Vegetarianism – A Diet of Loving Kindness
For a start, let us understand one thing – Vegetarian is not just a lifestyle choice or a conscious choice, it is a healthy conscientious choice.
It is a diet of loving kindness because we are kinder to ourselves by eating better and healthier. In addition, we are kinder to animals and they need not suffer in order to feed us.
There are plenty of health benefits that comes with the virtue of being vegetarian. Not only does vegetarianism meets all one’s nutrient needs, it promotes less health risks that come with eating meat. Well-known doctors in the USA such as Dean Ornish and John MacDougall have discovered that plant-based diets have the power to reverse heart disease, diabetes, even cancer. So, this is about treating yourself with real loving kindness, and being well informed about the choices you make in what you eat.
For many people, be it out of tradition and habituation, becoming a vegetarian may seem alien and painfully hard. However, by allowing one’s mind and choices to change on a daily basis, you will see amazing results. It will not happen overnight, but it will definitely happen in due course. In this respect, vegetarianism is a journey about changing how you live and think.
In 2008, Oprah Winfrey even had a show on making consciouecs choices regarding the food we eat. Although it is not about vegetarian per say, but it highlights the cruelty against animals in farms across USA. Oprah actually brought in the cages in which cattle, pigs and chicken are housed onto her show and stood next to them to stress the animals’ dire living conditions.
You can watch the episode on http://www.oprah.com/world/Lisa-Ling-Investigates-Treatment-of-Animals-on-Farms
So, we may start with the kindness to ourselves and to our own bodies by becoming a vegetarian, but it will extend to the kindness to all around us. From the animals which will be spared, to our everyday living environment and even to our planet earth.
This is an all-encompassing compassion that extends to all of earth and its inhabitants. It requires less fuel, water, and other precious resources. As such, a plant based diet is les taxing on the planet. In addition, it helps our soil and water, as it is cleaner. In this way, our atmosphere gets healthy in the process.
Vegetarianism reduces planetary suffering on all levels. Hence, following a plant-based diet is really the “greenest thing” you can do.
Here, it is important to know that vegetarianism is not some new fad or lifestyle concept invented by the West and therefore, one will not find much vegetarian eateries or vegetarian choices in our own city.
In the Klang Valley, there are plenty of vegetarian restaurants and organic shops. In fact, they are fast growing in numbers. This shows that our community are becoming more educated and health-conscious.
I have compiled a list of interesting vegetarian places and organic stores to eat in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya for everyone’s easy reference.
The List of vegetarian restaurants and organic shops in our city:
1. Blue Boy
Address: No.6001 Blue Boy Mansion, Jalan Tong Shin (Jalan Pudu Lama), Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 9:30 pm (Daily)
Review: http://www.friedchillies.com/index.php/site/detail/blue_boy/
Source: http://babeinthecitykl.blogspot.com/2006/08/review-blue-boy-vegetarian-food-centre.html
Worthy Notes: The economy rice selection can put most shops to shame. Blue Boy vegetarian serves everything for the local herbivore. Even those who swears by meat will find something tasty and satisfying here.
2. Gandhi’s
Address: Gandhi’s Scott Sentral Serviced Apartments Jalan Scott Brickfields
Telephone: 03-22733190 For catering enquries: 017-283 856, 012-335 6074
Review: http://www.friedchillies.com/index.php/site/detail/gandhis/ and http://masak-masak.blogspot.com/2009/11/vegetarian-food-gandhis-brickfields.html
Worthy Notes: The best thing at Gandhi’s – the cannot-stop-eating cauliflower with curry leaves.
3. Vegetarian fast Food Centre (near KLCC)
Address: Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery, No. 161, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03-2164 8055
Fax: 03-2163 7118
Review: http://visit-malaysia.yinteing.com/2009/10/10/where-to-get-great-vegetarian-food-in-kuala-lumpur/ and http://crazeeeat.blogspot.com/2009/05/vegetarian-fast-food-centre-affordable.html
Worthy Notes: This is a favourite among office workers in KLCC.
