Leena Watts
Buddhism has dietary restrictions and food traditions that vary between different schools of thought. The Mahayana schools generally recommend a vegetarian diet, while the Theravada and Vajrayana schools allow for meat, dairy, and other animal products. The monastic community in Chinese Buddhism, Vietnamese Buddhism, and most of Korean Buddhism strictly adhere to vegetarianism. A common thread among the varying diets is practicing intermittent fasting, which is a method of detoxifying the body and fortifying the mind. The Buddhist diet also emphasizes abstinence from alcohol and certain vegetables.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet laws | Lacto-vegetarianism, veganism, or meat consumption, depending on the interpretation of Buddhist teachings |
| Vegetarianism | Emphasized in Buddhism due to the belief in practicing compassion towards animals |
| Meat consumption | Allowed if the animal was not slaughtered specifically for the consumer |
| Alcohol | Prohibited due to its effect on the mind, but allowed in traditional ceremonies |
| Fasting | Practiced from noon to sunrise the following day to detoxify the body and fortify the mind |
| Time restrictions | Food intake is limited to a 9-hour window daily |
| Pungent vegetables | Prohibited due to their ability to create anger when eaten raw and lust when eaten cooked |
| Food of fleshy smell | Avoided, including animal flesh and fish |
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Lacto-vegetarianism
However, it is important to note that not all Buddhists are lacto-vegetarians. The interpretation of dietary practices can vary among different forms of Buddhism, such as Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana. Some Buddhists may consume meat and other animal products as long as the animals are not slaughtered specifically for them, adhering to the concept of "triply clean meat." Additionally, Tibetan Buddhism acknowledges the practical challenges of obtaining vegetables and grains in Tibet, making strict vegetarianism impractical for some followers.
Buddhists who follow lacto-vegetarianism may also incorporate other dietary restrictions. For example, some Buddhists avoid consuming strong-smelling plants, such as garlic, onion, chives, leeks, and shallots, as these vegetables are believed to increase sexual desire when cooked and anger when eaten raw. Alcohol and other intoxicating substances are also typically avoided by Buddhists as they are believed to cloud the mind and hinder mindfulness.
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Meat and animal products
Buddhism has several sects, including Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana, and each has a slightly different interpretation of the Buddha's teachings, particularly when it comes to dietary practices. The Mahayana schools generally recommend a vegetarian diet, claiming that Gautama Buddha set forth in some of the sutras that his followers must not eat the flesh of any sentient being. The Mahayana tradition also includes the Lankavatara Sutra and Surangama Sutra, which contain explicit prohibitions against consuming meat. The monastic community in Chinese Buddhism, Vietnamese Buddhism, and most of Korean Buddhism strictly adhere to vegetarianism.
The Theravada diet allows for meat, but with restrictions. According to the "triply clean meat" rule, monks, nuns, and some lay Buddhists will not eat meat if they have seen, heard, or known that animals have been specifically killed to feed them. They also avoid meat from certain animals, such as dogs and snakes, considered impure in ancient India. Some Chinese Buddhists avoid beef, large animals, and exotic species. Some Buddhists abstain from eating offal (organ meat), known as xiàshui (下水) in Chinese.
The Vajrayana sect, introduced to Japan by two monks, Kūkai and Saichō, in the 9th century, de-emphasized vegetarianism. Nichiren Buddhism today likewise deemphasizes vegetarianism, while Zen Buddhism tends to look favorably upon it.
Tibetan Buddhism has long accepted that the difficulties in obtaining vegetables and grains in Tibet make it impossible to insist upon vegetarianism. However, many leading Tibetan Buddhist teachers advocate for vegetarianism whenever possible.
Some Buddhists consume meat and other animal products as long as the animals are not slaughtered specifically for them. However, most dishes considered Buddhist are vegetarian, and vegetarianism is encouraged and emphasized in Buddhism due to the belief in practicing compassion towards animals.
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Alcohol
While Buddhism does not have a specific diet that all adherents must follow, the religion highly emphasises wisdom and the pursuit of a clear mind. As such, alcohol is generally discouraged in the Buddhist faith. Alcohol is believed to cloud the mind and impair self-control, which may make it more likely for other Buddhist directives to be broken.
The consumption of alcohol is not strictly forbidden, and some traditional ceremonies incorporate it. However, it is warned against and should be limited, as it is believed to hinder one's journey towards enlightenment and self-improvement. Alcohol is also associated with negative health effects, such as an increased risk of chronic diseases, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
Buddhists who choose to consume alcohol may do so without violating the precepts, as long as they do not lose self-control or become intoxicated. This is because alcohol only alters the mind of those who have not achieved clarity of mind through meditation.
