'Veganism answer to human problems'

Will Tuttle speaks with The Korea Times following a lecture for International Dharma Instructors, at the Temple Stay building in central Seoul, May 7. / Korea Times photo by Kim Bo-eun

By Kim Bo-eun

Could veganism become more common in Korea, an ultra-competitive society intolerant of minorities?

Will Tuttle, an American author of Amazon’s best-selling “World Peace Diet” and pianist, says yes.

A vegan of 35 years, he travels around the world giving lectures about the damage associated with animal agriculture, and was in Korea from late April to early May.

“People are injected with a cultural program, but they are capable of changing,” Tuttle told The Korea Times. “They just need to see examples of other people who have changed.”

World Peace Diet

How is not eating animal products related to world peace? Tuttle’s book, available in 16 languages including Korean, illustrates how animal agriculture involves the five evils of drugs, deceit, theft, sexual violence and murder. The author traces these forms of violence back to the ownership of animals.

On a greater level, animal farming also creates conflict amongst humanity. Historically, the ownership of animals gave rise to classes of wealth, and men initiated war as they fought with each other to gain more.

Meat eating is also inefficient. Many more resources such as land and water are needed to grow animals than plants. The environment is destroyed as forests are felled, soil is eroded and climate is adversely affected by livestock. Meanwhile, the crops fed to animals are converted into animal protein, saturated fat and sewage.

At the same time, billions of people continue to starve as animals are fed crops. This also creates conflict as starving populations realize that on the other side of the globe, people have more than enough meat to eat.

The workers at slaughterhouses are also exposed to highly stressful environments, where they have to commit violence against animals, and suffer from depression, drug and alcohol addiction and suicide.

“Animal agriculture destroys the earth, culture, and people’s physical, mental and spiritual health ― basically, it is the most destructive thing people do,” Tuttle said.

“However, every time you take out your wallet to purchase a hamburger, you are casting a vote to support these atrocities.”

People are good

Tuttle believes that people are good in nature ― that they are born with kindness and compassion.

However, they are forced to eat meat at a young age, when they are unaware of its associated harmfulness. They are also taught to compete, make money and get what we want in a society that exploits animals, the ecosystem and people.

Tuttle himself ate meat and animal products until the age of 22 when he came across a community of some 900 vegetarians.

“They were thriving. When I asked why they don’t eat meat, they cited world hunger and cruelty to animals. I started right then.”

His motivation was compassion for animals, people and the earth, but having spent several decades as a vegan, he says there are substantial health benefits as well. He hasn’t seen a doctor since he started his vegan diet.

While Korea is a highly competitive society where anything that goes against mainstream tends to be frowned upon, Tuttle had a positive view of Korean people. He had actually formerly been in Korea to get training as a Zen Buddhist monk in 1984.

“There were a lot more rice paddies and villages back then. Korea has become richer and more developed, but people are still nature-loving ― it is impressive how they love and try to protect the mountains and rivers,” he said.

Tuttle says that we should realize the harm of animal agriculture and stop eating meat. People can first start with vegetarianism and then go on to veganism, he says. Even those who are highly skeptical will start to follow once they see changed people.

“People will start resonating at a deep level when they see those who have changed and gradually they will become attracted to it.”