The Urgent Call to Embrace Vegetarianism

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by Venerable HaiZe.

The Sound of the New Year

The sound of the New Year rings out, travelling straight up into the heavens. It is a signal to all beings that a new year has arrived. Yet, as we celebrate, what is the reality of our actions? We see the widespread slaughter of countless creatures. Chickens, ducks, pigs, cows, and sheep are killed in great numbers. Fish, shrimp, crabs, and clams are also taken, and not one is missing from the table. They are all treated as guests at our feasts. Even shark fin and bird's nest are considered fine gifts to offer one another.

The Hidden Suffering of the Slaughtered

The people of this world do not hear the bitter, mournful cries of these creatures. They suffer intensely, yet their voices go unheard. We must understand the fundamental laws of karma and cause and effect: if you slaughter me today, I will surely kill you in a future life. If you have committed the karma of killing, the consequences will manifest exactly as they are. This is the result of causes planted in previous lifetimes, now ripening in this current life. I earnestly counsel the people of this world: life is truly precious.

The Karmic Consequences of Our Choices

Every creature—whether it is a chicken, a duck, a pig, a cow, a sheep, a fish, a shrimp, a crab, a clam, or even those used for shark fin and bird's nest—possesses a spirit. They have all been human in past lives. It is only because they committed the karma of killing that they have been reincarnated into these lower forms. Perhaps they were once your own parents or children, but after they passed away, they fell into the animal realm. Now, they are being slaughtered, becoming souls beneath the blade. Their own family members, unaware of this truth, consume their flesh. This is truly a tragedy of the highest order.

Nourishing Compassion Through Pure Food

The wars and conflicts that plague this world arise precisely because of the karma of killing. We must develop a heart of compassion and stop consuming meat. Vegetables and fruits are also delicious and nourishing. They are sufficient to sustain this physical body while allowing us to grow and nurture a heart of compassion. Protect all living creatures and cease the consumption of their flesh. Do not continue to create the karma that binds us to the cycle of rebirth. By choosing this path, you are protecting your own spirit and ensuring your body remains healthy and peaceful. May we all turn from confusion to awakening, from wrong paths to the right path, and from impurity to purity by chanting Namo Amituofo all the way.

Namo Amituofo