Essay name: Ahara as depicted in the Pancanikaya
Author:
Le Chanh
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages
This critical study of Ahara (鈥渇ood鈥�) explores its significance in Buddhism, encompassing both physical and mental nourishment. The Panca Nikaya, part of the Sutta Pitaka, highlights how all human problems, including suffering and happiness, are connected to Ahara. Understanding this concept is crucial for comprehending and alleviating suffering, aiming for a balanced, enlightened life.
Chapter 2 - Concept of Ahara in the works of modern scholars and other religions
1 (of 31)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Chapter Two CONCEPT OF 膧H膧RA IN THE WORKS OF MODERN SCHOLARS AND OTHER RELIGIONS It is said that food (膩h膩ra) is an inseparable and indispensable part of human life. With changing stages in human civilization the concept of food, too, has undergone accordant changes. From its unrefined form in the primitive age to its present refined form, food culture has constantly progressed. Two major facets of the food culture however, can be said to have remained more or less constant. Firstly, food comes from nature. Nature is one and the only source of most of the foods that are later processed to suit the taste and the digestive system. Nature implies mainly the environment and bio-diversity around us. Availability of food varies according to diverse regions. Secondly, in every culture certain beliefs, ideas or concepts are associated with food peculiar to that culture. Thus, food is never a mere means of sustenance but a mirror, which reflects the pattern of thoughts and beliefs of that culture and vice versa. 51 This chapter focuses firstly on a survey of modern researches and
studies by modern scholars on the Buddhist concept of 膩h膩ra. Secondly
the concept of 膩h膩ra in different religions such as Hinduism, Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam, in which in the concept of each religion, foods will
be mainly examined through the beliefs and food practices of the forms of
taboo, symbols, rituals, fast, and diet will be surveyed in this chapter.
51 Source: http://foodandculture.blogspot.com/.