4. EcoGreen Organic Restaurant @ BAKTI
Address: Bangunan BAKTI Siti Hasmah, 6 Changkat Abang Hj Openg, TTDI KL
Telephone: 03-7729 2789 / 019-2626 168
Review: http://alilfatmonkey.blogspot.com/2010/04/ecogreen-organic-restaurant-bakti-ttdi.html
Worthy Notes: Complete lack of use of artificial flavorings and colorings in all their dishes. It’s fresh and local. So much healthier!
5. Woods Macrobiotic
Address: Woods Eco-Cuisine Sdn. Bhd., 25 Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Telephone: 03-2287 0959
Fax: 03 2287 0969
Website: www.macrobiotics-malaysia.com
6. Organic Recipe
Address: B3-07-09, Casa Utama, Lorong Lebuh Bandar Utama, PJU 6A, 47400 PJ
Telephone: 03-7729 0236, 012-319 2357
Review: http://foongpc.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-lunch-at-organic-recipe.html and http://en.petitchef.com/recipes/organic-recipe-fid-437113
7. Yishensu
Address: Located at Lot G207, opposite TGIF in the old wing of One Utama.
8. Puremind Restaurant
Address: No. 102 Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan
Telephone: 03-21410 376
Review: http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=13242
9. Yin Futt Kuok Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: No. 52, Jalan Hang Lekiu, Kuala Lumpur (near Jalan Gereja)
Telephone: 03-20707 468
Opening hours: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm (last order 8:30 pm)
Review: http://www.klue.com.my/articles/1434-Yin-Futt-Kuok-Vegetarian-Restaurant
10. Gopala Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: No. 59, Jalan Thambipillai, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03-2274 1959
Review: http://seeking-restaurant.blogspot.com/2010/01/indian-
vegetarian-food.html and http://babeinthecitykl
.blogspot.com/2009/08/recently-captn-
hook-was-looking-around.html
11. MG’s Cafe (Vegetarian Cafe & Bakery)
Address: No. 38-G Jalan 27/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03-2300 3118
Other branches:
Taipan
No. 47, Jalan USJ 10/1A
UEP Subang Jaya
Tel: 03-5631 3023
Sunway
No. 7-G, Jalan PJS 11/28
Sunway Metro
Bandar Sunway
Tel: 03-5638 1295
Review: http://www.mgscafe.com/
12. South Indian Aiyer Restaurant
Address: B1 Block B Palm Court Condominium, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours: 6:30 am to 1:00 pm
Review: http://seeking-restaurant.blogspot.com/2010/01/indian-vegetarian-food.html
13. Annalakshmi
Address: 116, Jalan Berhala, Brickfields.
Telephone: 03-2274 3799
Review: http://eatdrinkkl.blogspot.com/2010/03/annalakshmi.html
14. Tian Yian Cafe Restaurant
Address: No. 5, 7 9, Jalan 3/93, Taman Miharja, Jalan Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03-9281 8837
Opening hours: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Worthy Notes: This is not your typical vegetarian restaurant serving Chinese style vegetarian fare. As you would have noticed in their name, they’re also a cafe serving Western vegetarian food like pizza, burger, steaks (yeah, steaks but using mock meat!), eggless vegetarian cakes in all sorts of flavours, fluffy buns and healthy breads.
Review: http://www.placesandfoods.com/2009/03/awesome-vegetarian-food-tian-yian-cafe-cheras.html and http://loverkim.blogspot.com/2009/10/wai-lungs-birthday-dinner-tian-yian.html
15. Giant Bowl Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: No. 119A, Ground Floor, Batu 3 1/2, Jalan Klang Lama , 58000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Telephone: 03-7982 3869
Fax: 03-7982 3869
There is another branch located in SS2 in Petaling Jaya, in the same row as McDonald’s.
Worthy Notes: They have a good selection of noodles and rice.
