Whether it is still okay to eat meat depends on different situations and should be treated separately without making generalizations.
The trend of vegetarianism has existed since ancient times. It was already very popular before Buddhism was introduced to China. The vegetarian diet in ancient times was not due to the backward economy at that time. There was no meat to eat, so we had to eat vegetables. But at that time, the dietary concept of "nourishing, helping, benefiting and replenishing" had emerged, advocating "five grains as nourishment and five fruits as help". This is recorded in detail in the earliest medical classic "Huangdi Neijing". But the main reason is still the influence of Lao and Zhuang’s philosophy of quietness and inaction. A large number of reclusive literati advocated nature and believed that eating meat makes people's Qi turbid, while eating vegetarian food makes people clear their Qi. Pursue clean energy and strongly adhere to the principle of vegetarianism.
Being vegetarian is a good thing. But later on, he became obsessed with it. It can be seen that everything should not be excessive. "Hanshu" records such an incident: There was a man named Zhou Ze who ate vegetarian meals and became malnourished and sick. His wife blamed him and asked why he tortured himself like this. When Zhou Ze heard this, he became furious. Immediately, he sent his wife to jail for "violating the fast". "Breaking the fast" was not a minor crime at that time. It was probably similar to "seriously disrupting social order" now. As for those who are "reckless in fasting", they will be beheaded. What exactly is the crime of "being careless during fasting"? Without detailed research, you will definitely not be able to guess. It was actually quite funny, but I just accidentally farted while eating vegetarian food. No one would have expected to be beheaded for farting.
The fine tradition of vegetarianism was later snatched away by Buddhism introduced from abroad.
It turns out that monks can eat meat. The Buddhist scripture "Guangben of Precepts" makes it very clear: Buddhism has no requirements for vegetarianism. What Buddhism prohibits is "meat". This meat is not our current concept, it refers to animal foods such as chicken, duck, and fish. The meat we are talking about now is called "Xingxing" in Buddhism, not "Meat". In the Buddhist scriptures, the word meat is not pronounced as hun, but rather as xun, which means smoked and refers to vegetables with a smoky smell. "Meat is the smell of vegetables." "The Brahma Net Sutra" is more specific: "If a Buddhist is not allowed to eat the five pungents. Garlic, onions, green onions, orchid onions, and Xingqu are the five pungents." Meat is these five vegetables. The word "鍤" starts from the head of grass instead of from the side of meat, which shows that the original meaning of "鍤" is a plant rather than an animal. As for why "鍤" changed from a plant to an animal, I can't explain it in a few words. I will introduce it separately later. Buddhism believes that eating meat dissipates popularity, damages sincerity, and makes it difficult to communicate with gods, so it is strictly prohibited. Twice, I went to the temple to eat vegetarian food and saw onions and garlic in the dishes. It can be seen that the monks in the temple have not yet read the Buddhist scriptures thoroughly. So much food is wasted.
Whether monks can eat meat is based on different situations and should be treated individually without making generalizations. Buddhism is divided into Mahayana and Hinayana. Mahayana is about saving people with one heart and using self-salvation as the means to save others, so you cannot eat any meat. Hinayana seeks to save oneself rather than save others, and is allowed to eat three kinds of "pure meat" (the "three pure meats" are: "one is killed without my eyes seeing it; two is killed for me without hearing it; three is killed for me without any suspicion"). "). For "sick monks", that is, sick monks, a humanitarian policy is implemented, special care is given, and any meat can be eaten. Today, foreign monks in countries such as India and Sri Lanka, as well as monks from Mongolian, Tibetan, Dai and other ethnic minorities in China, are allowed to eat meat.
In the early stages of Buddhism being introduced into China, it was too late to form Chinese characteristics. So at that time, monks could still eat meat. Monks were not allowed to eat meat. It was more than 1,400 years ago that Xiao Yan, Emperor Wu of Liang Dynasty in the Southern Dynasty, first proposed.
In Chinese history, Xiao Yan can be regarded as the most lovable emperor. He is a devout believer in Buddhism and calls himself the "Three Treasures Slave". I almost went crazy thinking about becoming a monk. He actually left his post without permission four times and ran to Tongtai Temple, where he gave up his body and became a monk. An emperor voluntarily gave up all legal rights and interests, even his body, and became the temple property of Tongtai Temple. Of course, he would no longer interfere with the affairs of the court. However, at that time, there was no deputy emperor who could act on behalf of the emperor in accordance with the law when the emperor was unable to perform his duties. At that time, it was not popular to temporarily appoint acting cadres. No one could become emperor until Xiao Yan died. "A country cannot live without a king for a day." Things are simply troublesome. The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty held countless conferences and meetings and conducted emergency consultations. After much discussion and research, the only way was to redeem the emperor. So he immediately withdrew cash from the treasury and approached Tongtai Temple to discuss the purchase. Tongtai Temple is profitable, so of course it will cooperate. Finally, in accordance with the principles of market economy, Xiao Yan was acquired through equal exchange. Immediately restore his personal sovereignty and allow him to continue in his leadership role. Xiao Yan resolutely sacrificed himself, but his level was too high and he couldn't help himself. It only benefits Dong Thai Temple and generates revenue again and again. If someone other than Xiao Yan, who was infinitely loyal to the cause of Buddhism, had done this, it would only be considered to be for kickbacks.
Xiao Yan never let go of the scroll. He knew the Mahaparinirvana Sutra by heart. The scriptures stipulate: "Abstain from killing living things." Xiao Yan thought, if we just control the killing of living things, we will definitely not be able to control them completely, but we still have to focus on the fundamentals. Learn how to use it, and simply stop eating meat! If you can’t eat meat, what’s the use of killing animals? Once you decide, take action immediately. Urgent message: Subjects advocate vegetarianism. Monks are not allowed to eat meat. The ancestors of the gods of heaven and earth enjoy the treatment of monks. What is the treatment of a monk? That is to say, the offerings to the gods and ancestors of heaven and earth are no longer allowed to use pig heads, and they are all replaced with pig heads and pork made of flour. When Chrysostom opens his mouth, he calls out a hundred promises. For a time, vegetarians "had lost half of their household registrations in the world."
It can be seen that monks are not allowed to eat meat, which is completely a rule evolved by Xiao Yan from the point of view of "no killing"