What are the vegetarian food (shojin ryori) traditions in Buddhism?
Shojin Ryori (vegetarian or energy cooking) is the Japanese Buddhist word for the Sanskrit virya, the fourth of the six paramitas. Virya means virility, vigor, strength, energy. Vegetarian cooking is traditionally considered to be the kind of food that best enables one to have energy and vigor to follow Buddhist discipline. Shojin ryori traditionally does not include: eggs, dairy products, garlic, onions, chives or leeks. Shojin-bi are days traditionally set aside to eat vegetarian meals. In Jodo Shinshu vegetarian days are the 16th of each month (when Shinran Shonin died) and the death day (mei-nichi) of one’s immediate family members.