16. Ahimsa Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: Lot 1063, 1st Floor, Endah Parade, No.1, Jalan 1/149E, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Telephone: 03-9543 1378
Fax: 03-9543 1378
Worthy Notes: Steamboat and local Chinese cuisine
17. Formosa Vege Café
Address: No. 48, Jalan Sultan, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2026 1521
Opening Hours: 11.00am to 9.00pm
*This restaurant is the same row as previously REX Cinema*
18. En Hui Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: No 48, Jalan 6/21D, Medan Idaman, Jalan Gombak, 53000 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03-4025 5816, 012-288 1361
Opening Hours: 7:30am to 3:pm and 6:00pm to 9:30pm
19. Restoran Vegetarian Wan Fo Yuan
Address: No. 8, Jalan Panggong, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03-2078 0952
Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
*This restaurant is walking distance to Gurdwara Sahib High Street*
20. Jing Si Vegetarian
Address: No. 146, Jalan Cerdas, Taman Connaught,Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur
Review: http://www.taufulou.com/2009/10/22/jing-si-vegetarian-restaurant-cafe-taman-connought-cheras/
21. Bakti Woodlands Vegetarian Food Cafe Sdn Bhd
Address: No. 55, Leboh Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03-2034 1399
Location: http://food.malaysiamostwanted.com/venues/bakti-woordland-vegetarian-leboh-ampang
22. Amata Vegetarian Restaurant Bhd
Address: No.2, Jalan Panggong (Chinatown, at Jalan Sultan), Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03-2026 9077
Review: http://www.vegguide.org/entry/1231
Worthy Notes: Speciality dishes are Assam fish, Balacan potato leaves, curry mutton, black pepper chicken, shark’s fin soup, seaweed fried rice, Thai style fried rice, green tea, carrot juice with milk, and Chinese pancake.
23. Fai Cai Xiang Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: No. 23, Ground Floor, Plaza Danau 2, Jln 2/109F, Danau Desa, Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03-7981 9812
Review: http://healthfreakmommy.blogspot.com/2010/01/fan-cai-xiang-vegetarian-restaurant.html
24. Madras New Woodlands Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: No. 15, Jalan Scott, Off Jalan Tun Sambatan, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Worthy Notes: Serves excellent South Indian food at prices that are more affordable than those at the average vegetarian restaurant. Also available are other Malaysian and Western dishes, such as Mee Goreng and Cheese Sandwich. Their specialties are Rocket Masala Dosai, Udipi Dosai, Puri Bhaji with Channa Dhall, Uttapam, Breakfast Sets, Set Lunches, Samosa and Mango Lassi.
25. Shiang Hai Vegetarian Restaurants
Address: No. 32A, Ground Floor, Jalan PJS 8/2, Mentari Plaza, 46160 Sunway Mentari, Petaling Jaya (Opposite Sunway Pyramid)
Telephone: 03-5621 1016, 03-5621 1017
Fax: 03-5621 1016
Review: http://www.3-meals.com/2008/04/16/shiang-hai-vegetarian-restaurant/
The Famous Vegans or Vegetarians around the World:
- Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook
- Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter
- Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple
- Alanis Morissette, Singer
- Albert Einstein, renowned Scientist
- Alicia Silverstone, Actress
- Amitabh Bachchan, Bollywood Superstar
- Angela Bassett, Actress
- Anna Pacquin, Actress
- Avril Lavigne, Singer/Musician
- Brooke Shields, Actress
- Carrie Underwood, Country Singer
- Carrie Anne Moss, Actress in ‘Matrix’
- Chris Evert, Tennis Champion
- Chris Martin, Lead Singer of Coldplay
- Christian Bale, Actor
- Claudia Schiffer, Supermodel
- Diane Keaton, Actress
- Dustin Hoffman, Actor
- Ian McKellan, British Actor from ‘Lord of the Rings’
- Jesus Christ, Christian Saint
- Joan Jett, Rock Musician
- Joaquin Phoenix, Actor
- John Abraham, Bollywood Star
- k.d Lang, Musician
- Kelly Clarkson, Singer
- Kim Basinger, Actress
- Leonardo Da Vinci, Italian Inventor & Painter
- Leona Lewis, British Popstar
- Mark Twain, Famous American writer
- Noami Watts, Actress
- Oliver Stone, Director
- Orlando Bloom, Actor
- Pink, American Popstar
- Samuel L. Jackson, Actor
- Sandra Oh, Actress
- Shania Twain, Canadian Country Singer
Sources:
- http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/nutshell.htm
- http://goodhealthnyou.com/healthnhygiene/index1.asp?id=58&aid=88
- http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2010/06/27/MN0C1DQ2GA.DTL
- http://compassionate-vegetarians.blogspot.com/
- http://vegetarianstar.com/2010/09/08/facebooks-vegan-mark-zuckerberg-vanity-fair-1-100-most-influential/
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There are lots of people have more than one reason for choosing vegetarianism. Many people choose a vegetarian diet out of concern over animal rights or the environment and others may be based on religious beliefs or even for healthier lifestyle.
