Expert: Judy - 11/9/2009

Question
could you identify the relevant diet and lifestyle influences of Buddhism

Answer
Tina,

That's an interesting question.

Basically, there is no specific diet in Buddhism.  It all depends on different schools.  In Asia, monks and nuns are not allowed to eat any kind of meat or even herbs such as chive, garlic, onion and its related family.  Since these herbs are very stimulating to our brains, a Buddhist vegetarian does not eat these herbs.  However, it is not a rule in Buddhism in Asia, but it has just been practiced for a long time.  It has to do with culture rather than the religion itself.

In Tibet, monks eat meat, yet when they go to other regions, most of them choose to be vegetarians.  Again, being vegetarians is just a regional practice rather than a religious dogma.

The reason why many Buddhist prefer to be vegetarians is because in Buddhism people respect all sentient beings and believe that other lives exist for their very existence reason but not for us human beings to consume them.  This has to be with individual's consciousness more than anything else.

Mindfulness is an essential practice in Buddhism.  Whatever we do, we need to do it with awareness.  For example, when we feel full while eating, we do not want to eat extra to over stuff ourselves.  Greed is one of the 3 poisons in us.  It does not matter if it is material, food, or etc.., taking anything extra is only going to give us extra burden.  We try to treasure everything we have and content. We try watching out everything we think, do, and act.  When we are mindful of what we are doing, there is less chance we make mistakes.

Another major influence, in my opinion, is to take good care of our bodies.  Although our bodies are not going to last forever, only with good healthy can we practice and learn the teaching better and more.  This includes also balanced diet, good lifestyle with proper exercises and sufficient sleep, and etc. This all results in a better and healthy lifestyle.