NOT FASTING BUT ON VEGETARIAN DIET

Hi! I know that my Muslim colleagues, friends and students are on the last two days of their fast and I congratulate all of you for having done so. I am not fasting but have started on my vegetarian diet today.

You see quite a number of Chinese who are of the Taoist faith would opt to go on a vegetarian fast during the Festival of the 9-Emperor Gods. Some do it for 10 days while the rest vow to do it either for 1, 3, 6 or 9 days. Me? I will do it for 3 days.

You might ask, "Why only 3 days?" To answer this question, let me tell you what going on a strict 10-day vegetarian diet means.

It is not compulsory for all devotees to go on this strict vegetarian diet. Most of the devotees do so of their own will. Many people will keep to such a diet in their own homes but there are some who go and live in the temples for that duration.Besides not taking meat, those on such a kind of diet must also refrain from taking butter, milk, eggs and food containing these ingredients. Also aphrodisiacs like chives, garlic, onion and spring onions are included in the list of food not to be taken. Those on the diet are also not allowed wine as from the perspective of Taoism, drinking alchohol retards the human mind.One need not observe the full ten-days of the diet. They have the option to go on a one day, three days or six day vegetarian diet. One must also remember that once one has made a vow to go on that diet for a specific number of days, then the days must be adhered to. However, they can add to the days. Reducing the days would be a sign of disrespect.

BELOW ARE SOME OF THE STIPULATIONS FOR THE STRICT VEGETARIAN DIET

Physical, verbal and mental purification.

• Physical Purification - the devotee should abstain from committing adultery, gambling and any form of violent act, e.g. killing.


• Verbal Purification - this would mean abstainance from taking meat, alcohol and the use of foul or vulgar language.


• Mental Purification - the devotee has to discipline himself/herself to not indulge in thoughts that are deemed lewd and evil.

See! It is not as easy as only taking vegetables as it entails spiritual, mental and other forms of physical purification and abstainance. Preferably, the vegetarian food taken must be as simple as possible as it is to teach us about humility. The Taoists are also encouraged to do more good deeds during this period. I will start with 3 days first and if I feel I am up to it will then continue with 6 days. There I have shared with you one of my religious practices.