If we did not eat meat, no one would kill, no one would raise cattle. All the food would stay where it was and they could eat it and become healthy and strong. It'd be good for every nation, and it'd be good for our nation as well. We waste a lot of money on arms and on raising animals. All the arable land is wasted nowadays on raising cattle, pigs and the like, or most of it. So if we used these areas to cultivate wholesome, healthy food, I think the nations would benefit more and our nation would have more peace and no need for armed defense. If every nation lived according to the Bible, according to the Buddhist teachings, Thou shall not kill, Thou shall not steal, et cetera, then the world would have no more need for peace conferences, and would not need to waste so much coffee, champagne and cake at round table discussions that go nowhere. The more we talk about peace, the more war we have. It is because we go about it in an inconsistent manner. If everyone practiced meditation and ate a wholesome diet without any killing involved, the world would have long since been in a peaceful state and we'd have no hunger. There's no need to give away your property; just give up the meat-based diet. That'd be enough to save the world, as well as your own and the nation's health.

Meat is the cause of all wars and suffering in this world, as well as that of your personal self. To refrain from eating meat is to contribute to peace on this planet, because in this way we terminate the cause of killing. Therefore, we will not reap the results of being killed, or being wounded.

We can save our world, instead of killing others for our own survival. We should rebuild our way of life, live a moral life, be a vegetarian, cultivate ourselves mentally and physically, and there will be immediate results. Our world will be changed at once! If everybody is planting trees instead of cutting them down, then we would be saved soon. Within ten years, the world would never be the same, without any problem. Truly there is hope, but only with the co-operation of everyone.

If our planet people are being vegetarian, the way environmentalists suggest and it's justly so, and that the scientists find the way to grow more abundantly the crops for us, then I think we can "sing", no problem, we can sit pretty.

Suppose the whole nation becomes vegetarian. Because of the gentle atmosphere, due to no killing karma, naturally, there would be no disasters, and life would be comfortable and healthy, the country would be rich and strong. Being physically healthy, our mental would also be full of energy. Many wise ideas would emerge benefiting the country and the people. If this is the case with all countries, the world would be peaceful. There is virtually no need for all the conferences that consume so much champagne and steak, without rendering much peace to the world. Perhaps, there is peace today, but not tomorrow. Peace is restored here, but war breaks out in another country the next day. Therefore, the world is not to be managed by empty talks. Instead, each person should put into practice the lessons they have learnt.

Until now, Singapore is the only government I know that advocates vegetarianism to her people. Of course, it is rare to find such a government that treats a problem from the root and not the fruit. Perhaps there are other governments advocating the same, but I am not aware. Singapore seems to be the only government being so clever to care about the ethics and health of her people. I hope other governments will follow their example.

I am sure most of the politicians know about the statistics from the books researching the gains and losses of a meat diet versus a vegetarian diet. They have more opportunities to read these books. They are wealthy, and they have people to inform them, submitting the material to them. They should know better than us. They are obliged to manage the country and work for the people, they should know about these facts. It is so simple, just encourage the people to be vegetarians, and they themselves should also change to a vegetarian diet. The world will soon be saved this way, not to mention going to heaven through spiritual practice, and the incurred merits!

If the vegetarian diet can save the world, then everyone just sacrifices a little. The political and religious figures have great influence and authority over the people. They are free to use any means. They have television, radio and everything. They can talk about anything at any time. They should talk about good things, propagating a vegetarian diet, and environmental protection. This is the right thing to do for ourselves and our next generation. Is that right? It is very convenient for the major political and religious groups to do so.

Also see: Vegetarianism