Michael Perkins

I was a vegetarian for more than twelve years. I ate dairy and egg products but avoided even the hint of meat.  My early studies of Buddhism led me to reflect on this practice, and I realized that my motivations were not well-founded.  I was not a vegetarian because I was opposed to harming animals.  I was not a vegetarian because I thought the vegetarian diet was healthy.  I was a vegetarian simply because I wanted to be a vegetarian.  It provided part of my identity.  It was something I could be -- and without too much effort.

There is nothing wrong with being a vegetarian. However, it did not seem to me that the privilege of simply calling myself a vegetarian was sufficient reason not to eat meat. So I had grilled salmon for dinner – and a burger shortly thereafter. Now I enjoy telling people that my encounter with Buddhism caused me to give up my vegetarianism.

A Meal of Fresh Octopus Lots of arms, just like Kannon the Goddess; Sacrificed for me, garnished with citron, I revere it so! The taste of the sea, just divine! Sorry, Buddha, this is another precept I just cannot keep. --Ikkyu