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Vegetarianism, Abstinence from Meat, and Tea Appreciation

Buddhist food culture is all-encompassing. From the perspective of dietary structure, it primarily includes three aspects: abstinence from meat, vegetarianism, and tea appreciation.

First, abstinence from meat and strong smells. Food taboos are religious taboos, and these include:

Abstinence from meat: "Meat" or "strong smells" refers to pungent vegetables. Buddhism forbids the "five pungent vegetables," which are recorded differently in various scriptures, but generally include onions, garlic, leeks, wild garlic, and chives.

Abstinence from strong smells: "Strong smells" refer to meat, specifically animal flesh, and even eggs. Buddhism teaches the doctrines of karma and reincarnation, and sutras such as the Surangama Sutra and the Nirvana Sutra prohibit killing and eating meat.

Prohibition of alcohol: Buddhism views alcohol as a "gateway to indulgence." Drinking alcohol violates the "Five Precepts" of Buddhism, so all intoxicating beverages are strictly prohibited. Additionally, Buddhism also prohibits smoking and snacking.

Next, promoting vegetarianism. Vegetarianism is often considered the core of Buddhist dietary culture. However, in practice, the tradition of vegetarianism is most prominent in Chinese Buddhism, with Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty (Southern Dynasty) being a prominent proponent. Emperor Wu strongly advocated vegetarianism, issuing the Edict to Abandon Meat and Alcohol, after which Buddhist monasteries banned meat and alcohol. Beyond the monasteries, for personal well-being, some lay practitioners would also adopt vegetarian diets for either short or long periods. Additionally, Buddhist vegetarianism has become integrated into Chinese folk customs, such as the practice of eating "Laba porridge" during the "Laba Festival" (the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month), which is associated with Buddhist traditions.

Due to geographical and social constraints, ancient Chinese cuisine mainly consisted of vegetarian dishes, with meat being a supplement. Later, Confucianism further imbued this eating habit with profound humanistic significance, advocating for "simple clothing and vegetable meals" as a way to cultivate moral character. This aligns closely with the Buddhist virtues of compassion and discipline, reflected in daily dietary practices.

Buddhist food also adopts a middle way, emphasizing adaptability, and follows the principle of "skillful means." For the general practitioners, Buddhism permits the consumption of "three clean meats" (meat from animals that have died of natural causes or have been slaughtered in a nonviolent way), or dishes made with vegetables and meat substitutes. To cater to both monastic and lay tastes, ancient monasteries developed sophisticated vegetarian dishes using tofu and gluten, which were later popularized in urban areas.

Finally, tea appreciation. Many Buddhist monks have the habit of drinking and tasting tea. Tea and meditation are intricately linked. Meditation (zazen) is the fundamental practice for Buddhist monks, requiring focus and stillness. Tea, being invigorating and mentally clarifying, becomes an indispensable beverage for monks during meditation, even allowing them to meditate overnight without sleep. More importantly, tea culture has been integrated into Zen practice, with the idea that "Zen and tea are one flavor," and "the essence of tea is the essence of Zen." The two have gradually become inseparable, and the phrase "Drink tea and go" has become a popular saying in Zen circles.

Moderation, Compassion, and Aesthetic Taste

The connotations of Buddhist food culture include three aspects:

Moderation and self-discipline in eating habits. Religions can be roughly divided into those based on external power ("other-power" religions) and those based on personal effort ("self-power" religions). Buddhism is a self-power religion, emphasizing the decisive role of individual enlightenment in achieving spiritual transcendence. Buddhism cultivates moderation and self-discipline through abstaining from meat, following a vegetarian diet, and fasting, which strengthens believers' religious and cultural identity.

Compassionate eating practices. Buddhism opposes the human tendency to excessively harm innocent beings and exploit nature selfishly, promoting love for all sentient and non-sentient beings. The Buddhist precept against killing and its vegetarian dietary practices are not only religious requirements but also reflect gratitude, reverence, and compassion for life and nature.

Elegant and refined food aesthetics. Buddhism's pursuit of refined, elegant eating habits has influenced secular society as well. For instance, during the Song Dynasty, the scholarly and official classes adopted vegetarianism as a fashion, departing from the meat-eating habits of the Tang Dynasty. Many scholars and literati expressed their preference for vegetarian food through poetry, reflecting their aspiration for the ascetic and noble lifestyle, as seen in works such as Su Dongpo's Ode to Vegetarian Stew and Zhu Xi's Verses on Eating Wild Vegetables.

From "Eating Vegetarian and Chanting Buddha" to Ecological Concerns

Buddhism entered China through the Silk Road in the mid-1st century, bringing with it dietary ideas, customs, foods, and utensils from India and Central Asia. Over more than a thousand years, these influences greatly enriched Chinese food culture. During its development, Buddhism's own food culture adapted and transformed in response to Chinese culinary traditions, reflecting and embodying the core values, aesthetic tastes, and spiritual characteristics of Chinese culture.

Buddhist food culture thus serves as a window into understanding the Sinicization of Buddhism and Chinese traditional culture. Promoting the positive and rational elements of Buddhist food culture, using modern concepts like eco-friendliness and sustainability to guide the Sinicization of Buddhist food culture, can help modern people develop healthier, more civilized, and scientific dietary habits and lifestyles. It also supports the harmonious coexistence and symbiosis between humans and nature.