Do you have to be a monk to be a Buddhist?

Answer 1

Meat eating was not prohibited in the early days of Buddhism. Even today meat eating is not prohibited by many schools of Buddhism. The early Buddhists accepted meat as they moved from place to place begging for food. Over a period of time detailed rules and regulations have been created to regulated the types of food a Buddhist monk can partake as food. The early Buddhists believed that as long as the animal was not killed by oneself, or by ones orders or when it was not done for the purpose of pure pleasure, eating certain types of animal meat was not in contradiction with the principle of compassion for all living beings. However certain types of meat was not allowed even when these conditions were satisfied.

Answer 2

No, one doesnt HAVE to be a vegetarianto be zen, I myself am somewhat zen and i eat red meat. Basically if you can focus yourself AND eat a steak and not let it worry you than i would say you are pretty zen my friend

Answer 3

No, most people who are Buddhists are not monks.