Buddhist thought on food and eating [Archive]

Aloka

29 Dec 13, 21:24

Hi Bee,

From the Nirichen link #1:

Food has three virtues. First, it sustains life. Second, it enlivens the complexion. Third, it nourishes strength.

If one gives food to others, one will improve one’s own lot, just as, for example, if one lights a fire for others, one will brighten one’s own way.

But if one provides food for those who do evil, then by prolonging their lives, one will increase their vitality; by enlivening their complexions, one will add light to their eyes; by nourishing their strength, one will make their legs faster and their hands more skillful. And because this is so, the person who provided food will find, on the contrary, that as a result his own complexion grows pale, his vitality wanes, and he is deprived of strength.

In my opinion, saying that one suffers bad health and lack of vitality and strength if one provides food for those who do evil, appears to be rooted in superstition and doesn't have any medical evidence. If it was true, then people who work in prison canteens where there are murderers,rapists etc would be too weak and ill to cook/serve the food.

However did mention of one's diet was mentioned by the buddha in any canon?

The only sutta I know of where the Buddha mentions food is this one (but there may be others) Its also worth reading the translators notes under the sutta at the link.

SN 3.13 Donapaka Sutta: King Pasenadi Goes on a Diet

Once when the Buddha was living at Savatthi, King Pasenadi of Kosala ate a whole bucketful of food, and then approached the Buddha, engorged and panting, and sat down to one side. The Buddha, discerning that King Pasenadi was engorged and panting, took the occasion to utter this verse:

When a person is constantly mindful,
And knows when enough food has been taken,
All their afflictions become more slender
— They age more gradually, protecting their lives.

Now at that time the brahman youth Sudassana was standing nearby, and King Pasenadi of Kosala addressed him: "Come now, my dear Sudassana, and having thoroughly mastered this verse in the presence of the Buddha, recite it whenever food is brought to me. And I will set up for you a permanent offering of a hundred kahaapanas every day." "So be it, your majesty," the brahman youth Sudassana replied to the king.

Then King Pasenadi of Kosala gradually settled down to [eating] no more than a cup-full of rice. At a later time, when his body had become quite slim, King Pasenadi stroked his limbs with his hand and took the occasion to utter this utterance:

Indeed the Buddha has shown me
Compassion in two different ways:
For my welfare right here and now,
and also for in the future.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn03/sn03.013.olen.html

:hands: