Zen Buddhism s Relationship with Nature
... In the Zen man’s eyes, it is unimaginably worse. When Buddhism was founded, four unquestionable precepts were established. Zen takes all four very seriously, especially the first one: “I will not kill”. Contrarily to Theravada Buddhists, the Zen Buddhists took this by the word, and animals were no exception to the rule. To better comprehend Zen’s relationship with Nature, we must first understand the history of Zen, their love for beauty, and finally the requirements for their quest of satori or enlightenment. To begin, a quick introduction of Buddhism’s past. ... Theravada and Mahayana were the two divisions, and they both had different perceptions of the Buddha’s teachings. Within Mahayana found a sect named Zen was founded. According to the Mahayana’s sutras (the Lankravata, the Surangama, the Mahaparinirvana, and the Brahmajala), the consumption of flesh was strictly forbidden (Kapleau, 1817). These teachings contradicts Theravada’s, who believe that meat was allowed if it followed according to three respects told by the Buddha himself: the animal must have not been seen, heard or suspected to be killed for your meal. ... They believed that even to kill indirectly, by consuming flesh, would aid in the disruption of the oneness of the universe Throughout their whole history, they have struggled to hold onto their views of Nature, in order to keep Buddhism true. ... It would be the same as eating someone who shares your own nature.