Regardless of whether you choose a vegetarian way of life, it’s always a healthy idea to eat a wide variety of foods and try out new foods when you can.
Thank you for the sharing and compiling the list of vegetarian restaurants in Klang Valley. I am glad to know whereabout and hoping to try them.
https://bit.ly/3siC4tf
Vegetarianism is a diet that reflects love and kindness to oneself and others, and to our environment. We are kind to ourselves by avoiding the foods which are meat-based which research shows contributes to diseases. Furthermore, we are kind to animals as we don’t inflict pain on them or send trauma and shock waves through them by slaughtering them(directly or indirectly) -in whatever way we do this, it will still bring pain and suffering.
From there we extend our love and compassion to our environment. As we eat less meat, we will contribute to the decreasing deforestation and acreage used to plant food for the animals whose flesh is consumed by meat-eaters. All round, it requires less fuel, water, and other precious resources to sustain a meatless diet.
Thank you Rinpoche for showing us why there is every reason for us to go for a vegetarian diet.
Consuming excessive amounts of meat especially red meat is quite bad for our heart, blood vessels, and overall health. Eating meat makes you responsible for all the animal cruelty and killing that takes place daily. More people nowadays choose vegetarian diets for many reasons. Which including personal preference, health conscious and concerns as they believe a plant-based diet is much healthier.
Many vegetarians avoid meat because they do not want animals killed or harmed. Vegetarians are linked with lower levels of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and certain types of cancers. Doctors discovered that plant-based diets could even reverse heart disease, diabetes, even cancer.Thats wonderful……It is a diet of loving kindness.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing
Vegetarianism is growing and many are switching to vegetarian diet. The factors for the switch are because it is a healthier diet. Studies show that a vegetarian diet reduces the risk for chronic diseases such as obesity, coronary artery diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. Another reason is because of their concern/care for animals and environment. Billions of animals are slaughtered for human consumption yearly and many dislikes the meat processing industry as most of the animals are crammed into cages where they can barely move or turned around. Many became vegetarians after realizing the devastation that the meat industry is having on the environment as factory farms are responsible for causing polluted rivers and streams.
Nowadays, there are so many vegetarian restaurants/cafes/shops that cater to a healthy diet and there is no excuse for us to eat meat; we have such a widespread vegetarian menu.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for compiling a list of interesting vegetarian places for our easy reference.
We have a choice in the food we consume. However, if we ponder and concern a bit more about the source, the process of getting the food , the effect to the environment and our health, then I think we would change our mind to not eating animals and seafood.
Why ? Because our demand in meat would encourage suffering to other living beings, killing and some entrepreneurs may even apply unscrupulous method to produce the meat and added chemicals to bring down the cost of food. Hence, vegetarianism will encourage the loving and kindness value in us to grow. Of course vegetarian will also lead us to have healthier diet.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the articles and the list of vegetarian restaurant.
Vegetarianism is a choice. It is about not killing, one of the Refuge precepts. Most Mahayana Buddhists tend towards vegetarianism on specific days of the month which, to me, is better than not making any effort towards a more compassionate eating.
Some of the restaurants listed above have since closed but more has taken their place. It is very convenient being vegetarian now as there are more and more vegetarian outlets especially in the Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur area.
And, there are many articles in this website for recipes and recommendations.
Thank you, Rinpoche for taking the effort to educate us on being a vegetarian.
