Theos-Talk Archives (May 1998 Message tt00196)

>In a message dated 98-05-06 09:26:41 EDT, Dallas writes:
>
><< No animal food of whatever kind, nothing that has life in it,
> should be taken by the disciple. >>
>
>WQJ tried vegetarianism for nine years and gave it up because he found it
>"injurious". He said it wasn't suited for Westerners. He said eating fish was
>OK, describing them as "floating vegetables". He said that "the stomach does
>not digest vegetables, it is for meat; the teeth are for tearing and grinding
>meat". He said he knew many physicians in the TS who agreed with him and that
>some of them insisted that vegetarianism was wrong under any circumstances.
>"The kingdom of heaven is not gained by eating meat or by refraining from it",
>he said further.
>
>Apparently, he is at odds with HPB on this issue.
>
>LONG LIVE THE BIG MAC !!!!
>Lmhem111
>
>(quotes from FORUM ANSWERS, Theosophy Company- 1982, ISBN 0-938998-27-7)

I view the issue of vegetarianism in a grey way.  I agree with Judge that
certain animal bodies need certain food.  I also know that humans are
unique in that they can basically eat anything that doesn't kill them or
make them sick, from bugs to other humans.  Otherwise, with the exception
of individual bodily reactions, such as allergies and hypoglycemia, the
only limit to eating is based upon one's individual likes and dislikes.
Humans are also unique in that they have the intelligence to combine food
to get what they need.  With the greater knowledge of food nutrition, most
of us can be vegetarians.

With the idea of ahimsa and the idea that vegetarianism is possible for
most people, that leaves us with the issue as to whether vegetarianism
should be requested of theosophists.  IMO, that should be left to
individual choices.  Everyone is probably aware of ahimsa, everyone is
probably aware that vegetarianism is possible, and everyone should know
what they need.  What is not known for certain is whether vegetarianism
will help you reach enlightenment.  What is not known for certain should
not be mandated.  Anyway, my judgement would be based not only on some
doctrine but also on the natural environment of the individual.  Since that
vary widely, vegetarianism should be limited to an individual's choice.
Even the Dalai Lama, as I read on this list once, eats Yakh meat.

>LONG LIVE THE BIG MAC !!!!

LONG LIVE SCOOBY DOO!!!!

Anyway, if some theosophists could influence the "truth" in everything,
including TV shows, we would be watching these soaps, AS THE WORLD BURNS,
ALL MY DAMNED CHILDREN, DAYS OF OUR SECOND DEATH, THE MISGUIDING LIGHT, and
THE YOUNG & THE RECKLESS.  And, dare I say it, DALLAS (who shot HPB?)! :o)

Thoa :o)