| The Buddhist Diet is an East Asian cuisine enjoyed by | | | | Numerous Buddhists who are not strict vegetarians |
| some believers of Buddhism. It is mostly vegetarian, | | | | follow additional food consumption rules. For example, |
| conforming to the general Buddhist precept of ahimsa | | | | many Chinese Buddhists will not eat beef or meat |
| (non-violence). Buddhism and the East Indian religion of | | | | coming from large animals and exotic species. Many |
| Jainism recognize that even eating vegetables could | | | | Buddhists avoid eating animal innards and organs. It is |
| contribute to the indirect killing of living beings because | | | | common for Buddhists to avoid alcohol drugs because |
| animal life is destroyed by tilling the soil or employing | | | | of their effects on the mind and "mindfulness". |
| pesticides. Some Buddhist currents do not reject eating | | | | According to the Five Precepts, one should not |
| meat. Even if a believer takes a vow to be a | | | | consume "addictive materials". Strict Buddhists consider |
| vegetarian he or she is freed from fulfilling the vow | | | | tobacco to be addictive. |
| when doing so is clearly impossible. | | | | Buddhist vegetarian chefs are often known for their |
| Unlike most Western vegetarians, the East Asian | | | | skill in imitating meat by using prepared wheat gluten, |
| Buddhist Diet tries to avoid killing plant life. This means | | | | also known as "seitan," soy (such as tofu or tempeh), |
| that root vegetables (such as potatoes, carrots or | | | | agar, and other plant products. Soy and wheat gluten |
| onion) should not be eaten because gathering them | | | | are easily shaped and molded into meat and seafood |
| would involve the death of vegetables. Strictly | | | | look-alikes and are processed into meat and seafood |
| speaking only fruits or vegetables such as beans | | | | taste-alikes. |
| should be consumed. Some Buddhists, particularly in | | | | Many monasteries are home to Buddhist vegetarian |
| China and Vietnam, will not eat strong-smelling plants | | | | chefs and serve monks and visitors, perhaps long-term |
| including garlic, shallots, and mountain leeks known as | | | | guests. The Buddhist tradition of presenting vegetarian |
| Five Acrid And Strong Smelling Vegetables or "Five | | | | food with "meat" or "seafood" taste is among the |
| Spices" because these plants tend to excite the | | | | oldest in the world and many people are quite pleased |
| senses. Many believers extend this rule to exclude | | | | with such products. |
| other members of the onion family and coriander. | | | | |