Vegetarianism is a lifestyle choice, a health choice as well as a compassionate choice. it is also a choice that impacts our environment.In the latter case, think of how feeding animals destined to be on our dinner plate requiries acres and acres of land to be cleared of vegetation and forests,much of which are the abodes of animals, and which then impacts the climate negatively as well.
The health benefits are many . It’s not just for nutrition, but according to research,plant-based diets have the power to reverse heart disease, diabetes, even cancer.
Choosing a vegetarian diet impacts our everyday life. Initially, it might be difficult to handle it, as most of our friends and family members, with whom we have our meals regularly, are non-vegetarians. However, over time, people have come to accept that we are vegetarian, and are ready to accommodate us. Our habituated fondness for, and craving for, meat , can be dealt with easily. Over time, it becomes easier, and with more practice, it becomes possible.
In fact today, this compassion for ourselves that prompted us to become vegetarian, can be seen to have extended itself beyond not wanting to be party to the killing of animals for our food , to not wanting to harm other animals as well. The loving-kindness and compassion have become more all-encompassing to include even our environment.
We recognise, more and more , the interdependence of all beings and our environment.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. Aside from being compassion and religious, I agreed that there are plenty of health benefits being on vegan diet. The meat that human are consuming now is full of hormones, parasites, preservative and antibiotic, all of which make animals grow faster and or produce leaner meat for food. These are facts but majority people still have a misconception that meat can provide vitamins and minerals to a human that veg can’t and therefore affecting their will to be a vegetarian. I am blessed that my family can adapt to vegetarian diet and I will continue to encourage my children to observe vegetarianism. I find the following article link quite interesting about “Humans are naturally plant-eaters” http://michaelbluejay.com/veg/natural.html
Those who are not yet a vegetarian, pls be consider. Being vegetarian is not about us anymore, it’s about the world’s future.
As Rinpoche said being vegetarian for good for Heath and one animals die for us one day , – vegetarian is sometimes hard, but We have stick to that.
Instead of choosing what food to eat we chose to focus on the countless lives that being killed for food everyday.
Thank you Rinpoche,
I actually became a vegetarian quite accidentally and unintentionally. When I joined Tsem Ladrang in August 2012, most of the close students in Rinpoche’s ladrang were already vegetarian and since I was always having meals either in Ladrang or with one of them outside, every meal was naturally vegetarian. Before I knew it I was a full time vegetarian because it became a natural habit.
The transition was much easier than I thought because there was never any shortage of meal options and having the support from the people I go out to eat with helped a lot.
Dear Rinpoche, after being vegetarian for about 1 year . I feel that my fart is not as smelly as it used to be, before I became a vegetarian, my fart smells like rotten meat. Now I can barely smell my fart thanks to the vegetables, but my fart will only smell horrible when I eat durian. There was also a event made by Oprah Winfrey, it’s about going vegan for a week. And all the participants were very happy with the results.
I think that people becoming vegetarian is a very good thing. Ever since i have become vegetarian, I have noticed a change in my health and my fitness. I hope that more people choose to have this same diet as me, and that they will stop killing animals around the world.
I have eaten at EcoGreen Bakti, Organic Recipe, Yishensu and Giant Bowl … love their food.
Dear Rinpoche,
I went to Woods Macrobiotic at Bangsar, but quite sometimes ago, they serve lots of Organic dishes too,very delicious, worth to try.
Giant Bowl Vegetarian Restaurant is very near my house, they are famous in their Noodles and rice, but normally i go for noodle. I like Organic Recipe most, varieties of selection, western and chinese, i love the black pepper bitter gourd noodle 🙂
Thank you Rinpoche for these informations, so that i know where to go for vegetarian restaurant 🙂
I’ve been to Organic recipe (i love the bah kut teh there!), McG’s (nice sushi!), Woods Macrobiotics (the pizza is yummy but i haven’t been there for awhile) and Giant Bowl ss2 (nice noodles) and Yishensu (i think i had the western dish which was quite nice). Thank you for sharing this list of vegetarian restaurants. I will definitely look into trying them out! I still think Kechara Oasis is way up there for delicious vegetarian food though – no bias intended!
