A Discussion on the Ways of Food Preparation in the Buddhist and Jewish Cultures Essay

In the home, such as Kashrut, the preparation of food so that it is rituallyacceptable, for example Kosher foods. Foods containing milk are never mixed withmeat, nor eaten at the same meal. The weekly Sabbath is observed in the home,and begins with a women of the house lighting Sabbath candles. Observant Jewsrecite blessings before eating over wine, bread and other foods. In Buddhistreligion author Gary Miles of the book All About Buddhism emphazises mostly onthese points, monks and nuns lead simple, strict lives, studying the sacredtexts, learning to chant and meditate and helping in the daily running of themonastery. Some also work or teach in the local community. The monks and nunsobey a set of monastery rules called vinaya. Many monasteries have 227 rules,but the number can vary. The rules include the Ten Precepts, which the monks vowto keep. These are the five precepts which ordinary Buddhists follow 1.) Not toharm or kill any living thing 2.) Not to steal or take anything that is notfreely given. 3.) To control sexual desire 4.) Not to tell lies 5.) Not to drinkor take drugs Together with five extra rules not eating after midday, notsinging or dancing in a frivolous way, not to wear perfume or jewlery, notsleeping on a bed and not taking gifts or money. As part of their simplelifestyle, these monks in Thailand have only 2 meals a day. The first is eatenearly in the morning, at about 7am. The second must be eaten before noon. Themeals are made up of food placed in the monks alms bowls that morning by thelocal people. After this the monks fast until the next morning, with only wateror tea without milk or sugar to drink. This teaches them self-discipline andhelps them to train their minds....