A Zen master spoke in 10th century, thus:
From this book: Buddhist Scriptures
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><span style='font-size:10pt;line-height:100%'><b>What great need to destroy lives in quest of rich and exotic flavors? Can you gorge yourselves from cup and tray to the music of reed pipe and song, as butchered animals scream on the chopping block? Alas! Could anyone with a human heart be so insensitive as this?</b> That the whole world engages in this without realizing its error, surely this is an example of something so painful that one weeps endlessly with grief?
<b>When you know that the creatures on your tray come, struggling and squealing, from the chopping block, then you make their extreme anguish just a slight delight of tastebuds for yourself?</b> You would never be able to get them down, even if you tried to eat them. Is it not the height of insensitivity?</span>
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><span style='font-size:10pt;line-height:100%'><b>To make one's living by taking life is something that in principle is condemned by the Gods...There is no more certain means than this when it comes to planting the seeds for rebirth in the hells and evil retribution in lives to come. How could you face such pain and not seek a different livelihood?
I pray that all will refrain from taking life, and that household after household will observe vegetarian fasts. All the Buddhas will be filled with joy, and the myriad gods and spirits will extend their protection to you. </b>Armed conflict will for ever cease; punishments may never need be applied; the hells will be emptied; and people will for ever depart from the causes that produce the ocean of miseries. </span>
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From this book: Buddhist Scriptures
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><span style='font-size:10pt;line-height:100%'><b>What great need to destroy lives in quest of rich and exotic flavors? Can you gorge yourselves from cup and tray to the music of reed pipe and song, as butchered animals scream on the chopping block? Alas! Could anyone with a human heart be so insensitive as this?</b> That the whole world engages in this without realizing its error, surely this is an example of something so painful that one weeps endlessly with grief?
<b>When you know that the creatures on your tray come, struggling and squealing, from the chopping block, then you make their extreme anguish just a slight delight of tastebuds for yourself?</b> You would never be able to get them down, even if you tried to eat them. Is it not the height of insensitivity?</span>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><span style='font-size:10pt;line-height:100%'><b>To make one's living by taking life is something that in principle is condemned by the Gods...There is no more certain means than this when it comes to planting the seeds for rebirth in the hells and evil retribution in lives to come. How could you face such pain and not seek a different livelihood?
I pray that all will refrain from taking life, and that household after household will observe vegetarian fasts. All the Buddhas will be filled with joy, and the myriad gods and spirits will extend their protection to you. </b>Armed conflict will for ever cease; punishments may never need be applied; the hells will be emptied; and people will for ever depart from the causes that produce the ocean of miseries. </span>
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