Is vegetarianism violent?

I don't believe eating plants instead of animals is a lesser evil. The reason for this is that I believe that it is possible to live without any evil actions which as I understand it is a product of the enlightened condition.

I don't think that we live in an existence where we must commit evil simply because we want to live. The way creation is made seems to show that everything eats something else that was once alive, whether it be plant or animal, you need the life force of something to continue living.

Whatever, or whoever is responsible for creation must be in favor of good actions, and to create something where a person must victimize a plant or animal and be 'violent' would not make any sense unless we come to the realization that it is not violent, but a function of a system that is larger, and greater than any of our beliefs, a creation where everything functions as it does for a reason.

I believe a person can live a completely peaceful existence and to say that we must commit evil or be violent actions simply to live to me seems to be a misguided belief. Thinking thoughts of appreciation and gently uprooting it do not cancel the fact that you have ended its existence, so I feel that consuming another life is not bad, but instead a sign that we should rethink the stance, if we have taken it, that it is wrong to eat meat, or a lesser evil to eat plants.

I think it's very positive to be a caring person, and to not wish harm for any creature, and also, lessening meat consumption is healthy for the body. The digestive system is very long, and meat rots on the way down, and what we eat eventually becomes our body, so eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, milk or milk products is very good for the body. However it is good to be a balanced individual and not be fanatical about your diet, a limited amount of meat consumption will keep the body strong; 'balance in all things.'

In addition to these points I would like to say that a person who is a vegetarian, or thinking of becoming one should be on the lookout for becoming unhealthily thin, or loss of energy. Over time the immune system can weaken if you have not received the proper nutrition and disease can result. Remember that the Buddha said, 'You as much as anyone deserve your compassion.' We humans having the moral capacity can do much good, but if we deprive ourselves of the proper nutrition we risk limiting our ability to function properly, and even to die and that wouldn't be very good for ourselves or those we could have helped. Remember that service to fellow man has been emphasized by Jesus, 'The greatest in my Father's kingdom is he who serves his fellow man.'