I was wondering why someone can’t just say that they should not eat meat versus not eating 荤 (hūn).
What was the difference between the two terms?
Master Sheng Yen has his answer:
Some surprising clarification I got:
- 荤 (hūn) actually refers to food cooked with the five xin (辛) plants (onions, garlic, Chinese garlic, leeks and asafetida)
- thus, 荤 (hūn) can include non-meat dishes.
- “As for not eating fish and meat, the sutras don’t have strict rules about it, but they have strict rules against the five xin” - Master Sheng Yen
- What is the main reason for avoiding the five xin? Their strong odour can be displeasing to others and they can have undesirable effects on one’s emotion.
Now i know!