Recent resources on Eastern spiritual practice and vegetarianism

Go to the article 10 Steps to a More Peaceful Life

The Great Compassion: Buddhism & Animal Rights, by Norm Phelps. Lantern Books, 2004.

Want to deepen your understanding of Buddhist teachings on animal issues? In this clear commentary, Phelps examines the rationalizations made by meat-eating Buddhists and carefully dismantles each one.

Holy Cow: the Hare Krishna Contribution to Vegetarianism & Animal Rights, by Steven J. Rosen. Lantern Books, 2004.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has been a major player in spreading vegetarian awareness, reaching millions upon millions through their food distribution programs. Ranging from history and ethics to restaurants and recipes, this volume serves up the fascinating details.

Food of Bodhisattvas: Buddhist Teachings on Abstaining from Meat, by Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol, translated by the Padmakara Translation Group. Shambhala, 2004.

Excerpts from the writings of Shabkar, a nineteenth century Tibetan Buddhist teacher and passionate vegetarian, appear here along with an excellent translators’ introduction. Whether Buddhist or not, readers will be inspired by Shabkar’s conviction that a compassionate life requires a vegetarian diet.

VeggieDharma.org 

Calling itself "A Home for Vegetarian Buddhists," this comprehensive website maintained by Gabe Konrad serves as a support center and resource guide. You’ll find a wealth of interviews, quotations, book reviews, essays, helpful links, and an archive of relevant news stories from the Buddhist Channel.

-- Kate Lawrence