WHY IS VEGETARIANISM SO INTENSELY INITIATED BY SAGES?

Initiation of VEGETARIANISM by sages is more than a matter of refraining from eating flesh-foods, or animal products to maintain a healthy physique; because man is not just a body of mere biological organism. The greatest concern is the acquisition of insights into man’s innermost being which is frequently referred to as his “SPIRITIUAL NATURE” or “CONSCIENCE”.

Confucius said: “The object of the superior man is TRUTH. FOOD is not his object.”

From the standpoint of Natures Law and Order, all creations are one – that is, all life forms, whether human or non-human, are descendants of a COMMON ROOT, embracing a unifying commitment to UNIVERSAL BORTHERHOOD and an adherence to TRUTH and the GOSPEL OF NON-VIOLENCE. It is the Destiny of everything that lives to manifest its own nature to its utmost possibility, and man is no exception. But when man is engulfed by his ‘world-ego’, he will have trouble framing his concept in a Positive Way, insomuch that he is monopolized by the criteria of his mind, seeing only the CONTRADICTION, MANIFOLDNESS and DIFFERENCE.

Mencius said: “Moreover, HEAVEN gives birth to creatures in such a way that they have ONE ROOT.”
Source: Tang Wan Kung Part 1 BK III

WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MAN’S “WORLD EGO” INSTEAD OF HIS “NATURAL DISOPOSITON?”

Within the scope of mankind, the general impression of ‘life’ commences from the day of man’s birth right to his very last breath on Earth; and by nature, man is composed of a physical body and mind. The organic body which is of material form needs to rely on material things such as food to nourish its growth; whereas the mind which is an active mentality requires a serene order of mind in order to live. Hence the liveliness of man’s physical body is precisely the various phenomena of “PSYCHIC ATCIVITIES”.

As far as man is concerned “PSYCHE” is commonly thought of as a kind of very comprehensive abstract whereby its existence is not denied but FEW, attentively research into the lowest depth of: “WHY AND HOW IT EXISTS”.

What is PSYCHE?

Psyche is a reconciling composition of SPIRITUAL NATURE and CONSCIENCE. Nevertheless, the majorities of people either have a partial knowledge or fundamental misconception of psyche, or as a result are unaware of its being PRE-EXISTENCE, INEXHAUSTIBLE, FREE FROM CHANGES, FORMLESS, TASTELESS, INAUDIBLE, VOID OF TOUCH AND SMELL.

THE SPIRITUAL NATURE IS THE Eternal True Self of man and the conscience is his Eternal True Mind. Both the Spiritual Nature and Conscience are endowed as SPIRIT to man by HEAVEN. The Spirit, whose intent and purpose are free from ritual uncleanness, is the main source as well as the controller of all psychic activities. It is thus natural that it is the overall DOMINION of man’s material form.

To attune to what he is FUNDAMENTALLY INTENEED TO BE, man gradually acquires good habitual conduct. The more susceptible he is to Perfect Attitudes that signify an equally Perfect Approach to life, the more it is a sign that he is mutually penetrated by the DIVINE UNIVERSAL TRUTH, the endlessly effluent source of life which sets free in him a HARMONIOUS and RECEPTIVE form; realising eventually, that the ‘vitalizing breath’ that moves within his body as a ‘THREEFOLD ENTITY – SPIRIT, MIND and BODY’.

Confucius said: “Man is born for UPRIGHTNESS”.
YUNG YAY BK. VI CHAP. XVII

The Doctrine of the Mean: “When one cultivates to the utmost the PRINCIPLES OF HIS NATURE and EXERCISES them on the PRINCIPLE OF RECIPROCITY, he is not far from the path of TRUTH.”

Mencius said: “The feeling of commiseration is the PRINCIPLE OF BENEVOLENCE. The feeling of shame and dislike is the PRINCIPLE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. The feeling of deference and compliance is the PRINCIPLE OF PROPRIETY. The feeling of right and wrong is the PRINCIPLE OF WISDOM.”

