Buddhist Diet 

In Buddhism, there are two kinds of food to avoid: one is pungent vegetable and the other is meat product.

There are five kinds of vegetables that Buddhists avoid and they are onions, garlic, scallions, chives and leeks. Why are vegetables forbidden? According to the Buddha, the odors of these vegetables repel gods and attract hungry ghosts and demons. 

So, what did the Buddha say about no meat eating? Now, I am going to read you some sutras. There might be some words that you don’t understand. It’s O.K. You would understand in a later time if you follow this channel.

In Volume VI of Shurangma Sutra, the Buddha said, “Ananda, if living beings in the six paths of any mundane world had no thoughts of killing, they would not have to follow a continual succession of births and deaths. 

”Your basic purpose in cultivating samadhi is to transcend the wearisome defilements. But if you do not renounce your thoughts of killing, you will not be able to get out of the dust. 

“Even though one may have some wisdom and manifestation of Chan samadhi, one is certain to enter the path of spirits if one does not cease killing. At best, a person will become a mighty ghost; on the average, one will become a flying yaksha, a ghost leader, or the like; at the lowest level, one will become an earth-bound rakshasa. 

”These ghosts and spirits have their groups of disciples. Each says of himself that he has accomplished the Unsurpassed Way. 

”After my extinction, in the Dharma-ending Age, these hordes of ghosts and spirits will abound, spreading like wildfire as they argue that eating meat will bring one to the Bodhi Way. 

”Ananda, I permit the Bhikshus to eat pure meat with five kind of characters. This meat is actually a transformation brought into being by my spiritual powers. It basically has no life-force. You Brahmans live in a climate so hot and humid, and on such sandy and rocky land, that vegetables will not grow; therefore, I have had to assist you with spiritual powers and compassion. Because of this kindness and compassion, what you eat that tastes like meat is merely said to be meat; in fact, however, it is not. After my extinction, how can those who eat the flesh of living beings be called the disciples of Shakya? 

”You should know that these people who eat meat may gain some awareness and may seem to be in samadhi, but they are all great rakshasas. When their retribution ends, they are bound to sink into the bitter sea of birth and death. They are not disciples of the Buddha. Such people as these kill and eat one another in a never-ending cycle. How can such people transcend the Triple Realm? 

”When you teach people in the world to cultivate samadhi, they must also cut off killing.”

So, what did the Buddha say about no pungent vegetables? 

In Volume VIII of Shurangama Sutra, the Buddha said, “Ananda, the twelve categories of living beings in this world are not complete in themselves, but depend on four kinds of eating; that is, eating by portions, eating by contact, eating by thought, and eating by consciousness. Therefore, the Buddha said that all living beings must eat to live. 

”Ananda, all living beings can live if they eat what is sweet, and they will die if they take poison. Beings who seek samadhi should refrain from eating five pungent plants of this world. 

”If these five are eaten cooked, they increase one’s sexual desire; if they are eaten raw, they increase one’s anger. 

”Therefore, even if people in this world who eat pungent plants can expound the twelve divisions of the sutra canon, the gods and immortals of the ten directions will stay far away from them because they smell so bad. However, after they eat these things the hungry ghosts will hover around and kiss their lips. Being always in the presence of ghosts, their blessings and virtue dissolve as the days go by, and they experience no lasting benefit. 

”People who eat pungent plants and also cultivate samadhi will not be protected by the Bodhisattvas, gods, immortals, or good spirits of the ten directions; therefore, the tremendously powerful demon kings, able to do as they please, will appear in the body of a Buddha and speak dharma for them, denouncing the prohibitive precepts and praising lust, rage, and delusion. 

”When their lives end, these people will join the retinue of demon kings. When they use up their blessings as demons, they will fall into the Unintermittent Hell. 

”Ananda, those who cultivate for Bodhi should never eat the five pungent plants. This is the first of the gradual stages of cultivation.”

Eating meat generates killing karma and eradicate the mind of compassion. The five pungent vegetables would strengthen the mind of lust and anger and also they are the smell not favored by the buddhas, bodhisattvas and protecting guards, but by the ghosts and demons.

By Nancy Yu

How to Start Your Journey to a Vegetarian Lifestyle?

November 11, 2024

As more people turn to vegetarianism, many find that giving up meat is not an easy

task. The taste and texture of meat are deeply ingrained in our daily lives, and for

many, meat has become a habitual part of their diet. However, adopting a

vegetarian lifestyle doesn't need to happen overnight. With a gradual transition and

a scientific approach to diet, it is possible to achieve this lifestyle change without

compromising health.

1. Gradual Transition: Start with Substitutes

One of the biggest challenges when starting a vegetarian diet is replacing meat. The

key strategy here is to use substitutes, which can satisfy your taste buds and ensure

nutritional variety.

Appearance and Taste Substitutes: There are many vegetarian products on

the market that mimic the appearance and flavor of traditional meats, such

as vegetarian chicken, duck, and ham. These plant-based "meat" alternatives

are excellent choices during your transition, as they help you forget the taste

of meat and reduce cravings.

Nutritional Substitutes: Meat provides certain essential nutrients such as

protein, vitamin B12, and iron, which can be lacking in a vegetarian diet. To

address this, it's important to combine plant-based foods that supply these

nutrients. For example, beans, nuts, and whole grains can provide the

necessary protein and other key nutrients.

