Posted by alexandra_k on November 28, 2004, at 23:55:21
In reply to Fruitarians, posted by Poetess on November 27, 2004, at 11:57:08
I have heard of them.
Now from memory (so this may well be dodgey!)...They (or at least some of them) do not pick fruit off the tree becuase they believe that this would / may cause pain to the tree. They wait until it falls. I wondered whether it may be okay to shake the trunk a little, to kind of help out - but apparantly it is not.
I have heard of some (maybe monks) who brush the path in front of them to make sure they do not tread on ants or any other small insects.
I think that the motivations are largely spiritual.
I guess I believe that if it has a nervous system it can feel pain and so we shouldn't hurt it if possible. I don't think brushing the path is very practical for my daily life though. I guess I figure that plants don't feel pain because they don't have a nervous system.
I won't maintain that it isn't possible for something without a nervous system to feel pain.
I just don't think that it is actually the case.Please don't press me on this...
Actually, I am sure I'll be up to whatever tomorrow... :-)
poster:alexandra_k
thread:420601
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20041122/msgs/421653.html