“Men have these FOUR PRINCIPLES just as they have their four limbs. When men, having these FOUR PRINCIPLES, yet say of themselves that they cannot develop them, they play the thief with themselves.”

“Since all men have these FOUR PRINCIPLES in themselves, let them know to give them all their development and completion, and the issue will be like that of FIRE WHICH HAS BEGUN TO BURN, or that of a SPRING WHICH HAS BEGUN TO FIND VENT.”

What about the BRAIN, IS IT NOT THE MIND OF MEN?

Observing from the Material Point of View, the BRAIN which is a mass of whitish tissue and quite soft to the touch, is the most vital single organ in the whole of the human body. It controls everything that man does – movement, thoughts and memory.

The cerebral cortex in particular, controls the process of thinking and senses of man. Covering inside the cerebral cortex, is another even more abtruse layer which makes up the largest part of the brain called the cerebrum whose surface is deeply folded and wrinkled.The cerebrum is responsible for most of man’s skills. However, at the time of his birth as an infant the cerebrum is not yet developed and wherefrom has NO KNOWLEDGE whatsoever to recall about. But as he slowly grows up, it likewise, gradually progresses along with an increased intake of knowledge also.

FOR INSTANCE:

The reason why American Scientists, Albert Einstein (1879-1955) who discovered the Theory of Relativity in 1905 and Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) who is most famous for his development of the first commercially practical Incandescent Lamp in 1879, were able to absorb and retain much more knowledge is because the wrinkles on the surface of their cerebrum exceeded that of an ordinary person.

DEFINITION OF KNOWLEDGE

The cerebrum is meant to record and reproduce whatever instructional lessons man received from his environment – from his parents, friends and schools; or experiences around him into which he had come into contact. These several RECORDINGS by the brain are known as KNOWLDEGE. In brief, KNOWLEDGE means: the retaining and reproducing by the brain of all that man HAD read, learned, seen, heard, and encountered.

Example:
1. Today you are able to read and write the alphabet A, B, C…….. with ease, is because you had studied them before. What will happen if you had not learned them BEFORE? Can you identify and read them NOW? UNABLE TO, right!

2. If, at this moment you are in the level of a secondary education, you will find no problem in giving tuition to your younger brother and sister who are in the primary level. Agree? WHY?
Because you had gone through their educational stage and have therefore, full knowledge of their lessons!
On the other hand, can it be possible for you to guide your elder brother who is at the University level with his homework? IMPOSSIBLE? WHY?
Because you cannot expect your brain to OUTPUT KNOWLEDGE which you have not INPUT at all!

Those who have studied the subject on “CALCULUS” know well that numeric figures start off with ‘zero’ and end with ‘zero’ again.

Example:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Similarly while man is making an ascent towards the summit of his life – which begins from his cradle whereat his brain is certainly empty without knowledge till he reaches the age of three, and proceeding right to his fortieth years, his brain faithfully works in parallel with him. Once at the turning of the height he is given no choice but to take the downward ride. When he strikes the age of fifty, sixty…his physical power starts to desert him. This is ONE LOGICAL FACT whereby no one would wish to debate.

The decline of man’s body can be witnessed through the sign of: poor eyesight, hard of hearing, graying of hair, less energetic movements etc…… Here again his important organ- the brain plays faithfully with his weakness. His brain cells become less agile and this naturally affects the mechanism of his memory. Consequently he finds difficulty in remembering all the knowledge which he had acquired during his youth. In addition his response to new ideas also turns filmy; until finally when death to him do greet his brain as well as knowledge are buried and gone forever with his ashes. Thus can the brain which shares the same fate of impermanency with the physical body of man be considered an IDEAL ENTITY?

