Several religions and spiritual traditions discourage the consumption of onions. Here's a breakdown:
Based on the provided reference:
- Some spiritual traditions in the east, such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, discourage the consumption of onion and garlic, along with meat, fish, and eggs. (03-Jun-2023)
Religions That Discourage Onion Consumption
While not a strict prohibition in all branches or for all followers, these religions often discourage the consumption of onions:
- Hinduism: Certain sects and followers avoid onions and garlic due to their perceived stimulating qualities, believing they can distract from meditation and spiritual practice.
- Jainism: Jains are strict vegetarians and avoid root vegetables like onions and garlic because their harvesting can harm small insects and microorganisms in the soil. This aligns with the Jain principle of ahimsa (non-violence).
- Buddhism: Some Buddhists, particularly monks and those focused on intense meditation, may avoid onions and garlic for similar reasons to Hindus, believing they can hinder clarity and mindfulness.
Reasons for Abstaining From Onions
The avoidance of onions (and garlic) in these traditions often stems from:
- Ayurvedic principles: In Ayurveda, onions and garlic are considered tamasic foods, meaning they can increase ignorance, laziness, and attachment.
- Spiritual practice: These foods are believed to be stimulating and can make it more difficult to control desires and maintain a calm and focused mind during meditation and spiritual practices.
- Non-violence (Ahimsa): As seen in Jainism, the concern for minimizing harm to all living beings plays a significant role in dietary choices.
