The meaning of the word " vegetarian"

The word “vegetarian” in Chinese Buddhism means “uposatha or keeping the 8 precepts” of Mahayana Buddhism. to maintain the uposatha precepts Do not consume anything after noon according to the 8 precepts and do not consume meat. In order not to harm living things In the latter period, people who did not eat meat were called "vegetarians" as well. However, vegetarianism is not only about abstaining from meat, food, and condiments that contain meat. but also includes keeping the precepts Behave yourself as a good person in body, speech and mind as well.

History of the Vegetarian Festival

The Vegetarian Festival began about 400 years ago. Legend has it that Born in the time when the Chinese people were invaded by the Manchu people. which ruled China and forced the Chinese people to accept their own culture, such as wearing their hair like the Manchus, that is, shaving their head bald in the front and growing their hair long in the back which many people are probably familiar with in Chinese movies shown on TV.

In those days, a group of Chinese people gathered together to oppose the Manchus. By using the principles of Dhamma to join in as well. This group of Chinese people wear white robes and do not eat meat. which is believed to Following this guideline will help build strength. to their group until they were able to resist the Manchus This group of people calls themselves "Ngee Hua protested" who, despite fighting valiantly But in the end they were unable to resist the Manchu invasion.

On the 1st day of the waxing moon of the 9th lunar month, the Chinese people were still under the rule of the Manchus. So they gathered together to observe the precepts and eat vegetarian food. To remember the fighters "Ngee Hua Thao" who fought and died at that time Another belief in the legend of vegetarianism is It is believed that it is to pay homage to 7 Buddhas in the past and 2 great Bodhisattvas, making a total of 9 Buddhas, or in other words, called All 9 planets in this ritual The congregants thus abstained from killing animals and cutting off their lives and turned to practicing the precepts. By making a commitment to eat vegetarian food Abstain from savory food To practice the precepts For Thailand, beliefs about vegetarianism It is in the direction of refraining from taking the life of animals. To pay homage to Lord Buddha and Bodhisattva Kuan Yin. This may be due to the widespread practice of abstaining from eating beef. in the group of people who respect "Goddess Kuan Yin" Eating vegetarian food is another ritual to pay homage to.

Information from:https://www.sanook.com/campus/1397449/