By utilising their knowledge scientists find no obstacle in comprehending their research on Science, Physics or Chemistry because these are corporal subjects. Contrastingly even with their high-degree knowledge, scientists still cannot benefit from the research they carry out on the “Law of Universal Truth”. Unlike material forms, this Spiritual Law of Nature is an immensely abstract thing, INFINITE and BOUNDLESS.

With merely his restricted knowledge to depend on to study the profound mystery of nature, man will undoubtedly only wind up with a “theory devoid of content”. If this be the case, then man will lose all confidence to research further. The actual fact is, TRUTH is not devoid of content; if this had been proven so man would have forsaken to continue the pursuit long, long ago.

How then can man research on Spiritual Truth?

Since the early history of sages, man has been constantly guided to look at the REAL PERSPECTIVE of life with his innate WISDOM – because Wisdom is an emission from the Essence of Mind and not from the exterior source.

WHAT IS WISDOM?

Wisdom is defined as “PERFECT RADIANCE” where
Perfect means: Naturally vacant from defects of any kind, yet possessing an influential force which directs every thought free from foolish desires and attachments at all times and in all places thus framing the MIND INDEPENDENTLY from internal and external objects. In short, it is the ability to transcend barriers of any form with the capability to act placidly and wisely on all occasions.
Radiance means: The purest flowing out of a deep, fine and loving nature in vastitudes; such that there is no given opportunity or excuse for shadowy invasion of the mind. Its glorious force pervades every dimensional realm, zealous only for the UNIVERSAL ZEAL of all vexatious beings.

Practically, intellective faculties are the common abilities of man which include his memory, observation, ideate, careful thoughts, judgement etc….for his appropriate adaptation to wisdom will value and concentrate upon the Essence of his Conscience because he clearly perceives that his physical body is but a temporal thing; besides, his Conscience is the NEAREST to Spiritual Truth. Thus living a life with an ALTRUISTIC PURPOSE will definitely lead him to Self-Realisation even under worldly conditions.

In the “CONFUCIAN ANALECTS”, Fan Che’, a disciple of Confucius asked about “WISDOM”.

Confucius said: It is to know the ESSENTIALITIES of man”.
and further emphasized: Manifest UPRIGHTEOUSNESS and vanquishes all crookedness; then those which are crooked, are made UPRIGHT.

FACTORS LEADING TO THE FROMATION OF A “WORLD-EGO”

Since Wisdom is equally inherent in mankind, why are there variances in characters among them? There is always a reason for every incident that happens, whether it be good or bad, within the universe. In the same manner, to attain ETERNITY and the SOLE RELIANCE of man is to live in accordance with his Holy Spirit. But sad to say, ever since his birth unto this material world, man created in himself another “egoistic mind” next to his inbred “Conscience” which is popularly known as the “UNCONSCIOUS MIND”. Projecting himself into deep conflicts by his lavish desires which revolve around clothes, foods, lodgings, actions; right into the obsessions of fame, gain, love, pleasures, status, wealth etc… insomuch that this erroneous life pattern of thinking, feeling, and doing, becomes more and more habitual. As a result a self-seeking, self-preserving “WORLD-ORIENTED EGO” is firmly established.

Living actively by means of a superficially conscious form is in actuality, an inherited record passed over by previous reincarnations; and the multiform of reincarnated seeds are produced by the accumulations of good and evil deeds of different degrees from every intricate incarnation. Moreover, with a non-stop rotation of birth and death from an early inhabitation on earth until this present life, man’s creative world-ego becomes increasingly apparent; and with an even more material-indulging mode of living, man at last, shapes himself into a MUNDANE BEING.

The lively Conscience of man that is Heavenly Bestowed, has since, according to many in general become known as the “Sub-conscious Mind” which when not under appropriate conditions will not reveal itself. In fact, it is the delusions of man which give little opportunity to manifest itself practically.

