Is There a Special Zen Diet?

The simple answer would be no, as this would beresentment and anger. The chemical changes
a contradiction in terms. As soon as you putproduced in the body by these impure vibrations
forward the idea of a Zen diet you enslavehave the power to poison food handled by such
yourself to it. The main premise of Zen teachingspeople, and can cause reactions in people who are
is freedom to accept or reject withoutsensitive to these, such as stomach upsets and
compulsion or remorse. In this way there couldsimilar ailments. This is why in Zen monasteries
never be a Zen macrobiotic, or any other type ofthe only people who are allowed to prepare and
Zen diet. It is one thing to say that it is easier tohandle food are those whose minds are purest.
discipline oneself in Zen and come to awakeningIf you cannot know the mental state of a cook
when your basic vitality is strong, and a moderateor shift in a restaurant, it is good spiritual practice
diet of nutritious, unrefined, and unprocessedto avoid ordinary restaurants whenever possible.
foods will help bring this about. It is quite anotherYou would do well to eat at restaurants run by
to insist upon a Zen diet.spiritual groups, as when food is seen as an
It's surprising how few people are aware thatoffering it is prepared and served with love and
even good food can be harmful when if it preparededication, and therefore becomes infused with
and served by a person who is anxious or fearful,these pure energies.
or whose mind is currently dominated by