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What do Monks Eat?
Chrysalid
Veteran
Typically I mean, I'm not after extensive lists.
I'm reading Old Path, White Clouds and the daily begging trip is frequently mentioned, but I have no idea what to picture in my head. I haven't a clue what size the bowls would be, or the likely contents that they would receive. I'm guessing that if it had to last the whole day, the bowl would be quite sizeable?
What do monks eat in modern traditions? I'm aware that some eat only one meal in the morning as the Buddha did, but do different schools have different rules regarding food?
I'm reading Old Path, White Clouds and the daily begging trip is frequently mentioned, but I have no idea what to picture in my head. I haven't a clue what size the bowls would be, or the likely contents that they would receive. I'm guessing that if it had to last the whole day, the bowl would be quite sizeable?
What do monks eat in modern traditions? I'm aware that some eat only one meal in the morning as the Buddha did, but do different schools have different rules regarding food?
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That's the approximate size, and a monk is not allowed to ask for specific types of food. A monk must eat whatever is offered without complaint.
I have heard that life in some monastries is quite different. A variety of food is laid out and the monks help themselves - self service. Some lay people also offer meals such as McDonalds burgers, KFC, etc... But still, the meal for the day is eaten before midday.
Some Zen sects are different. If you bring beef or pork to a korean temple, they will refuse it. But then again, you should already know not to do that, so it hardly ever happens.
That's sort of how it is all around, but at the same time refusing a meal offered is frowned upon.
'Cause if they all ate the same food, it wouldn't go as far, and they'd probably all get really skinny
This was my experience in Korea. We had chefs in the kitchen, and the food was generally really, really good. before I left, I ate meat with every meal, and honestly, short of the lack of protein, if I could have meals like that every day, I'd easily become vegan. we also ate three times a day.
In begging cultures, it makes more sense to eat twice a day; it takes time to go out and beg. That's not how it is in most countries in the Mahayana tradition. TETO.
as to seeker, I ate meat at Hwa Gye Sa more than a few times when I was there...maybe whether or not meat is allowed is dependent on the head monk or abbot? (to be fair, the meat we ate was after hours, not prepared at the cafeteria. I actually had time one day to go to Itaewon and pick up some quizno's! I remember the head monk asking me "Why don't Korean restaurants have food like this!?")
I suppose they anticipate that no one will become attached to the paste hahaha
More here ....
... and, as others have said, the monks' lifestyle varies from tradition to tradition; and perhaps monk to monk. And I think, change is unavoidable, things are not the same now as they were in the Buddha's time. But what always remains the same is the Buddha's teaching of suffering (dukkha), its causes, its cessation, and the way that leads to its cessation (8FP).
Let me stop here... I seem to be going off topic.
My only experience is that the temple had a fine kitchen, the monk in charge of the kitchen used whatever was in season and could be bought cheaply and in large quantities, and the monks ate what anyone else in the area would eat. Rice seems to be universal, because it's cheap, easy to fix, and very filling.
The notion that all monks spend half their day wandering the streets with a begging bowl is wrong. Probably the only universal is that monks are supposed to eat when the temple tells them to eat, and be thankful and mindful of what they are eating.
.... wait for it....
monk fish?
From some people from other traditions that go on alms rounds, yes probably, but not internally to that particular tradition.
I don't know, but if Seung Sahn found it you would probably get hit with a stick...30 times...
Thank you for sharing that quote.
Very insightful.
I have very little respect for Seung Sahn. The the guy, from what I understand, would feed peoples delusions more than help them with Koan practice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seung_Sahn#Criticisms
I think your comment was in jest, but I take my relationship with my teacher very seriously, and am incredibly thankful that he is much more concerned with koan practice than about whether or not we eat meat.
I have read the criticisms, but I also know that The Jogye Order granted him the title of "Dae Soen sa Nim", the utmost highest title the order can grant. I doubt they would do that if all he did was feed people's delusions. I have seen the criticisms, heard the rumors and found them to be irrelevant. I have also met him personally. Had koan interviews with him personally and he was a very nice guy and a very good teacher. Also, whoever brought meat to Hwagyesa temple was breaking the rules, because that is officially prohibited in all Jogye temples. Some monks may have eaten it yes. I have also seen monks sneak out to the bar and get drunk... Being concerned about food does not detract from proper teaching. Heck, Thich Nhat Hanh's temples/centers are completely vegan...
Sorry... someone had to say it! :rolleyes:
Don't ever underestimate the ability of large organizations to appoint people to the highest ranks based on politics instead of ability; it's one of the reasons Hyon Gok Sunim, and my own teacher, don't affiliate with them outside of Korea
anyways, I'm hijacking the thread
tl;dr monks eat what monks eat.
A very unskillful posting on your part. Please do not criticize other Buddhist's revered founders.
And please don't use wikipedia as an authority on anything since anyone can post anything there with no regard to truth. The article you linked to is obviously biased. In fact, it is full of lies and innuendo, nameless people being quoted.
Some years ago Master Seung Sahn was the victim of a smear campaign by irresponsible book authors and some people who thought his attempt to create a western style Zen school was blasphemy. Accusations were made and words were put into his mouth that were so unlike what he had ever said, they were unbelievable and eventually the slander went away.
As pointed out, Master Seung Sahn was some years later awarded the highest honor by another ancient, honorable, and traditional Zen school. If the accusations were true, that would never have happened.
I've got a million of 'em! Remember, tip your waitress. I'm here until Thursday
I would completely disagree with you. If you don't want me to quote wikipedia, I can always use my own experiences with Kwan Um people. not to mention the fact that the Jogye order gave him some award says nothing of the award itself; many of the monks in the Jogye order don't practice hwadu (koan) at all. In fact, out of all the monks that were at the temple I stayed at, which was probably between 15 and 20, 3 of them (one of which was russian) would be practicing with us at any given time. And that doesn't even mention the fact that the Jogye order sends completely untrained "missionaries" out to the world en mass.
Like I said earlier, never underestimate the ability of large organizations like the Jogye order to appoint people to positions, or give awards to, due to politics instead of ability. if that upsets you, stay at a Jogye temple and see for yourself how things are.
I have no problem with understanding about temple politics. I am concerned that your judgemental attitude means your own Teacher is passing on bad teaching. More likely you still have to work on that part of the 8-fold path. I have my own problem areas.
Anyway, I would be much skinnier if I'd stayed in Korea. I hated Korean cooking. I don't like seafood and sticky rice can only get a person so far.
If you want to call my own personal assessment of the interactions I've had with the Kwan Um students in Korea, and the Jogye order judgmental, then I guess you're correct. of course it's judgmental! it's my experience! trying to get rid of your own experience is nonsense. I'd wonder why you're so upset about someone criticizing a "founder." if someone criticized my teacher, I'd laugh them off.
Not to mention he has never said a word about Kwan Um. it's been my own experiences with them that have led me to my conclusion.
that doesn't make it any less legit.
[1] The Morning Alms Round
[2] What do Monks Eat for Breakfast