素食命題所含賅的宗旨、內容與實踐準則，不僅關涉應然的人生理想，還在生命的內在與生活環境裏，顯示出實然的本質。因此，素食的議題不能僅以單方面的、局部的觀點來論述、評議，而必須用相對性的、普遍性的事實來檢證、說明。 素食命題之指涉範疇和層面，是多元複疊的，從佛教「緣起論」的思想義諦作為立足點，素食的精神特質和生命信仰就是「眾生平等」。由這個觀點出發，來認識素食命題所概括的生命體相，可以包含三個部份，第一部份：是以人本主義的精神為立場，它分別從身心健康、醫學理論的觀點來說明素食的利己益處。第二部份：是以生態學的觀點為著眼，它分別從自然生態、生物互助的共生倫理，來強調素食利己與利他的優點。第三部份：是以宗教哲學的觀點為究竟，它分別從輪迴業報、因果對反的律則中，顯明了食物鏈與生命內在的密切關係，它澄清了戰爭與和平的源由，也道出身心安頓的優質歸宿。 素食命題不應該被約限及誤解為宗教教義或以身體健康作為唯一之選項，它不是自外於社會普遍現象的獨立性之價值，而應該是人類乃至全體眾生界共通確認的智慧和道德。基於「眾生平等」的信念，實踐素食所含攝的社會性功能和終極意義，有必要透過全方位的論證與開放性的對話，讓人們知道素食的相對義是戒殺與止戰，不食肉的相對義是健康與平安。唯有從尊重生命、不殘害動物、不貪圖肉慾口腹的實際行動起步，人類的生命位格才有進階的機會，人類的生態環境方有可能獲得根本性的改善。 事實上，實踐素食等同於護生，而這種護生的動機、方法、型態和終極目的，也就等同於維護了人類本身的生存權益，進而維護了一切萬物的生命尊嚴。明白了這一層道理，人們便能體認素食命題所要表達的是道德倫理的整全性，以及生命品質的優質性。由此核心議題出發，則好不好吃，或方便與否，就不再是抉擇素食或肉食的重點。

Besides touching on what an ideal life should be, a vegetarian proposition also shows the essence of reality in our living environment. Therefore, being a vegetarian cannot be discussed from only a partial standpoint, but should be discussed with facts. The category of being a vegetarian is diverse and complicated. Its foundation is “the theory of origin" in Buddhism, and the concept that “all living things are equal". From these concepts, vegetarianism includes three truths: first, from the point of view of medical science, to observe a vegetarian regimen is good and healthy for both our body and mind. Second, from the point of view of ecology, vegetarianism has egoistic and altruistic advantages, if we believe paragenesis is inevitable. Third, from the point of view of religious philosophy, practicing abstinence from meat makes us feel peaceful and happy. The vegetarian proposition should not be misunderstood as a religious doctrine, or the simple and sole reason for health. It is not an isolated value, but a common wisdom and morality. On the basis of the belief that “all living things are equal”, vegetarianism, which brings us health and peace, should enable all people to understand the meaning of no killing and no war. Only through the actions of respecting life, and not killing animals, can humanity get the chance to progress and to improve their ecological environment. As a matter of fact, vegetarianism equates with the idea of “protecting life”. And to protect life equates to maintaining the rights and interests of existence of human being. If we can realize this, we can then realize that vegetarianism wants mainly to express the integrity of morality and ethics, and if we really understand this, we will never find any excuse to behave foolishly – that is, to eat meat.