Dear all, please include Kechara Oasis at Jaya One and Viva Home on your list of vegetarian restaurant. It is surely one place many people do not want to miss! The food offering is great, unique and delicious. If you have not tried you must surely do immediately. Kechara Oasis was inspired by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche himself who is promoting compassionate eating and world peace.
I have visited Organic Recipe in BU and Yishensu in One Utama before.
I like Organic Recipe because of their wide variety. They have chinese, western, fusion..My favourite food there are their BAKKUTTEH and Cabonara spaghetti…all vegetarian of course! Theres both indoor and outdoor seating so it is convenient for all! Pricing wise is average, a little pricy on my opinion but the food is worth it!
Yishensu in One Utama impressed me because of the price! I was surprised that the pricing is rather cheap for a restaurant in a mall. and the food was not bad..I only went there once but I will definitely go again. The downside is the variety isn’t many.
I will go to more of the restaurants listed above to taste the food and hopefully to put on weight! hehe..which are the nice ones you guys propose?
From the above list, I have been to:
Organic Recipe: They recently “revamped” their western menu. Must try: “House Burger”.
McG’s Cafe: Very nice Asam Laksa!
Giant Bowl Vegetarian: Yellow rice with mutton curry is my favorite
🙂
Yes Lew, I agree with your above choices. There are so many choices and varieties of vegetarian food. I can never understand comments like “you are a vegetarian? what is there to eat?”.
There are so many choices to satisfy one’s appetite without having to cause so much fear and suffering to another being. All for afew minutes of satisfaction to be excreted the next day. Is it really worth it??
Also here http://www.thepetitionsite.com/29/help-save-our-strays-at-lorong-halus/
and here http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=87&ea.campaign.id=9816&msource=DR110309003
Thank you.
Please sign the petition you’ll find here : STOP THE SEAL HUNT http://www.change.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-to-support-a-total-ban-on-seal-products#?opt_new=f
It is a crucial time to protect seals from cruel, commercial hunting and the IFAW desperately need your help for a final push to ensure a ban on seal products across the whole of the European Union. Please take a few moments to contact José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission and ask him to support a total ban on the trade in seal products.
It will only take a moment of your time.
Thank you.
http://www.change.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-to-support-a-total-ban-on-seal-products#?opt_new=f
It is impossible to justify the intense suffering of the lives and deaths of animals for the few seconds they spend on our tastebuds, impossible. It just does not add up.
Stop exploiting animals and start helping them.
You will feel better. The animals will definitely feel better. And you will help the environment, too.
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_7311457
When I was a kid, my parents slaughters chickens and ducks to make a living. It didnt occur to me then that these poultry were frigthen as they watch they counterparts slaughter by my dad and blood drain into a bowl. I know the meat of these poultry must be full of negativity and the fear were in them. But what can my dad and mom do. Survival for the family. I may have also inherited bad karma from those time of my parents. My dad had severals operations then later liver cancer. Most people would have qualms killing an animal, I can say I have no problem with that I would speak to my ex that I am capable of killing and and dispose it without any evidence. I harbour alot of negative energy then and hatre. But as I moved on in life and met Rinpoche’s meeting and slowly i begin to understand and come to senses of kindness. Even stray cats and neighbours.. I love to be vegetarian but I got bad companion who nags at me that they are put in this world to eat or it wont strike a balance. Again it is my fault no determination.
