法苑珠林 93.53

93.53

Eighth, explaining that from one who eats meat, the devas, worthies, and sages all keep their distance, while evil spirits bring terror; therefore practitioners should not eat meat. As that sūtra states: 'As for those who eat meat, the devas keep their distance from them, to say nothing of the sages. Therefore, bodhisattvas, in order to see the sages, should cultivate loving-kindness and compassion and should not eat meat. Mahāmati, for a person who eats meat, sleeping is suffering, and rising is also suffering. If in their dreams they see various evils, their hair stands on end with alarm and terror, and their mind is constantly ill at ease. Because they lack a mind of loving-kindness, they are deficient in all powers of goodness. If they are alone in a deserted place, non-humans will often wait for an opportunity against them; tigers, wolves, and lions will also come seeking an opportunity, desiring to eat their flesh; their minds are constantly terrified and cannot obtain peace and security.'