Question: Why should the five pungent roots (五辛) not be eaten?
Answer: As taught by Śākyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛) in Śūraṅgama Sūtra《楞严经》:
「众生求三摩提，当断世间五种辛菜【大蒜、革葱、慈葱、兰葱、兴蕖】。是五种辛，熟食发淫，生啖增恚。
‘Sentient beings seeking samādhi [i.e. meditative concentration], should sever from the world’s five kinds of pungent root vegetables [i.e. garlic, leek, onion, chive and asafoetida (hing)]. These five kinds of pungent roots, when cooked eaten give rise to lust, and when raw eaten increase anger.
如是世界食辛之人，纵能宣说十二部经，十方天仙，嫌其臭秽，咸皆远离。
Such people of the world, who eat these pungent roots, even if able to preach the twelve divisions’ sūtras [i.e. all Buddhas’ teachings], the ten directions’ heavenly sages will detest their foul stench, with all far departing from them.
诸饿鬼等，因彼食次，舐其唇吻。常与鬼住，福德日销，长无利益。
Many hungry ghosts and others, through them eating next, will lick their lips. Constantly with ghosts dwelling, their blessed virtues will by the day exhaust, for long without benefits.
是食辛人修三摩地，菩萨天仙，十方善神，不来守护。
Of these people who eat these pungent roots, when cultivating samādhi, Bodhisattvas, heavenly sages, and the ten directions’ [i.e. everywhere] good [Dharma Protector] gods, will not come to guard and protect them.
大力魔王得其方便，现作佛身，来为说法，非毁禁戒，赞淫怒痴。
Great powerful demon kings, obtaining this convenience, will manifest by creating Buddhas’ bodies, to come for speaking the [false] “Dharma” [i.e. teachings that distort the Buddha’s true teachings], that slanders the prohibitive precepts, and praises [the three poisons of] lust, anger and delusion [i.e. greed, hatred and ignorance].
命终自为魔王眷属。受魔福尽，堕无间狱。阿难，修菩提者永断五辛。」
When life ends, personally becoming the demon kings’ family members. When received demonic “blessings” exhaust, falling into the Uninterrupted [i.e. Avīci] Hell. Ānanda, those who cultivate for Bodhi [i.e. enlightenment of Buddhahood] should forever sever from these five pungent roots.‘
Related Article:
上求佛道者应当如何饮食？
How Should All Aspiring For Buddhahood Eat And Drink?
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