Abstinence from Flesh
Avisorin Thaayiram Vettalin Ondran / Uyirsekuth Thunnaamai Nandru
Classical English couplet — “Than thousand rich oblations, with libations rare,Better the flesh of slaughtered beings not to share”
What it says in plain words
“Not killing an animal for food is better than a thousand religious ceremonies that pour butter into fire.”
The classical Tamil reading
நெய் முதலியப் பொருள்களைத் தீயில் சொரிந்து ஆயிரம் வேள்விகள் செய்தலை விட ஒன்றன் உயிரைக்கொன்று உடம்பைத் தின்னாதிருத்தல் நல்லது.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
நெய் போன்ற பொருள்களைத் தீயிலிட்டு ஆயிரம் வேள்விகளை நடத்துவதைவிட உண்பதற்காக ஓர் உயிரைப் போக்காமலிருப்பது நல்லது
The ethical and philosophical heart
The couplet compares religious ceremonies with sparing an animal's life. It places sparing life before ceremony, even a thousand ceremonies. This brings the teaching into daily choices about food. Choosing meals without meat puts care for animal life into practice.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You choose a bean dish instead of meat for dinner.
- Workplace
- You arrange a team lunch with meals made without meat.
- Family
- You cook a vegetable meal for a family celebration.
- Society
- A community group serves meals without meat at its yearly gathering.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Consider animal life when choosing what to eat.
- Integrity
- Match your care for animals with your food choices.
- Communication
- Explain your choice to avoid meat without judging others.
- Leadership
- Offer meals without meat when bringing people together.
- Governance
- Include meals without meat when planning food for public events.
For leaders and teams
Show care through everyday choices, not only through special ceremonies. Start with the food you serve when bringing people together.
Something to sit with
“How could your next meal reflect care for animal life?”