Do Buddhists eat donuts?
Yes, but they are only allowed to eat the hole in the middle
In the temple I used to attend, there would be little Debbie snacks and soda on the altar all the time. I’ve seen Monks eat everything….and nothing. They aren’t as strict eaters as you might think….That goes for lay followers, as well. I often joke that that’s the most popular thing to fight about in a group of Buddhists…what you should/shouldn’t eat. I’ve seen fights over honey that should have been in a ring, hahaha
I ask this halfway in jest, because I assume many Buddhists do enjoy donuts and similar junk food.
But I have to admit, when I imagine a Buddhist being offered a donut, I imagine them deciding that the sense pleasure brought by the donut is not worth the unhealthy ingredients, even if it really won't be too much bother to metabolize or balance out with a majority of healthy eating and exercise.
That is to say, I imagine the middle way for donuts is to abstain from donuts, and perhaps look for something else that gives us a bit of sweetness to enjoy? Or is it okay to just eat the donut?
May seem like a small thing but it's a small thing that won't go away for me.
Two women meet at the Pearly Gates at exactly the same time...
"Oh..hi! Nice underwear! So...how did you die?"
"I froze to death..."
"Oh, well, With next to nothing on...🤷♀️"
"Well, how did YOU die?!"
"I was convinced my husband was having an affair. I ran all the way home from work, rushed in, but he was just sitting in his dressing gown, watching TV...!
I ran into every room, checking for any evidence, but couldn't find any. I ran through to the garage - nothing! I ended up running all over the garden, looking at possibile hiding places - promptly had a heart attack, and fell down dead!"
"Well, you're a bloody idiot!" Retorted the scantily-clad woman, huffily.
"Why?!"
"Because if you'd checked the freezer first, we'd BOTH still be alive...!"
What should an Eastern Buddhist say or do then? 😊