Vegetarianism has existed since ancient times, and it was very popular before Buddhism was introduced to China. In ancient times, vegetarianism was not because the economy was backward and there was no meat to eat. We had to wrap our stomachs with melons and vegetables. However, at that time, the concept of "nourishing, helping, benefiting and supplementing" appeared, and it was advocated that "five grains are nourishing and five fruits are helping". This is recorded in detail in the earliest medical classic Huangdi Neijing. But the main reason is the influence of Laozi and Zhuangzi's philosophy of "governing by doing nothing". A large number of recluse scholars advocate nature, and think that eating meat makes people angry, and vegetarianism makes people angry. Pursue clean air and vigorously pursue the principle of vegetarianism.
Vegetarianism is a good thing. But when it developed, it was possessed. Obviously, nothing should go too far. It is recorded in Hanshu that there was a man named Zhou Ze, who was a vegetarian and fell ill due to malnutrition. His wife blamed him for torturing himself like this. Hearing this, Zhou Ze flew into a rage. Immediately, he sent his wife to prison on charges of "violating the fasting ban". This was a big crime at that time, but now it is probably similar to "seriously undermining social order". As for "confinement, I don't want to", I'm going to kill my head. What is the crime of confinement? You'll never guess without detailed research. It's actually quite funny, but I accidentally farted when I was a vegetarian. I'm afraid no one expected to be beheaded for farting.
The fine tradition of vegetarianism was later taken away by Buddhism introduced from abroad.
Monks can eat meat. The Buddhist sutra "Guang Jie Jing" makes it very clear that there is no vegetarian rule in Buddhism. Buddhists are forbidden to eat "meat". This kind of meat is not our current concept, but refers to animal food such as chicken, duck and fish. The meat we are talking about now is called "fishy" in Buddhism, not "meat". The word hun is not pronounced in Buddhist scriptures, but should be pronounced smoked, which means smoked vegetables. Meat stinks of vegetables. The Brahma Sutra is more specific: "If the Buddha is not allowed to eat five spices. Garlic, onion, scallion, scallion and apricot koji are five kinds of vegetables. The word "meat" comes from grass head rather than meat, which shows that the original meaning of meat is plants rather than animals. As for why meat changed from a plant to an animal, it is unclear in a few words, and I will introduce it separately later. Buddhism believes that eating meat dissipates popularity, destroys sincerity and is difficult to communicate with gods, so it is strictly forbidden. I went to the temple twice to eat vegetarian dishes and saw onions and garlic in the dishes. It can be seen that the monks in the temple have not yet understood the Buddhist scriptures. So many fasts are for nothing.
Whether a monk can eat meat or not is treated separately according to different situations, without generalizing. Buddhism is divided into Mahayana and Hinayana. Mahayana is a means to measure people wholeheartedly, so you can't eat any meat. Self-sufficient but not self-sufficient Hinayana people are allowed to eat three kinds of "clean meat" ("three clean meat" means "I can't see the killer; Second, I don't smell the murderer for me; Three suspects who kill people without paying for their lives "). For "sick monks", that is, sick monks, all kinds of meat can be eaten by implementing humanitarian policies and special care. Now, foreign monks from Indian and Sri Lankan countries, as well as monks from Mongolian, Tibetan, Dai and other ethnic minorities in China are allowed to eat meat.
When Buddhism was introduced into China, it was too late to form the characteristics of China. So monks could still eat meat at that time. Monks are not allowed to eat meat, which was first proposed by Xiao Yan, the Emperor of A Liang in the Southern Dynasties, more than 400 years ago.
In the history of China, Xiao Yan can be regarded as the most lovely emperor. He believes in Buddhism and calls himself a "Sambo slave". I want to become a monk, and I think it's crazy. Unexpectedly, he left his post four times, ran to Tongtai Temple, gave his body to the temple and became a monk. An emperor gave up all his legitimate rights and interests, even his body, and became the temple property of Tongtai Temple. Of course, he will no longer run the court. But at that time, there was no deputy emperor who could act as the emperor's authority according to law when the emperor could not perform his duties. At that time, there was no temporarily appointed deputy cadre, and no one could be emperor unless Xiao Yan died. "A country can't live without a monarch for a day", and things are simply troublesome. I don't know how many conferences and meetings have been held and how many urgent consultations have been held. The only way to discuss and study is to redeem the emperor. So he immediately raised cash from the state treasury and asked Tongtai Temple to discuss the purchase. Tongtai Temple is profitable and certainly cooperates. Finally, according to the principle of market economy, Xiao Yan was repurchased through equivalent exchange. Immediately restore his personal sovereignty and let him continue to hold leadership positions. Xiao Yanyi gave his life, but the level was too high, and he still couldn't control himself. Time and again to generate income is beneficial to Tongtai Temple. If Xiao Yan is not infinitely loyal to the Buddhist cause, if others do so, it can only be regarded as a kickback.
Xiao Yan couldn't put down a volume of Nirvana Sutra, which he knew by heart. Scripture stipulates: "Do not kill". Xiao Yan believes that if you kill things, you can't completely control them, but you still have to catch them fundamentally. Learn to use it, just don't eat meat! You can't eat meat. What's the use of watching you kill people? Once a decision is made, act immediately. Urgent message: Subjects advocate vegetarianism. Monks are not allowed to eat meat. The ancestors of the god of heaven and earth enjoyed the treatment of monks. What is monk treatment? That is, the ancestors who sacrificed to the gods of heaven and earth were not allowed to use three pig heads, all of which were replaced by pig heads made of flour. As soon as the golden mouth is opened, there is no argument. For a time, vegetarians "registered in the world, and a small part went to half."
It can be seen that monks are not allowed to eat meat, which is completely a rule evolved from Xiao Yan's view of "not killing"