In addition to alcohol, Buddhists also generally avoid pungent vegetables such as garlic, onion, chives, leeks, and shallots, as these are believed to increase sexual desire when cooked and anger when raw.
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Fasting
Buddhist fasting is often done for religious reasons, such as Nyungne or Uposatha. It is believed that the Buddha laid out monastic fasting rules and other dietary guidelines, but the specific rationale for fasting in the afternoon and evening is not clear. However, some interpret it as a way to stay mindful and healthy, as the Buddha emphasized the importance of being mindful of what one consumes.
The practice of fasting in Buddhism is not limited to monks, and some lay Buddhists also choose to incorporate fasting into their spiritual practice. It is worth noting that the type and extent of fasting may vary depending on the specific school of Buddhism being followed. For example, Mahayana Buddhism, which includes Tibetan Buddhism and Zen Buddhism, generally recommends a vegetarian diet and may encourage periodic fasting. On the other hand, Theravada Buddhism, which includes the Tendai sect, does not emphasize vegetarianism or fasting as strictly.
When it comes to the health implications of Buddhist fasting, some believe that the human body is well-adapted to fasting for one month out of the year. However, it is important to approach fasting with caution and maintain a sustainable and nutritious diet when not fasting. Additionally, combining fasting with a healthy diet that includes fibre and lower glycemic index foods is more effective for weight loss than relying solely on caloric restriction.
In summary, fasting is an integral part of Buddhist practice for some monks and lay followers. It is often done for religious reasons and as a way to stay mindful and healthy. The specific approach to fasting can vary depending on the school of Buddhism and the individual's interpretation of the teachings. As with any dietary practice, it is important to ensure that fasting is done in a safe and healthy manner.
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Pungent vegetables
Pungency is the taste of food commonly referred to as spiciness, hotness, or heat, found in foods such as chilli peppers. While pungency is not considered a taste in the technical sense, it is carried to the brain by a different set of nerves than those that detect taste. The sensation commonly interpreted as "hot" results from the stimulation of somatosensory fibers in the mouth. Many parts of the body with exposed membranes that lack taste receptors (such as the nasal cavity, genitals, or a wound) produce a similar sensation of heat when exposed to pungent agents. The primary substances responsible for the pungent taste are capsaicin, piperine (in peppers), and allyl isothiocyanate (in radishes, mustard, and wasabi).
In Buddhism, pungent vegetables such as garlic, onion, chives, leeks, and shallots are avoided by some practitioners. These vegetables are thought to increase sexual desire when eaten cooked and anger when eaten raw. This interpretation is based on teachings found in the Brahmajala Sutra, the Surangama Sutra, and the Lankavatara Sutra. In modern times, this rule is often interpreted to include other vegetables of the onion genus, as well as coriander. The origin of this additional restriction is from the Indic region and can still be found among some believers of Hinduism and Jainism.
The Mahayana tradition, which includes Chinese Buddhism, Vietnamese Buddhism, and most of Korean Buddhism, explicitly prohibits the consumption of meat. This tradition also includes a ban on garlic and other strong-smelling plants, such as asafoetida, shallots, mountain leeks, and Chinese onions. These vegetables are referred to as wu hun (五葷, or 'Five Acrid and Strong-Smelling Vegetables') or wu xin (五辛, or 'Five Spice').
It is important to note that the Buddhist diet is flexible, and not all traditions require lay followers or clergy to be vegetarian. Some Buddhists consume meat and other animal products as long as the animals are not slaughtered specifically for them. However, most dishes considered uniquely Buddhist are vegetarian.
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Frequently asked questions
The Buddhist diet is primarily plant-based, emphasizing vegetarianism, abstinence from alcohol, and fasting. Variations allow for some meat, alcohol, and other animal products. The Buddhist diet’s importance lies in its connection to Buddhism’s ethical teachings, including gratitude for the nourishment the earth provides.
The three most popular Buddhist diets coincide with the three primary Buddhist sects: Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana. The Mahayana diet is the strictest interpretation and emphasizes vegetarianism and partial veganism. The Theravada diet allows for meat, dairy, and other animal products, and the Vajrayana diet grants meat and alcohol consumption.
A Buddhist diet meal plan typically consists of leafy and starchy greens, whole grains, lentils, nuts, seeds, and fruits. Less restrictive versions contain dairy, eggs, meat, and occasional alcohol consumption.
