Beliefs of Buddhists Monks

Citation added: "The Buddha's Advice of Killing and Consumption of Meat." Maithri. 05 June 2008. Mathri Publications. 12 Feb. 2009 http://www.maithri.com/articles_new/Buddhas_Advice_on_Killing_and_Consumption_of_Meat.htm.

From the Theravadas perspective, they think that it's a personal prefrence to eat meat or not. Although the first of the five precepts, which is the basic code of ethical conduct for all practicing Buddhist, tells followers to not intentionaly be in any act of killing. However, it does not say anything about eating flesh from animals that are already dead. But the Theracada monks are clearly not allowed to eat meat from some animals such as, humans, elephants, horses, dogs, snakes, lions, tigers, leopards, bears, hyenas and panthers. Although its not directly related to killing. Monks must be/become vegetarians by leaving uneaten mean that might have been in alms bowl. Because they are dependent on giving freely, they are not alowed to make special food requests. In some parts of the world where Monks live, including areas in south Asia, where being a vegetarrian is uncommon, vegetarian monks have to decide to either eat meat or starve.
Other things that Monks need to avoid are hunting, fishing, trapping, butchering, steaming live clams, and eating lice raw oysters. In the article, a Monk questions, "what if I eat or just purchase meat: aren't I simply encouraging someone else to do the killing for me? How can letting someone else do the "dirty work" possibly be consistent with the Buddhist principles of compassion and non-harming, a cornerstone of right resolve?" I believe that if you want to live a non-harming life style, then being a vegetarian is right for you.