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Vegetarian and vegetarian

"Hey, are you here to eat vegetarian food too?" Suddenly, I heard such a greeting from a fellow practitioner to a friend, and I thought to myself that he didn't understand the term "fasting" or just went along with sentient beings to facilitate conversation.

In fact, it should be vegetarian rather than "fasting", but after all, "fasting" is more affectionate and popular in Hokkien, while there is no term "fasting" in Buddhism. Sadly, it is not difficult to see some stalls or vegetarian (vegetarian food) shops on the street with the word "vegetarian" as their signboard, which shows that "eating vegetarian" is equivalent to being vegetarian, which is already deeply ingrained in people's concepts.

"Holding fasting" means not eating after noon (holding noon or not eating at any time), that is, not eating after noon. Holding noon is one of the rules that must be followed in the Eight Precepts, so this is not a precept, but a fast. If you only keep the other seven precepts (do not kill, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not lie, do not wear fragrant flowers, do not sing, dance, and do not sit on a large bed), it is not called fasting, but is called precepts. The outline of precepts says: fasting does not necessarily mean being vegetarian. Master Nanchuan is an example, but only Master Nanchuan holds noon and begs for alms. Master's alms are eaten according to fate, and believers can eat whatever they give, and they cannot be picky.

"Offering fasting (fasting or fasting)" is in Buddhist ashrams, when there is a puja or activity, money is paid to provide food to the public (including at home and monks). "Offering to the Heavenly Emperor", commonly known as worshiping the Heavenly Lord, is based on the Buddhist "Golden Light Sutra" to offer the Three Jewels and the Protectors of the World (Emperor Shakyamuni, King Brahma, God, etc.). After all, the protectors of the world are the protectors of Buddhism, so there is nothing wrong with offering them.

Vegetarian (or vegetarian) not only does not eat the meat of all living beings, but also includes five spices (green onions, leeks, garlic (garlic food), small garlic and onions), eggs, etc. Strictly speaking, true vegetarians do not eat milk, dairy products, bird's nest (bird's nest food), etc. (see Master Shengyan's "Orthodox Buddhism" and "Disciplined Life").

Master Jingkong said that being a vegetarian is the best way to release animals. If everyone can be vegetarian, that would be great. Because doing so not only cultivates our compassion, but also reduces worldly killing karma. If there is still no way, or if the cause does not allow it, then it is also convenient to eat the three pure meats (not being killed because I want to eat, not seeing and not listening to the situation and sound of being killed).

The old layman Li Bingnan said: The negative merit of the lower grade does not kill, the merit of the middle grade can be vegetarian, and the positive merit of the upper grade is the release of life. Buddha Yin Zen Master also said: eat vegetarian, release and chant Buddha; Guarantee the best quality of the West.

In the West, many people are starting to go vegetarian, and this number is constantly increasing, but not entirely because of religion, but for health (healthy food). If the environment permits, you may wish to reduce your meat consumption and eat more vegetables (vegetable foods) and fruits (fruit foods), that is, you can reduce the evil karma of killing, cultivate the merits of the past life, and take care of your health, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

"It can be seen that the wars in the world are all caused by killing karma", I hope everyone will encourage each other.

2024-02-05 18:02
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