PHYSICAL WELLBEING
Many studies have shown that meat consumption poses threat to our health. Consumption of high amount of red and processed meat over a long period of time increases the risk of colon cancer according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of American Medical Association in 2003. In addition to colon cancer, breast cancer is another form of cancer that drew researchers’ interest. A research published by Harvard University in November 2006 had also confirmed the link between breast cancer and red meat consumption. For women in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, the more red meat they consume, the greater the risk was in developing breast cancer in the next 12 years. Older women were not spared. Another study published in British Journal of Cancer in April 2007 had also found the correlation between breast cancer and consumption of red and processed meat. The link was stronger among older women. Those who ate the most red meat (two or more ounces per day) had a 56% increase in their risk of breast cancer.
It was long acknowledged that meat consumption posed a great risk to health. In addition to cancer, meat consumption is also associated with cardiovascular diseases. A combined data of five studies in the US and Europe published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1999 had clearly indicated the benefit of vegetarianism. It was titled, ”Mortality in vegetarians and non-vegetarians.” The mortality rate from coronary heart disease was 24 % lower in vegetarians than in non-vegetarians. In the same issue, there was another research, titled “Association between diet and cancer, ischemic heart disease, and all-cause mortality in non-Hispanic while California Seventh-day Adventists.” It indicated that cancer of the colon and prostate was more likely to occur in non-vegetarians and frequent meat consumers also had higher bladder cancer. More data suggested that vegetarian of Seventh-day Adventists had lower risk of hypertension, arthritis and diabetes. Moreover, they found that intake of legumes was reversely associated with risk of colon cancer while more fruits consumption was associated with lower risk of lung, prostate and pancreatic cancer.
These were just a few of the published research that confirmed the association of physical illness with meat consumption.
As research data turned against meat consumption, many people embraced sea foods. Is sea food really safe? Rivers and oceans were polluted to a some extent by industrial wastes. Among them, mercury was the main concern. Companies manufacturing omega-3 fish oil often claimed that their products were free of mercury. While mercury remained in the spot light, concerns of other toxins arose. The study in the January issue of Science in 2004 was conducted on 700 salmon samples from different cities around the world. The toxins looked for were PCP (polychlorinated biphenyls), dioxin, toxaphene and dieldrin. All these environmental toxins were suspected to cause cancer in people. The results indicated farmed salmon contained more toxins. The recommendation was made to limit farmed salmon consumption to no more than once a month. Up to eight meals of wild salmon per month was acceptable according to the study. This suggested that wild salmon contained environmental toxins as well. Why did farmed salmon contain toxins in such high concentration? Farmed salmon were fed with fish pellets. Fish pellets were made from the bone, skin, guts and unwanted fish not suitable for human consumption. Environmental toxins were mainly stored in the fatty tissue under the skin. One meal of fish pellets for the farmed salmon contained dried and compressed body parts and toxins from several whole fish. It was not surprising that by the time farmed salmon was served on the table, it contained high concentrations of toxins from all the pellets it had consumed in its entire life. Salmon farmers also failed to inform the consumers of the artificial color, canthaxanthine, derived from petrochemicals and used to make the fish red. The company that makes the dye has a sort of paint wheel of different shades of pink to help salmon farmers create the color of salmon their customer desire. High level of the dye may cause retinal damage. This dye is also used in poultry industry. Vegetarians are not left out when it comes to the need to support cardiovascular health with omega-3 fish oil. Omega-3 oil occurs naturally in flaxseeds. Taking flaxseeds meals rather than omega-3 fish oil provides extra benefits from the fibers for better digestive health without risking the danger of possible environmental toxins in fish oil.
Is salmon the only fish containing considerable amounts of environmental toxins? I have a high reasonable doubt. Many fish farms put large amounts of chemicals into the water as a prevention from parasite infestation in the economic, over crowded living condition.
If meat and fish are not safe for consumers, how is poultry? Is poultry a safe source of animal protein? How about other animal protein sources? Are they safe? In the January issue of Consumer Reports in 2005, there was an article titled, “Chicken; Arsenic and Antibiotics”. Antibiotics are widely used in all farmed animals. They are mixed in the animal feed to increase feed efficiency and to prevent spread of infections. Life time use of these chemicals leaves residues in their flesh which is then consumed by people.
The horror does not stop here. In the United States, all the animal wastes are recycled by rendering plants. Expired packets of meats, poultry and sea foods from supermarkets (along with Styrofoam), euthanized cats and dogs in animal shelters, road kills (cats, dogs, …etc), slaughter house scraps (skins, guts, etc.) and all dead pets/animals taken by the animal control team are all sent to rendering plants. They are put in a large pot, cooked, ground and dried to make animal feed. Even though there is a restriction in
feeding ruminants (cows, cattle, ..etc) with ruminants to avoid transmission of prions of mad cow disease, the feed made from ruminants (cattle’s bone and flesh) is still allowed to feed chicken, pigs, and other farm animals. This opens a door to possible transgenic infection and spreading of mad cow disease from cattle to other farm animals. Let’s put aside the ethic concern of feeding farm animals their fellow animal’s flesh. The health impact on human who consume meat from animals fed with dead animals is truly worrisome. This is a horrendous practice. The ultimate victims are humans.
