Korea Journal of Buddhist StudiesISSN:1598-0642(Print)불교학연구회

Food, clothing and shelter form the requisites of our life. Out of all these necessities, eating well and healthily is the most crucial factor. However, the environmental problems that we are now facing are caused, to some extent, by wrong eating habits. It seems timely, therefore, to consider healthier eathing habits which can help alleviate the environmental crisis. The alms-bowl meal(鉢2盂供養) has four distinct advantages over customary eating routines. Firstly, the alms-bowl meal was introduced not only to provide the nutrition for body, but as matter of the expedients for practice. In the case of the alms-bowl meal, we should regard food consumption asboth a practice that helps atave off hunger cravings and as a method of achieving enlightenment. Secondly, the alms-bowl meal bestrows us with a deeper understanding of nature. We realize that nature and ourselves are not separated but connected in holistic way, especially when we reflect on how the food is prepared and where it came from. This deep understanding of the interrelationship between nature and humanity will perhaps encourage us to refrain from wreaking more damage on environment. Thirdly, the alms-bowl meal will help us helpful to realize that the dignity of life and the reduction in wasteful food on consumption are inseparable principles. Thus, the respect for life will instill in us the importance of organic farming also it will also allows us to open up a new critique upon the links between contamination and excessive environmental pollution. Finally, the alms-bowl meal advices us to eat properly in the middle way(中道). This will help us to maintain a healthy mind and body. After considering these four tenets of alms-bowl eating, it is possible to argue that the Buddhist tradition can offer a healthy alternative to unhealthy modern lifestyles. In addition, although it may at first seem trivial, alms-bowl practice is a good way to kick-start ecological movement in Korea. For these reasons, the Buddhist community should make continuous effort to spread the alms-bowl meal as a popular social movement. Since humanity and nature are in many ways symbiotic, the Buddhist tradition has a lot to say about environment conservation.