This sub-conscious is in reality, the original form of the Spiritual Conscience. Unfortunately, due to the fundamental misconception, innumerous dissociate it from the refinedly pure conscience which is AN ALL ENCOMPASSING PRINCIPLE THAT IS ABLE TO RESPOND CO-ORDINATINGLY WITH ALL THE MYRIADS OF THINGS due to its super-essential apprehension of their nature. Then subsequently, ignoring it altogether by paying full dependence upon the deluded Consciousness. Establishing at last the CAUSE for being a MUNDANE BEING ALWAYS!

To perceive the ESSENTIALITIES OF VEGETARIANISM in conjunction with MORALITIES, man must comprehend the insight characteristics of all the living beings such as plants, birds and beasts, human beings etc……within the universe. These living things are conditioned to produce and reproduce luxuriantly in a continuous chain by “SPIRITUAL FORCES”. Without these forces, universality of living forms would become extinct long ago.

Spiritual Forces adorn on plants, birds and beasts, and human beings as follows:

PLANTS:-
Only have “SPIRITUAL GROWTH” – to grow roots, sprouting, flowering and bear fruits but DO NOT experience the feelings of sufferings and pleasure. That is plants fulfill their destiny automatically.

Plants receive their nourishment through absorption of energy from the sun, moisture from the rain and fresh dew deposited from the air on cooling especially at night. This “life giving energy” is stored inside green plants, fruits, nuts, grains and vegetables.

BIRDS AND BEASTS: - POSSESS

“SPIRITUAL GROWTH” – have the knowledge to search for food to keep themselves alive, as well as the ability to make brisk movements like flying, jumping and moving freely about.

“SPIRITUAL SENSUALISM” – experience the feeling of joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure. Capable of avoiding danger when faced with it; and the ability to differentiate between gratitude and hatred.

HUMAN BEINGS:

Men are not only gifted with “SPIRITUAL GROWTH and SPRITIUAL SENSUALISM” but also “SPIRITUAL DIVINE”. With three spiritual excellences there is nothing which man would not know, nothing which he would not feel, and nothing which he would not overcome. With these natural abilities, it is no wonder man is of the Highest Consciousness. Outwardly, it is a code of perfect moralities – a determination of values of conduct, undertaking and achievements of not only the individual but globally as well in a sense we may say that man is born to be a “Hero of Indomitable Spirit”.

Though animals are of inferior intelligence yet they have feelings like humans. Needless to say, SLAUGHTERING them for food will cause them extreme sufferings, hatred as well as constant living fear. If man insists that they are meant for him to eat, then this formulation of thought must be immediately dissolved and washed clean because it will do him more injury than he did ever realise!

The SELFISH BASIS of not concerning the value of another’s life is a sure way of exposing the homicidal aggressions of the strong and ruthless. How can man nurture his inborn nature to an appreciable capacity when the PRINCIPALITY of his moral conduct, BENEVOLENCE of GREAT COMPASSIONATE LOVE is hampered and screened by his free oppression and exploitation of the weaker beings? It is the DIVINE LOVE which preserves all lives! Moreover, to deceitfully destroy life or indirectly to cause others to kill through the eating of meat will CAUSE an alarming EFFECT upon his spiritual nature. This is the Law of Human Conduct.

TSIN SIN PART 11 BK. VII
Mencius said: “BENEVOLENCE is the DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC of man. As embodied in man’s conduct, it is called the PATH OF TRUTH.”

KUNG-SUN CHOW PART 1 BK.11
Mencius said: “All men have a MIND which cannot bear TO SEE THE SUFFERINGS OF OTHERS.”

TSIN SIN PART 11 BK. VII:
Mencius said: “So is the superior man affected towards animals, that having seen them alive cannot bear to see them die; having heard their dying cries, he cannot bear to eat their flesh.”

TSIN SIN PART 1 BK. VII
Mencius said: “If a man can prevent the evil of hunger and thirst from being any evils to his MIND, then he need not have any sorrow about not being in the RIGHT PRINCIPLE as a man.”