The old saying, “we are what we eat.” is no longer true. We are what “they” eat.
MENTAL WELLBEING
Chinese saint, Mencius, once said, “A virtuous man stays away from the kitchen.” “Seeing it alive, I could not bear to see it die.” and “Hearing its screaming and crying while being slaughtered, I could not bear to eat its meat.” Animals have nervous system like that of human’s. They feel the pain we inflict upon them. They have emotions. They feel the horror of being slaughtered. They can sense danger. We were born with a great gift, the compassionate heart. We need to remind ourselves of this best quality that resides in us. If we follow it on everything we do, it will reward us with endless joy and a peaceful mind. Choosing to be a vegetarian is one of the manifestations of this great gift our Heavenly Mother (God) conferred upon us.
We would not want to have a part in it when it comes to killing animals. Neither do we want to contribute to the suffering while they are being raised for food. Animals have a strong bonding with each other in their family like human beings. Hens are always protective of her chicks. She took them around looking for foods. They stay together until the chicks grow up. They are a family like ours until farmers replaced the traditional way of raising them. The bonding between hens and their chicks is forced broken by factory farmers. Young chicks are hatched in a factory and they may never meet their mother. In factory farming, egg laying hens are raised in small wire cages stacking in tiers and lined up in rows in huge warehouse. Hens are commonly packed four in a cage measuring 16 inches wide. They can not stretch their wings and legs. Constantly rubbing against wire edges, they suffer from feather loss and their bodies are covered with bruises and abrasions. They never see sun light in their entire life.
Pigs are intelligent and social. One or two days before a sow gives birth to its piglets, she would seek a site for self isolation and bring materials like straws to prepare for her nest. Once the piglets are born, the sow and her piglets form very strong bonds. The sow would wait for several days before leading her piglets out to meet and interact with the rest of the herd. This natural pattern of nest seeking, nest building and a nursing period of 13 to 17 weeks are completely destroyed in factory farming. Sows are raised on concrete or steel floors and are locked up in small crates. Some are so narrow that it requires strenuous efforts for the sow to simply standing up and lying down. Some sows are even tied up to a chain or strap around the body or the neck. They live their entire life in constant distress. Agriculture scientists note the behavior of confined sows similar to that of chronic psychosis in humans.
These are just couple examples how farm animals are treated. They are imprisoned in small confinements. They are emotionally abused by early separation from their family and the way they are treated in the factory. Humans would not be able to justify our meat consumption at the expense of their welfare. How would we feel if we were confined for no other reason but to be raised and slaughtered? Anyone with a heart would be touched by the tragedies of farm animals’ life. Thinking of the sufferings of these animals, anyone with conscience would not want to touch the dish. Practice of vegetarianism strengthens our compassions. To sleep peacefully at night with no regrets, no guilt we must stay away from meats. Practicing vegetarianism is just a start. To promote vegetarianism shall be our lifetime endeavor.
Vegetarianism benefits our health. It also contributes to the inner peace in our mind knowing that we made the right choice for life.
SPIRITUAL WELL BEING
As I look back on my life journey, I feel blessed that I have found Tao. It has blessed me ever since. I was enlightened when Tao was transmitted to me. At that moment, thoughts were cleared out of my mind and my Buddha nature was uncovered.
Not until I received Tao did I understand more about the universe. There is a creator. It is the mystical energy that gives birth to, and nourishes all living things. All animals have two constituent elements, the physical flesh and the soul (spiritual component). The physical body from biological parents will perish some day. The spiritual element our Heavenly Mother (God) bestowed upon us is eternal. The spiritual aspect of humans and animals is the same. It is the differences in the superficial physical forms that set one apart from the other. All animals belonging to a family in this universe are closely connected to each other. We are all God’s children sharing this earthly world. Respects and love toward each other are essential for the balance and harmony. Although meat consumption is not considered sinful in our social standards, it is comparable to killing. It is unjust and cruel. This is an act our perfect souls would never agree. It shatters the harmony of the universe. It leaves many souls in sorrow, hatred, and pain. This created a negative karma between meat eaters and the animals sacrificed. The negative energy can interfere with those who brought sufferings on the animals. As a result, the wellbeing of meat consumers can be challenged or compromised if not jeopardized. This is a good reason to be a vegetarian. Since the most important element in us is the spiritual component, it is imperative that we nurture it. Practicing vegetarianism is truly a great way to nourish our soul for spiritual growth.
Being a member of Tao (I-Kuan Tao), I am truly blessed. It is common that Tao members become vegetarians. Many of us have taken a solemn vow of Mouth Purification. There are two meanings. We abstain from meat as well as hurtful words to others. In Tao environment, no one is alone. We work together hand in hand toward our goal to achieve the highest personal and spiritual growth.
CONCLUSION
From the physical, mental and the spiritual point of view, vegetarianism is the only way of healthy eating.
李峰嘉，F. Lee Peng .
Lecturer, Tien Shin Temple, B.G.J.D. USA
Lecturer, Tien Shin Temple. Alhambra, California, USA. Private Practice in Dentistry. Research Assistant, Purdue University. Resident in Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital. Purification and amino acid sequencing of transaminase B in E. Coli
美國 USA
F.LeePeng@gmail.com
