
The ghost month in the Chinese lunar calendar is a folk belief. In Buddhism, this same period of time is known for filial piety and auspiciousness. Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital has maintained this tradition of a prayer ceremony for many years. On the evening of August 25, the ceremony took place in the lobby of the hospital. It opened with offerings of light, fruit, and flowers from the Dharma Masters of the Jing Si Abode and staff and management of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital. Everyone paid their respect to the Buddha with the utmost sincerity. After this graceful offering, nutritionists shared ways to practice vegetarian and healthy eating habits, in an event full of fun.
Ms. Huang Jingxiu, nutritionist, gave a presentation about the different sources of protein in vegetarian and meat diets. Beans are the best protein source. A balanced vegetarian diet including all types of nutrition is very healthy. Dr. Lin Mingnan, Chairman of Taiwan Vegetarian Nutrition Society and Deputy Superintendent of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, added that many patients worried that a vegetarian diet would cause malnutrition. “This is a myth and not true. Much research data has proved that a vegetarian diet is good for your health,” he said.

Dr. Yeh Minghsien, a Chinese Medicine physician, became a vegetarian 11 years ago with a sincere vow after participating in the Water Repentance Dharma Service. He pointed out that many people worried that being a vegetarian will weaken their health and develop a cold body type, the term in Chinese medicine for poor immunity. However, a vegetarian diet includes all types of food, from cold, cool and warm to hot types. People only have to be mindful and select a balanced diet. If people worry about becoming a cold body type, they can increase intake of spicy food, such as ginger, nuts, black pepper, aniseed, and cumin, to address their concerns. Taking time to eat meals slowly is also helpful.
Dr. Yeh Changming, a physician of Family Medicine, gave a list of famous vegetarians: Muhammad Ali, professional boxer; Martina Navratilova, professional tennis player; Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize winner for Physics; Thomas Edison, inventor; and Patrik Baboumian, bodybuilder. Their outstanding performances show that a vegetarian diet is good for health. Dr. Zhang Kaijie, a resident physician of Internal Medicine, followed his mother’s lead and has been a vegetarian for more than 10 years. He shared his experience of being a vegetarian and having felt better in body and mind.

Dr. Lai Ningsheng, Superintendent of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, said that, not long ago, he saw on a highway a truck filled with live chickens. These chickens all had their heads down, without energy. They must have known they were going to the end of their life. He could feel the internal anguish of these hundreds of chickens on the truck because the air was thick with despair and helplessness. This was devastating. He wished that everyone stop forming bad affinities with living beings.
Dharma Master Depei from Jing Si Abode reminded the audience that blessing was not something achieved simply by praying. “We have to create our blessings by action and always nurturing a compassionate mind toward people, animals, and all beings. We will have a blissful life when we love all living beings and respect them,” she said.
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