i do like all this gentle not-imposing-my-views-on-others-it's-not-BC (buddhistically correct!) stuff!  however i can't resist spicing the discussion up a bit!

 

i wonder if the following questions might apply here?  should this admirable hands-off policy extend to letting someone walk into a trap they can't see and don't believe is there?  or someone beat up another person?  or steal someone else's property?  or, in other words, from one aspect, should we take action to stop someone engaging in an action which may bring about an apparent short-term gain but which we believe is likely to lead to longer-term suffering?  and then, from another aspect, should we take action to protect someone who is being exploited by another person - ie do whatever is necessary to stop the exploitation?

 

i think there is a danger in the extreme of moral absolutism, and also a danger in the extreme of moral relativism!  let's hear it for a middle way!  there's a case for standing up for principles, even if that may be rather an uncomfortable thing to do - it takes courage, and skill to do it effectively without just strengthening other people's opposition.  and i also think it's important to examine our motivation for keeping quiet - i know in my own case it's often a wish not to upset people and incur their anger or give them reason to think poorly of me - i don't like people to think of me as an interfering old bat, or even worse a goodygoody twoshoes!  and god forbid anyone should think me pious!  so for me, my primary motivation for keeping quiet is usually less about respecting others' rights to do their own thing, and more about my own cowardice, mixed in with a bit of vanity. 

 

actually, it's interesting to be writing and sending this message - a small and timid part of me is saying -'uh-oh, be careful, they won't like this...'! 

with love

cait

----- Original Message -----

From: Ian Stuart

To: bbgforum@yahoogroups.co.uk

Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 9:51 PM

Subject: Re: [bbgforum] Instructions on not eating meat

Hi Sue

I agree, it's difficult (and not my idea of personal responsibility) to tell others what to do, it need sto be from them I think.......  we  make choices and take responsibility for them

Ian x

----- Original Message -----

From: MICHAEL FORSYTH

To: bbgforum@yahoogroups.co.uk

Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 8:29 PM

Subject: Re: [bbgforum] Instructions on not eating meat

Hi all,

 

I was thinking about this today at work and I have to say I'm feeling all confused and at sixes and sevens about what to do. Like Sarah I've been a Veggie for the majority of my life and it was never a choice for me, just a relief that I didn't have to eat meat any more. But, Mike and the kids eat meat which I have to buy and cook and present in front of them. I don't cook meat for them every day, but it's probably 5 days a week. Do I now refuse to buy or prepare meat because this is what I want to do? Is it fair for me to force my opinions and beliefs on the other people I live with? That's not what Buddhism is all about and not what I'm about either.

I have decided to stop working at the farm as my part in the proceedings seems too close at the moment but I won't stop buying or preparing meat. I feel that a good compromise for me is to make sure I buy organic meat when I can and to think about what I'm cooking and the kids and Mike are eating - honouring the sentient being if you like rather than making it some invisible and anonymous hunk of food. I'm still uneasy about it but I'm not sure what else to do - and I want to do something.

 

X Sue