PROMOTING NUTRITION TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF MONKS ACCORDING TO THE BUDDHIST DISCIPLINES

Abstract

         This article aims to study nutrition in relation to health promotion of monks according to the Buddhist disciplines. The results showed that Buddhism pays attention to promoting physical health. As physical health is related to lifestyle. and the conduct of chastity. Promoting nutrition is purposely to strengthen the body, to have less affliction, and to support the conduct of chastity. Nutrition in Sangha disciples is consistent with the promotion of nutrition according to the 5 main food groups, namely; The Lord Buddha allowed to have some meat, fish, grains of rice, flour, sugar, taro, potatoes, all kinds of vegetable, fruit and juice, and even fats and oils of plants and animals, which all this food organized into 5 main food groups according to nutrition principles. Besides there is also nutrition practiced through the Buddha's commandments regarding seeking, eating, and time allowed in the code of etiquette which is consistent with the principles of health promotion in the field of drinking water. There are Buddhist ordinances concerning the cleanliness of water sources. and filtering clean water before drinking. As for promoting the health of monks in the current society, temple man and woman (Tayok and Tayika) should be a source of promoting the health of monks by offering food that is beneficial to them. They also should change their consumption behavior by reducing risky behaviors such as coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks and cigarettes, etc. Even the monks can't specify that their relatives offer food, but they can choose food that is beneficial to health by using the principle of Abhāpaccaveka and the Bhochanemattanyuta.