Dietary Restrictions In Buddhism



Dietary Restrictions In BuddhismKayla Goddard24 November 2014HIST 134When we think of food, we think of all the different varieties and selections offered from every different culture. Often times, we encounter those who have dietary restrictions due to many different reasons such as their desire to lose weight or health related problems that prohibit them from eating certain types of food or simply because they do not believe in eating certain meals for specific reason such as the slaughtering of an animal, but at any given time or for any reason you can easily change your mind and retreat back to your old eating habits. What if it was said that you had to follow, and were expected to stick to these dietary restrictions for all of your life. In most cases, this is some people’s life. They have no choice on what or what not to eat, or how much they can consume in one day. This is often contributed to religion and in the case of Buddhism this is exactly what is expected. They have certain meals that are forbidden for consumption because it does not abide by the rules, teachings, and beliefs of their religion. Buddhism is a very mild religion that appeals to those who promote love, peace, and especially no acts of violence. You often see characteristics of this religion in their everyday diet. Diet varies by region and status. There are different branches of Buddhism and they all perceive things differently and have different methods of eating that they follow. Most Buddhist are vegetarian or vegan. Vegetarianism bans the consumption of meats. Buddhist believes that they should not have to sacrifice another living animal for their own consumption. This follows very closely to the belief of “Ashima” which refers to non-violence. The book Food and Culture labels these vegetarians as lacto-ovo-vegetarians and says that they consume “dairy products and eggs, but no meat. Some eat fish, and others abstain only from beef”1. Being vegetarian is optional based of what part of the world or sect you practice from. Chinese Buddhism differs from Japanese Buddhism and so on. There are also monastics. Buddhist who are vegan do not consume any dairy products or meat. They use alternatives for dairy but refrain from meat completely. Buddhist believe in living a clean, healthy lifestyle and do not put toxic things into the body. Being vegan and vegetarian is not specific to only Buddhist. We see this is other closely related religions as well.Aside from those who are vegetarian and vegan, Theravada monastics are mendicants2. They are pardoned from being vegetarian because they have to beg for food rather than grow or cultivate their own. Theravada Buddhist relies on food that is given to them from others. Every day they wait to receive food but still have small portions that they are to consume. They are to only accept what they will eat for that day and are not allowed to waste or throw away any food. They must be grateful for what they have but, author David Loy says, “an important restriction often followed by devout laypeople as well: not to eat meat (or fish) if you know or have reason to suspect that it was killed for you”3. Also, food was not to accepted from any organized institutions by monks unless they were sick, and they only had the option to do this once4. Author Wijayaratna makes it know that this was, “to protect the reputation of the Community, and to avoid criticisms from lay people”5. Although allowed to eat meat, this still closely relates to the vegetarian aspect of Buddhism. Sacrifice is inappropriate and forbidden regardless of what sect of Buddhism you belong to. Buddhist have religious reasons behind everything they that so. Unlike many Americans, Buddhist are not gluttons who eat lots of food because of taste or eating disorders. The book Living Buddhist Masters mentions “We should be mindful and consider the reason we take food. It is indicated in the Buddhist texts that we take food not because we want it, not because it is good, but rather because it is necessary to sustain the body.”6. Although this is not a direct dietary restriction that indicates certain foods that are prohibited to eat, it does forbid eating for any other reason than to stay alive and fulfil the body of what is necessary. Eating for taste or any other reason besides having to in order to sustain life, go against religious beliefs. It can lead to desire which is strongly looked down upon in Buddhism. One cannot promote wellness and good to others if they constantly are filled with desire. Author of Living Buddhist Masters also include in his text, “…when we are eating, it will be solely for the purpose of being free, from suffering. While we are taking food, if attachment and aversion do not arise at that time, then insight can occur.”7. Being insightful is most important and keeps Buddhist from suffer or sorrow. As we have seen from research, dietary restrictions are imposed on the religion of Buddhism because it correlates with religious beliefs. Buddhism has been in existence for a very long time and has always followed closely to their diet. It is a major portion of the religion and allows them time to do other important things that are essential to them, for example fast and meditate. These are a very calm, peaceful people but are very strict on what they believe. They expect all followers to abide by these tight rules. EndnotesKittler, Pamela Goyan, and Kathryn Sucher. Food and Culture. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2012. 99. Print.Loy, David. Money, Sex, War, Karma: Notes for a Buddhist Revolution. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2008. 114. Print.Loy 115.Wijayaratna, Mo. Buddhist Monastic Life: According to the Texts of the Therava?da Tradition. Cambridge [England: Cambridge UP, 1990. 71. Print.Wijayaratna 72.Kornfield, Jack. Living Buddhist Masters. Santa Cruz, CA: Unity, 1977. 156. Print.Kornfield 156. ................
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