Vegetarian

I have been practicing Tibetan Buddhism in the Gelug school for 35 years and have been a vegetarian for many years after studying the Vedic teachings for one main reason. I love animals and in my practice I seek the benefit of all sentient beings, but because of the path I have chosen, my diet, life, and conduct are guided by the three gunas.

The Gunas are three qualities or forces fundamental to nature (Prakriti) in Hindu philosophy (Yoga and Ayurveda), which influence all beings, mind and matter:Understanding and balancing the Gunas, focusing on mental purification, is essential for spiritual growth and well-being.

I try to avoid rajasic people and food as well, reason why I’m vegan in order to purify my mind, achieve the highest human potential and enlightenment.The three gunas are Sattva (purity, harmony, balance), Rajas (passion, activity, desire), and Tamas (inertia, ignorance, darkness) in Indian philosophy. These are fundamental qualities of nature that influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions, and one guna is often dominant at different times, shaping our experience. 

-Sattva: This is the guna of purity, knowledge, and harmony, associated with peace, balance, and light. It is considered the ideal state, free from fear and malice. Its energy drives towards enlightenment.

-Rajas: This guna represents activity, passion, and desire. It is driven by action, excitement, and the longing for satisfaction and is connected to feelings of attachment. Its energy leads towards involution.

-Tamas: This guna is associated with inertia, heaviness, laziness and ignorance. It is characterized by dullness, darkness, and a resistance to change, and can prevent one from seeing reality clearly. Its energy also leads towards involution.The three gunas were originally mentioned in ancient Indian philosophical texts, most notably within the Samkhya philosophy, and are also found in the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita. The concept of three gunas is central to the Samkhya system and is a foundational aspect of its philosophy.