International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Ecological Nutriments in Buddhism: An Exploratory Study

This paper deals with dietary choices mentioned in Buddhist literature. It attempts to provide a conceptual structure to capture the phenomenon of food and values, prescriptions, taboos and ideals that are associated Buddhism. By exploring doctrinal and practical aspects of food in the teachings of the Buddha and subsequent Buddhist literature this paper argues that the concept of food has been an organic part of Buddhist values. It has also been demonstrated that Buddhist teachings and practices are not obsessed with a particular variety of food. Instead, food was seen as a choice of human beings and less to do with the path of spirituality. This study is useful in the contemporary context wherein food choice emerged as a site for conflict among different groups all over the world. This study is essentially a historical commentary on Buddhist ethics in the domain of food.