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
6 (of 31)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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44
considered self-control or thought and manner of a person with regard to
food consumption. In other words, one must be aware and mindful with
all types of food that enter or are received into both physical bodies; this
is a way leading to great safety in having food. However, this is mere
safety of the physical body. Ian Shaw did not attach special importance to
safety of mentality while touching things.
Being good at the study of food and culture for many years, Kittler
and Sucher's researches on food are as follows:
"Food is integral and universal aspect of human existence. Food is any
substance that provides the nutrients necessary to maintain life and
growth when ingested. 67 Food to ingest is further complicated, however,
by another psychological concept regarding eating - the incorporation of
food. Consumption is understood as equaling conversion of a food and
its nutrients into a human body. For many people, incorporation is not
only physical but associative as well. It is the fundamental nature of the
food absorbed by a person, conveyed by the proverbial phrase, 鈥測ou are
what you eat.鈥� In its most direct interpretation, it is the physical
properties of food expressed through incorporation."68
Kittler and Sucher pointed out the conversion of a food into physical
body and its incorporation after digesting; it is one-sided, without inverse.
Besides, they have only realized the eater who consumes food and that
food assimilates into physical life, and they do not show in the course of
assimilation, also the food devours the eater and there is thus mutual
absorption between them.
69 Different from the standpoints as mentioned, Francine Schiff's
concept of food is food for solitude (alone) as a purpose to heal body,
67 Kittler & Sucher, Food and Culture, USA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2008, p. 1.
68 Ibid.
69 Op. cit.
