Refrain from stealing 1

I have recently decided to become vegan, primarily based on my Buddhist practice. Some beliefs say 'do not steal', others, 'refrain from stealing' or 'do not take what is not freely given to you'. If you explore this principle, you hit on the notion that animals have NOT freely given us their products - and you then need to either change your diet or change your belief.

The cows, hens, and bees, etc did NOT come up to humans and willingly make us a donation of their products, did they? It is as if we STOLE from them, without asking or even CARING, and that doesn’t sit right with me. Once you get into the principle deep enough and look at things from THEIR side - it appears wrong to continue to take from them.

I look at my own kind - humans - and I see a bunch of people who - mostly - don't see what they are doing. Blindly doing what everybody else does, ignorantly, uncaring. Some care; mostly indigenous cultures. Some of my own kind bless or pray for the spirit of the animal giving or dying for their belly's sake - but most of us do not even see this factor as we visit the grocery store and grab whatever we want, thoughtlessly.

I care enough to limit my own pleasure and diet in order to STOP this cruelty. I have to live with my karma and heart, and I do not want murder, theft, or causing distress, anger and misery to be lodged on either my karmic score or in my heart's feelings. Recognizing how inconsiderate we are being to other creatures is enough to make me want to stop my own participation. Considering the harmful karma that could arise from continuing to steal is enough to make me stop personally participating.