Question: Is it alright to collect whatever food sponsored, even if non-vegetarian, for selling, to raise funds in the name of Buddhism?
Answer: Although this seems to be a little like random alms-seeking, it is not so… as there is active open demand, followed by selling. Since this is so, it is more compassionate and wise to openly ask for vegetarian (and even more ideally vegan) food only. Selling non-vegan food openly promotes it, which if liked by the buyers, can sustain or increase demand for them, beyond a single purchase. This demand will lead to exploiting and killing of more animals. Kinder food should be promoted instead.
Question: Is it alright to raise funds with non-vegetarian group dinners in the name of Buddhism?
Answer: The Buddha’s teachings are on benefiting of all sentient beings with all-encompassing compassion; not just human beings; not excluding animals. As such, it is contradicting to, in the name of Buddhism, raise funds to help all sentient beings, while clearly creating demand for harm of some sentient beings, by ordering their meat. Similarly, if liked by the eaters, this can sustain or increase demand for it, beyond a single meal. This demand will lead to exploiting and killing of more animals. Kinder food should be promoted instead.
