The author uses specious logic to support his prejudices and predilections and ignores a mountain of evidence to the contrary. In a short digression near the beginning of the book, he feels it necessary to show that one must be a vegetarian for moral purposes and not for health purposes. He does this by alluding to the "fact" that Adolf Hitler was a vegetarian, supposedly out of a psychotic fear for his health. This is actually untrue; Hitler was not a vegetarian. Even if it were true, it has no bearing on the validity of choosing a vegetarian diet for health reasons. Using this same logic, you can rant about the dangers of having a neatly trimmed mustache, wearing a uniform, or being a good orator. Unfortunately, when Kapleau turns to the main part of his argument, his reasoning gets no better.

He tries to show that there was a long-standing practice of vegetarianism before the Buddha's time by quoting an ancient Indian text, the "Manusmtri". This text says to avoid meat-eating because it is an ascetic practice that will bring good karmic merit. But that same text advocates animal sacrifice, because (it says) that's what the gods created them for; it also says that this type of ritual slaughter will bring good karmic results as well.

It is generally accepted by historians that there was a gradual acceptance of vegetarianism in India only centuries after the Buddha died. Another of the texts that he tries to use for his arguments (the vegetarian chapter of the Lankavatara Sutra) was appended to the main scripture much later and has no organic connection with the rest of the text. It was most likely written nearly a millennium after the Buddha died, so it doesn't offer any support for the author's argument.

It is a Western misconception that Buddhists are all vegetarian; so it's unfortunate to have a book like this furthering a mistaken notion. It's especially a shame that this was written by a Buddhist teacher, who has a resposibility to transmit the Dharma, not to make it support his own beliefs. My regard for Kapleau as a teacher went way down after reading this book.

This book is akin to the texts that "Creation Science" authors publish: it forms its conclusions first, and then goes looking for the evidence. Don't get me wrong -- there may be good reasons for becoming a vegetarian. You just won't find any in this book.


To the point, with compassion and insightful   September 22, 2001
 13 out of 15 found this review helpful

Roshi P. Kapleau does an amazing job of cracking the shell placed around contemporary Buddhism. He is adept in expanding its compassionate core to encompass the cruelty involved in consuming flesh (meat) and other animal products. This little book is very easy to access and understand. Its core is one of compassion for all sentient beings. How can this not be clearer? By consuming today's slaughtered (harvested) animals served up for people's taste buds, we consume their intense suffering and become what we eat. I highly recommend reading this for all people interested in cherishing all life as Roshi not only talks the truth but also walks it.


A must read for anyone considering vegetarianism!   April 26, 2001
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

This was an excellent book on the attributes of vegetarianism. The author covered all bases in a clear, concise and to the point manner. I recommend it for anyone thinking of adopting a vegetarian lifestyle or just wanting more information about vegetarianism, whether or not they are Buddhist.


well-researched, enlightening :-)   December 31, 2000
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

I highly reccommend this! One of the more convincing books I've read on the subject of vegetarianism. Kapleau provides reliable sources to say what he's trying to say, including members of the Buddhist religion, nutritionists, and meat inspectors. He even includes a list of many well-known writers and celebrities who are vegetarians, as well as some great quotes from them. Kapleau describes the Buddhist vow to not take life, and how some people consider an animal's life to be different from a human being's life. Kinda silly, when you think about it. I mean, it might seem weird not to kill spiders and bugs because you feel bad for them, but where exactly do you draw the line between a sentient being, and a "mindless" animal? *is* there even a line? The author discusses how different branches of Buddhism regard meat-eating, information on how meat is digested by the human body as opposed to vegetables, the long-standing claim that "vegetarians don't get enough protein," and the conditions in slaughterhouses in the u.s. as well as in other places, and what exactly is involved in getting a cow or a pig from the farm to your dinner plate. it's not horribly, grotesquely detailed (such that you wouldn't be able sleep at night), but it will certainly encourage the reader to develop an opinion on the issue. meat-eaters may regard it as a simple book describing Buddhist views on meat-eating, while others may realize just what they put into their bodies from day to day and choose these things more wisely. An especially helpful book for almost-vegetarians like myself.


Practicle, Insightfull, & Inspiring ... gasho   January 29, 1999
 19 out of 21 found this review helpful

One of the best books I have ever read on the relationship between Vegetarianism and Buddhism. This book avoids the pitfalls of many related books by gently describing the role of vegetarianism in Buddhist practice rather than "preaching" it's necessity.

Roshi Kapleau also does an excellent job of addressing the many issues and misconceptions encountered by today's Buddhist traversing this often misunderstood path of practice.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever asked the question, "What the heck does vegetarianism have to do with Buddhism?"