds of meat.

The rules laid down by Buddha applied only to the monks. For ordinary lay people, except men’s meat, the rest can be consumed. One should not eat the flesh of one’s own species. However, those dwelling in deep jungles, it is better not to eat lions, tiger and leopards. Because, if you do, they will get the smell and there is the danger of being attacked.

(Mahāvā Pāli, Bhesajjakkhandhaka, Manussamaṁsadipaṭikkhepa Katha, hatthimaṁsā dipatikkhepa katha)