Additionally, many people accustomed to high-fat meat may feel hungry after

switching to a vegetarian diet. In this case, incorporating plant-based fats, like olive

oil and nuts, can help delay hunger and act as another form of "internal

substitution."

2. Social Strategies: Start with "Pot-side Dishes"

In real life, we often find ourselves dining with non-vegetarians. Completely giving

up meat in these situations may be difficult, but there are flexible strategies you can

adopt. For example, when eating with others, you can choose to eat only the "pot-

side" vegetables—those cooked alongside meat. You can pick out the vegetables,

tofu, or other plant-based ingredients, avoiding the meat. This method allows you to

gradually get used to eating vegetarian food without feeling too awkward.

Over time, you can reduce your meat intake and eventually adopt a fully vegetarian

diet. This gradual process requires patience and determination, but it will make the

transition feel more natural.

3. Preparation is Key: Make Sure You Can Eat Vegetarian When Out

Once you're accustomed to eating vegetarian food, the next challenge is maintaining

your diet when you go out. Whether you are at work, school, or traveling, proper

preparation is crucial for sticking to your vegetarian lifestyle. You can bring

homemade lunch or check whether your destination offers vegetarian restaurants or

other convenient vegetarian options. When traveling, you can arrange for vegetarian

meals on flights or trains. If these options are not available, consider bringing simple

vegetarian meals such as salads or nuts as alternatives.

If you are unable to prepare food ahead of time, eating "pot-side" vegetarian

ingredients remains a good choice, and there's no need to feel too stressed about it.

4. Expand Your Vegetarian Menu: Vegetarian Options Are More Varied Than You

Think

Many people feel that the vegetarian menu is too limited at first. In reality,

vegetarian options are far more diverse than we often realize. Beyond the familiar

vegetables, beans, and grains, there are many interesting vegetarian dishes and

alternatives. If you feel the menu is too limited, try exploring vegetarian cookbooks

or online resources to discover more plant-based ingredients and recipes.

You can also connect with other vegetarians to exchange cooking tips and creative

recipes. As you learn more about vegetarianism, you'll find that it offers endless

possibilities.

5. The Compassionate Philosophy Behind Vegetarianism

If you find it difficult to stick with vegetarianism, consider the ethical and

compassionate reasons behind it. Many vegetarians choose not to eat meat out of

respect for life and compassion for animals. If you're struggling to maintain your diet,

visiting a slaughterhouse or learning about the process of animal slaughter may

inspire you to reaffirm your commitment to vegetarianism.

Adopting a vegetarian diet is a gradual process, and you don't need to force yourself

to make a sudden, drastic change. You can start by eating vegetarian a few days a

week and gradually increase your plant-based meals. Along the way, maintain a

balanced diet with sufficient nutrients to avoid any fear or discomfort associated

with the transition.

6. Healthy Vegetarianism: Scientific Pairing for Nutritional Balance

To ensure that your vegetarian diet meets all your nutritional needs, it’s crucial to

pair foods properly. Vegetarians should make sure to include the following food

categories every day to ensure a balanced diet:

Whole Grains: Foods like rice, noodles, and mixed grains provide energy.

Legumes and Soy Products: Tofu, soy milk, and other bean-based products provide plant

protein.

Fresh Vegetables: Spinach, carrots, and eggplants are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Mushrooms and Seaweed: Mushrooms boost immunity, and seaweed provides vitamin B12,

which is especially important for vegetarians.

Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, and peanuts are rich in healthy fats and antioxidants.

Fruits: Bananas, apples, and longan are rich in vitamins and minerals, helping supplement

your diet.

If you don’t want to prepare these foods yourself, you can opt for vegetarian

restaurants where dishes are usually scientifically paired to meet your daily

nutritional needs.

7. Healthy Lifestyle: Complementing Vegetarianism with Good Habits

Living a vegetarian lifestyle is not only about food but also about adopting a healthy

lifestyle:

Adequate Sleep and Regular Routine: Going to bed early and waking up early helps maintain

your body in good condition.

Sunlight Exposure: Morning sunlight helps the body synthesize vitamin D and boosts

immunity.

Nutrient Supplementation: Foods like black sesame paste can promote healthy hair and

prevent hair graying.

Vegetarianism is not just a diet; it’s a lifestyle choice that reflects respect for life and

a commitment to health.

8. When You Feel Discouraged, Keep Going

By adopting a vegetarian diet, you will experience many health benefits:

Improved Skin and Body Shape: Vegetarianism helps remove toxins from the body, making

your skin smoother and your body leaner.

Better Digestion: A vegetarian diet rich in fiber helps cleanse the intestines and promote

digestion.

Enhanced Mood: Vegetarianism often leads to a gentler, happier personality with a positive

outlook, fostering better relationships with others.

Improved Mental Clarity: A plant-based diet can sharpen your mind and improve mental

agility, making it easier to solve problems in everyday life.

Shifting to a vegetarian lifestyle not only enhances your physical health but also

improves your mindset and quality of life. By combining a well-balanced vegetarian

diet with a healthy lifestyle, you’ll enjoy a more fulfilling and joyful life.

(Personal reflections, for reference only.)