ถ้าสัตว์นั้นตายไปแล้ว การกินเนื้อไม่ถือว่าบาป เพราะเราไม่ได้เป็นผู้ฆ่า แต่ถ้าเราไปชี้เลือกสัตว์ที่ยังมีชีวิตอยู่ให้คนอื่นฆ่าเพื่อเรากิน อย่างนี้ถือว่าบาป เพราะเราเป็นเหตุแห่งการฆ่า ไม่ว่าจะเป็นสัตว์เล็กหรือสัตว์ใหญ่ก็ใช้หลักเดียวกัน พระอาจารย์อธิบายว่าเจตนาคือสิ่งสำคัญที่สุด แต่ก็เตือนว่าความเพลิดเพลินในรสเนื้อสัตว์เองก็เป็นเครื่องล่อที่ทำให้กิเลสตัณหาเติบโตขึ้นเรื่อยๆIf the animal has already died, eating its meat is not sinful, because we did not kill it. But if we point out a live animal and have someone else kill it for us to eat, that is sinful, because we become the cause of the killing — the same principle applies whether the animal is small or large. Phra Ajarn explains that intention matters most, but warns that pleasure in the taste of meat is itself a lure that lets craving grow stronger over time.
Eating an Animal That Has Already Died Is Not Sinful
If the animal has already died, eating its meat is not sinful, because we did not kill it. Simply that — we did not kill it.
Pointing It Out to Be Killed Is What Makes It Sinful
But if we go to where shrimp are kept on display in a tank at the front of a restaurant, and point clearly at one, saying “this one, this one, take it and kill it for me to eat,” that is considered sinful.
The same applies to eating beef. Whether the animal is small or large, the same principle holds. If it has already died, there is no problem. But if it has not yet died, and we wait there pointing it out for someone else to handle for us, we become the cause of the killing — and that is sinful.
The Karmic Result A Cycle of Repayment
That sin remains, and when the time comes, the same thing happens to us in return: we are born as that very animal. We pointed at the shrimp; when we die we are born as a shrimp, and someone else comes and points at us in turn. This repeats again and again until the force of that sin gradually weakens, and only then are we released from that — reborn human, to finish repaying the debt. That is roughly how it goes.
Intention Matters Most, But Do Not Overlook What Lies Behind It
If the animal has already died, there is no problem at all, because there is no unwholesome mind — no intention to kill. This is the important point.
But what lies behind it is still something to be careful of: unwholesome states can creep in and make us take delight in sensual pleasures that act as a lure, giving rise to the defilement of craving, which then grows stronger and stronger over time. That is a separate matter altogether.