(V) - Vegetarianism

TYPES OF VEGETARIANISM
There are many types of Vegetarianism out there in the world
1. Ovo Vegetarianism - Eggs without Dairy
2. Lacto Vegetarianism - Dairy without Eggs
3. Ovo-Lacto Vegetarianism - Eggs and Dairy
4. Veganism - No animal material
5. Raw Veganism - Raw vegetables and fruits
6. Fruitarianism - Fruits only
7. Macrobiotic Diet - Seeds
8. Buddhist Vegetarianism - No animal material + "smelly" allium vegetables

Not all Buddhists in the world follow vegetarianism, such as Theravada, Vajrayana and Japanese Buddhists.
Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists are very strict and follows vegetarianism strictly.

THERAVADA
Theravada Buddhists follow the "Triply Clean Meat" rule (三净肉), which consists of following three simple senses; SEE, HEAR, KNOW.
Buddhists are allowed to eat the meat given as long as they:
1. Does not SEE the killing
2. Does not HEAR the killing
3. Does not KNOW who AND how it was killed

Usually, people would offer rice (very common), vegetables and in some occasions, fruits and flowers, but no meat.

In canons, there were no comments in discouraging to eat meat, except for the flesh of:
1. Humans
2. Elephants
3. Horse
4. Dog
5. Snake
6. Lion, Tigers, Leopards
7. Bears
8. Hyena

VAJRAYANA (Tibetan)
Buddhists in Tibet eat meat due to their climate conditions. The climate in Tibet is not suitable for vegetables to grow, thus, there is a shortage in vegetables.

According to the Lankavatara Sutra, vegetarianism is encouraged, and this is seen increasingly more in seniors.

JAPANESE
Although Buddhism was introduced by the Chinese people, Japanese Buddhists follow a more relaxed Mahayana Vinaya. Their diet consists of fish and no other meat nor animal products, a diet called Pescetarianism.

A famous dish called the "shōjin-ryōri" (精进料理), "Devotion Cuisine" in English, is a specifically made for Buddhists, however, it is quite expensive. This cuisine consists of many vegetables and tofu.

5 STRONG SMELLING PLANTS
These plants are avoided due to their smell.
1. Garlic
2. Onions
3. Scallions
4. Shallots
5. Leeks

It was said in the Mahayana Sutra that if:
1. Eaten raw: increase anger tendency
2. Eaten cooked: increase sensuous desires

There was a term, Dukkata, which means "wrong-doer".

There was a story that Buddha was preaching to his disciples when he noticed that one particular disciple was sitting at a far distance. When Buddha asked him to come and sit closer, the disciple shook his head. When the Buddha asked for a reason, the disciple covered his mouth and said, "Buddha, I did not want to sit close as my breath smells really bad as I ate some garlic."

GROWING TREND
More and more Buddhists are following vegetarianism. Why? Killing animals breaks the first precept, "Refrain from killing all sentient beings". By breaking this precept results in tainting one's karma.
If killing is the only option, then have COMPASSION and minimise animal cruelty (animal suffering).
Each vegetables contain nutrients which could fulfill daily requirements.

Ru-Shi Youth Group 2011

Greetings everyone,

Welcome to Ru-Shi Youth Group 2011 blog.

My name is Andy Lieu, and I am one of the two secretaries in the Ru-Shi Youth Group Committee. This is my first year being part of this committee, however, that does not mean that I don't do anything.

As a secretary, my partner and I are responsible for keeping everyone up-to-date with any events that the Ru-Shi Temple, located in Ottoway, and/or the Ru-Shi Committee has arranged for everyone. Not only that, we are also responsible for making sure that there is a place that we can do these FUN activities with everyone.

Although this is my first year in the committee as a secretary, I have learnt many things. I have learnt to be more independent, more confident in my choices, and being able to voice out opinions to everyone, I have learned to hear what other people want to say. I have learnt to love what I do, and I have learnt to do what I love. After much adapting, I was able to balance out the secretary job, volunteering, work and studying times. It may be busy, but I enjoy what I'm doing, and because I am having a fun, I make sure other people can feel what I feel.

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Enough about me...

Weekly, the committee will post blog about the recent class given by the temple's Masters.

We all gather on Friday weekly at 5:30PM.

"Where do we meet?" you may ask.

Well, we all meet at:

University of South Australia (UniSA)

City East

Playford Level 5 Room 33 (P5-33).

Every Friday Dharma Class (FDC), we'll gather together to socialize, play, learn, update, and even meditate! Don't fret, FDC is not on EVERY Friday, we all want our holidays. I'll let all of you know when FDC is on or not.

Everyone's equal and everyone is welcome.

YOU CAN EVEN BRING YOUR FRIENDS IF YOU LIKE!!!

The Dharma Lesson that Master gives is a lesson people can use in everyday life. It's an opportunity that you DON'T want to let it fly past. Don't worry, it's not a "typical lecture" where it's just a one-way conversation. Everyone can learn from him and even he can learn from us.

So, gather your friends, and we'll see you at UniSA in P5-33 on many Friday's.

Yours Faithfully,
Andy Lieu

Secretary of Ru-Shi Youth Group Committee

singing for the deaf.

have you ever wonder how the less capable enjoy what most of us do? for example the deaf enjoy the rhythm and base of dynamite by taio cruz without turning the base volume so loud that u can feel your heart vibrate with it? or some love songs by taylor swift?

or have you ever thought of doing something you like that would change the world? something small, but people world wide would enjoy?? thats what a year 2 teacher did. at the age of 22, she sang for the deaf. and with the help of the internet, she helped the deaf around the world to enjoy what most of us take for granted everyday.

check this link out and you will understand what i am saying =)

sign language opens music world to deaf citizens -ABC news

on a personal note: it all began when i was with someone. this special someone was deaf and have to talk through a interpreter with AUSLAN (australian sign language). i am sure, that most of us have been in a situation where we do not understand what others are saying(including where they are talking bad about you right in front of your face without u knowing it). It was a pretty awkward moment, especially they are moving their hands and arms all around them right in front of you and you don't understand a tiny bit of it. at some point. it made me felt pretty helpless, that although i am suppose to help him, but i can't understand what he's trying to say without the help of the interpreter. it made me wonder, could he enjoy the wonderful sounds of the world? now i know, there are people out there who cares =) how about you? do you care?