In the wisdom words of our Lama, Vegetarianism is a diet of Loving kindness:- (1) To ourselves by eating better and healthier (2) To Animals as they need not suffer to feed us. It is also a healthy conscientious choice of diet. Since I went on my vegetarian diet at the advice of my guru, my blood pressure count has dropped from a constant high of 164/100 down to 135/80. So was my colesteral level at the high of 7.2 down to 4.6 now. (KL general hospital acceptable level is at 5.2) (this is not counting my weight reduction which has gone down tremendously). To go vegetarianism is actually to adopt an act of all-encompassing compassion – to help cleansed the earth of all its impurities, and particularly, to save the animals from greater fears,strife tortures and finally to end up in the frying pans, cooking pots and the sharp ends of choppers and knives for human cravings and attachments. If only animals can talk, they will fill you with shame, remorse, tears and deep regrets. Since they cannot, we are strongly requested by our Lama to view the two videos entitled “Dog Meat Trade” and “please watch & leave your thoughts & comments for me…. to convince yourselves why you should go vegeterianism. In one of the brochures printed out by U.S.Dept of Agriculture, 6.1 billion animals in the form of sheeps, cattles chickens and turkeys were slaughtered and killed every year to satisfy the stomachs of the people there. In our dharma practice we are taught the law of cause and effect, where these golden words of Lord Buddha should move us “All tremble at Punishments, All fear death (Life is dear to all) Comparing others with oneself, one should neither kill nor cause to kill”. Happy Vegeteriansm to one and All.
Come the NINTH LUNAR MONTH of the Chinese calendar, i shall rejoice! Then, many Chinese in Penang will observe the Taoist 9- Emperor-gods festival, where the devotees will go VEGETARIAN for nine days. No, i am not a devotee, but i will go crazy over the VEGETARIAN FOOD sold all over Penang; at restaurants, hawker stalls and even Buddhist temples! It’s the time you can buy the most variety of vegetarian food – aromatic ‘nasi ulam'(herb-rice), “po-lay ikan”(perut ikan), “acat awak”(tangy, crunchy, chunky vegetable pickle), succulent “lor-bark”(mock meat-rolls), laksa, Hokkien-mee and Curry-mee etc. Absolutely heavenly and definitely “ho-ciak lo!”. The amazing fact is, (due to the LOWER DEMAND for meat, fish and meat-based food), many other restaurants, hawkers, fresh meat sellers and fishmongers had been known to CLOSE DOWN during that period of time! Some of them even RESORT TO SELLING VEGETARIAN FOOD then. Ssso, see you in Penang then – Sharon, Seng Piow and Girlie, bring the gang lah! Heheh!
I guess I am one of the lucky persons to take vegetarian without any problems. Even as a child I have to be forced to take meat and seafood. In the early years of my marriage I remember I had a severe illness of hyperthyroid toxicosis which has caused a lot of problems in my marriage. which was detected very much later. This sickness makes a person very irritable and fault finding. This sickness is due to lack of iodine lacking in me because I did not take seafood. I was also anaemic as I did not take meat. All these were treated after a major sugery. With proper vegn supplements I am well and happy to be a vegetarian without having to eat meat that are slaughtered and killed.
We were talking about pets and vegetarianism with Rinpoche the other day, when Rinpoche said to us, “Next time you want to eat some meat, think that you’re eating your cat” (or dog or hamster or rabbit – circle as appropriate, whatever pet you have). This helps VERY much in contemplating the sufferings of animals and abstaining from eating meat. (every time I want to buy a KFC bucket now, I think that it’s all chopped up pieces of my cat Grumbles, battered and deep fried – gross).
We tend to create a separate between animals that our pets (alive, a member of the family, cute, cuddly, with personalities and characters) and animals that we eat (not really an animal, no feelings, no personality, faceless). There is of course no difference – cute cuddly Fluffy the Dog may as well be the cow that was just butchered up for your burger. It’s still a being, with all the same capacity to feel, think, fear, suffer as Fluffy the Dog.
So next time you want to chomp into a steak, think that someone chopped up your Fluffy Happy Cutesy Pooch, put him through a meat tenderizer, seasoned him with Barbecue sauce and then sizzled him on a grill. Poor Fluffy!
Most of us are aware that being vegetarian is good for us. However, it is not easy to break that habituation of having a meatless diet as most of the time, we never give it a second thought of eating meat. We eat whatever that comes by, at family meals, wedding dinners, BBQs, social gatherings etc without battling an eyelid. We eat meat to satisfy our taste buds because we know no better. Nowdays, we are exposed to delicious vegetarian food in many restaurants around town (Kechara Oasis still serves the best quality vegetarian food!). I am glad I am in an environment where I am reminded not to be selfish. I am glad that I have been having vegetarian lunches for some time now, and working on being a vegetarian soon.
