Buddhism and leather/suede products...

[Zhen's Tiger]

Please excuse my ignorance, and I don't want to ask my wife as it'll tip her off to my Christmas gift ideas... Does anyone know how Buddhists feel about Leather/Suede? Is it against their religious beliefs? I certainly do not want to offend! I've seen her wear what I would call Pleather... but nothing that I could swear was leather by the smell. Thanks in advance for any input!

 

Steve

[dnoblett]

Clothing:

Many Buddhists would prefer to wear clothing which reflects their adherence to non-harm eg not wearing leather clothing and leather shoes.

http://lubswww.leeds.ac.uk/lubs/fileadmin/equality/acas.doc

[jbray]

I think it depends on how strict she is. In China, I think many would say that they are buddhist, like many in America say they are Christians (it's more of a cultureal thing)... Buddhists are supposed to be vegetarians, but I never met a vegetarian in China. They actually think that vegetarians are "sissy's". I saw leather products all over China. When I was in Tibet, I was invited by some monks to have dinner with them. THey cooked me some really good Yak Jiaodzhi. I can't remember if they ate it or not though, but they gave it to me...

 

So, to get to the point, I really don't think it would offend. Is she a vegetarian? If so, then it might, but otherwise, I am sure it's fine.

[BillV 8-16-2004]

I think it depends on how strict she is. In China, I think many would say that they are buddhist, like many in America say they are Christians (it's more of a cultureal thing)... Buddhists are supposed to be vegetarians, but I never met a vegetarian in China. They actually think that vegetarians are "sissy's". I saw leather products all over China. When I was in Tibet, I was invited by some monks to have dinner with them. THey cooked me some really good Yak Jiaodzhi. I can't remember if they ate it or not though, but they gave it to me...

 

So, to get to the point, I really don't think it would offend. Is she a vegetarian? If so, then it might, but otherwise, I am sure it's fine.

 

My wife is a Buddhist she wears leather, shoes, and carries a purse, eats meat and fish but does not eat beef, and when we attend a Buddhist Temple we eat vegetarian meals there. I agree with jbray it depends on how strict she is, unless you are a priest, monk or nun then you take vows, which they adhere to.

Edited October 27, 2006 by BillV 8-16-2004 (see edit history)

[izus]

i think these are the boots the strict Buddhists like to wear on special occasions.

 

sometimes they replace a mop with a whip

 

 

 

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000A3XFW2.01-AR373XMRX7VJ1._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[david_dawei]

I would agree on it depends...

 

Particularly, how much buddha is in the buddhist... or as the zen saying goes, "If you meet the Buddha, kill him"...

 

Hopefully that clears it up..

[RLS]

i think these are the boots the strict Buddhists like to wear on special occasions.

 

sometimes they replace a mop with a whip

 

 

 

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000A3XFW2.01-AR373XMRX7VJ1._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

 

I would agree that these boots are made for walking.

[BillV 8-16-2004]

i think these are the boots the strict Buddhists like to wear on special occasions.

 

sometimes they replace a mop with a whip

 

 

 

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000A3XFW2.01-AR373XMRX7VJ1._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

 

Yao Ming is probably the tallest or at least the most well known Buddhist today. Bill I thought I would mention that since I saw your a NBA fan, I agree great seats.

Edited October 28, 2006 by BillV 8-16-2004 (see edit history)

[Dan R]

While Buddhists in some countries take doing no harm to any animal as requiring vegetarianism and to an extreme avoiding animal products, this is not usually followed in China. Chinese are a practical people beyond all else. Even if she were a nun keeping vegetarian she might have a Tibetan Buddhist painting done on leather as a canvas. Yes this is a Tibetan custom. It would be worse to waste the skin of an animal that had died than not use the skin. Vegetarianism for most devot Chinese Buddhists is limited to the 15th of the month.Some will add the first.

 

Like all religion how it is applied is an individual thing. Better to discuss with the person you are concerned about.

 

An interesting thing in the U.S. is that there is allowed Buddhist slaughter exemption even though slaughtering an animal violates Buddhism. Chinese sell and cook slaughtered birds with the feet and heads attached. This violates U.S. federal law requiring full inspection of birds for wholesomeness. Leaving the head and feet attached is a cultural requirement. Culture is not an acceptable reason under the law for violating full inspection for disease. Religous requirement is. So a Buddhist standard was developed for the exemption. In order to leave the head and feet on, a Buddhist Priest must write a letter requesting the procedure. I had this done. The Priest was very puzzled and amuzed over this.

 

Chickens and ducks with feet attached must have been slaughtered under either a Kosher, Halal or Buddhist religious exemption in the U.S..

[SirLancelot]

 

Chickens and ducks with feet attached must have been slaughtered under either a Kosher, Halal or Buddhist religious exemption in the U.S..

 

You learn something new everyday. I just used up my quota for today. Thanks for the tidbit of entertaining trivial Dan.