Compassion on the Plate

Compassion on the Plate: Why I Chose the Vegan Path

Choosing a vegan lifestyle is often a deeply personal journey, yet it is one that we are frequently called upon to explain at dinner tables and social gatherings. When friends or colleagues ask why I eat the way I do, I find myself navigating a very sensitive landscape.

If I answer honestly and say, "I do not want to cause suffering to animals," some people feel as though I am judging their choices. To avoid this discomfort, I often shift my explanation to environmental reasons—pointing out how the livestock industry contributes significantly to greenhouse gases and global warming. If that still feels too heavy, I might simply say it is for my personal health.

While all three reasons are true, the core of my choice is rooted in compassion. In the eyes of the Buddha, all life is equal. Whether an animal is highly intelligent or not, it shares the same fundamental fear of death and the same desire for safety as we do. For those of us trying to follow the path of a Bodhisattva—a commitment to help all sentient beings—it feels contradictory to contribute to their harm for the sake of a meal.

People often point out that the Buddha did not explicitly forbid drinking milk. However, our world has changed drastically since those ancient times. Modern dairy farming is an industrial process where cows are often confined to cramped spaces, and male calves are slaughtered so their mother’s milk can be sold to humans. The egg industry involves similar suffering for hens. Based on the spirit of the Dhamma, if an action causes systematic pain for others, we should not support it for commercial gain or personal appetite.

The most difficult part to explain to my Western friends is why I also avoid onions, garlic, and other pungent vegetables. These ingredients are staples in Western vegan cooking, yet I ask for them to be removed from my meals. While it may draw strange looks, there is a practical reason: these foods have a direct impact on our physical and mental state, often making it harder to achieve a deep, calm state during meditation. When people find this hard to understand, I sometimes simply explain it as a religious requirement.

Being a strict vegan is undeniably inconvenient. Traveling abroad can be a challenge, and I have had to say goodbye to many delicious pastries and traditional treats. Yet, I remain loyal to my choice.

My intention is never to offend or act superior to those around me. I am simply trying to be honest with myself and live in a way that aligns with my deepest beliefs. There is a profound sense of freedom and peace that comes from doing what you believe is right. My hope is that we can all respect one another's personal decisions, allowing each person to follow their own path toward a more compassionate life.

Luke Lin 2/3/2026