Buddhism and Food

         I've often wondered what a typical Buddhist diet consisted of so I decided to research it. I learned that Buddha himself suggested that the monks avoid eating humans, elephants, horses, dogs, snakes, lions, tigers, boars, and hyenas. However, though Buddha advised against the consumption of the kinds of meat listed priorly, there is not said to be any set Buddhist dietary laws. The Buddhist diet differs within each school of Buddhism. The Theravada and Mahayana schools of Buddhism typically refuse to eat meat and fish. Buddhists from China and Vietnam are known to avoid what they consider to be the Five Pungent Spices including garlic, onion, and leek. These Buddhists believe that these foods will increase one's anger and sexual desire. Tibetan buddhists will never consume fish and typically avoid eating fowl. The reason Buddhists avoid different kinds of meat is because it is believed that different kinds of meat can cause different emotions to occur within the individual. For instance, fish is believed to cause aggression, foul is believed to cause desires, and red meat is believed to give birth to ignorance. Many Buddhists choose to be vegetarians on the basis of the first precept which is often interpreted as "do not harm." Additionally, Buddhism is rooted in the notion of reincarnation and the belief that animals can be reborn as humans and vice versa which prevents Buddhists from eating animals.
         Buddha wanted his followers to think about five things while eating, these are known as the "Five contemplations while eating".  Buddhists should only eat if these qualifications can be met. These qualifications include:
1) One considers if one deserves the food.
2) If one's mind is not greedy
3) If the food is a necessity and a healing agent for the body
4) And if the food is eaten for the purpose of part of reaching enlightenment.

Sites Used:
http://www.faithandfood.com/Buddhism.php
http://faithinfood.org/spirituality-food/buddhism/