It is so easy and convenient to go vegetarian nowadays.In the old days if we need to eat vegetarian we have to go to the hassle of cooking at home. Even if you have money you won’t be able to buy v egetarian food. There are no shops or restaurants around. Being on vegetarian diet does not have to tax on your pocket. If you have to spend within your budget there are vegetarian stalls that are very cheap which charge only RM3 to RM4 for a meal of three portions of vegetable. For people who really must economise they have subsidise meals at RM2 per meal at some shops started by a Chinese Mahayana Temple called Foh Kwang San. Being a vegetarian serves two purposes. Its good for your health and also you don’t have to kill as a compassion to the animals.
Dearest Rinpoche,
Once again Rinpoche has gone way beyond in your kindness. Not only has Rinpoche on countless occasions stressed on the importance of being vegetarian, now Rinppoche has even shared with us a list of 25 vegetarian restaurants AND names of people who are vegetarian whom we possibly do not know are in the hope to make us realize there are options and we are not alone… 😉
Being vegetarian myself, I know it is not only a choice but THE choice. I started this ‘journey’ of mine for health reasons and being a Buddhist now, it really is icing on the cake so to speak as it gives it a moral purpose as well as a benefitial one. It is truly much better on many levels.
Why we still choose to delude ourselves into sticking to our attachments is beyond me. I often think to myself and have little debates in my head that perhaps it is easy to say all this as I am a vegetarian… however I have to catch myself and say “hang on a moment, I was very much a meat eater myself. Perhaps not so much of the red meat variety but most definitely chicken and fish. And if I can do it, anyone can! It really is NOT hard at all”.
Please allow me to add to Rinpoche’s worthy notes on the following restaurants as they are some of my favourites:
5. Woods Macrobiotic
They have really good set meals which are done according to days of the week. Some days I must add are better than others. The shiitake burger is to die for! There is also a lemongrass drink concoction which is just yummmm. And they also sell fresh organic produce in the restaurant itself.
6. Organic Receipe
They have a brilliant selection of items ranging from mock meat chinese style dishes with brown rice to western delicacies. All very consistant and delicious! Love the fresh spring rolls and pizzas. The noodles are really yummy too. All ingredients are organic and made on site. They too have an in store grocery area where you can find all sorts of heathly substitutes!
Thierry and I must go try some of the restautants on Rinpoche’s list… Much love… Andrew
It is such a touching gesture, that Rinpoche has not only advised us accordingly, but also made the effort to list the vegetarian eateries! It really has a place in his heart! Sharon’s so right; we are so driven by selfish desires to eat meat! Om Mani Padme Hum!
Being vegetarian is only difficult because of our selfishness – when we want to indulge our taste buds in eating meat because of habituation. I personally don’t like vegetables very much – especially chinese style, though i do enjoy western salads and pastas etc.
However, it is very much Dharma practice to put others above our own selfish desires. I decided to go vegetarian because it was time to stop being selfish. There is no need for meat in our diet as there are many other protein sources in a vegetarian diet. It’s heartening to see the number of celebrities who are vegetarian – they are people who can choose to eat anything they want – all the luxurious foods are at their fingertips because of their wealth, but yet they choose to be vegetarian, so that should be inspirational to others.
Rinpoche always advises us to be vegetarian because of compassion to animals. If we like pets, or animals in a farm, we should not think of eating them! We may not be able to do prayers all day long but choosing what we eat is definitely something any of us can do, at any time, anywhere. If it’s difficult to be vegetarian, that difficulty would be the exact reason why we should do it. To overcome our attachments for the benefit of others. If we cannot even control our desire for a certain taste, which is such a small thing, how can we think about mind transformation.
I must admit i would never have become vegetarian if not for Rinpoche’s teachings and advice. Thank you Rinpoche for Rinpoche’s kindness in showing me how to overcome myself.
Rinpoche, It makes me happy to see others such as yourself have the compassion to become vegetarian. While it comes very natural to you and me, I know it’s not very natural for other’s and it does make me sad. This is where I use my Buddhist wisdom to feel my sadness, not judge them, then let go.
– Joyce