Why do some vegetarians avoid garlic and onion?

Answer 1

i heard a story about a monk, one of shakamuni's disciples i think. the devil came to him and tried to tempt him with beautiful women and meat. well, it didn't work, and somehow either the tossed meat, or the succubi excretions (poop, pee, spit, ?) grew into five plants: tobacco, onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks. anyway because the devil claimed the rest of humanity would not be so lucky if they comsumed these veggies. So buddhists avoid these plants to help them avoid desires.

the jain buddhists don't eat any underground veggies like onions, potatoes, carrots, because then underground critters might starve..

i can't stand the odor. its so pungent and nasty.

Answer 2

It's usually for religious reasons as far as I know.

Jains avoid root vegetables as part of their religion--something about them containing microscopic life. Not all Jains follow this strictly, though.

People in Hare Krishna avoid onion and garlic because it's "in the mode of passion"--something about a religious idea on excessive sense enjoyment. They don't eat mushrooms either because they are "in the mode of ignorance." I'm not sure I quite understand that, but I know alcohol and drugs are also considered to be in the mode of ignorance. Maybe it's because some mushrooms are poisonous? Just a guess.

Some Muslims say it is offensive to have onion or garlic on your breath before going to a religious service. I don't think this is usually considered a serious offense, though.

Answer 3

This is part of some Buddhist vegetarianism. Wikipedia has a little description of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_cuisine

There are a number of reasons that I've read, but consider this. If you had to meditate for hours in the same place (perhaps in very close quarters to others), or even for many days in a row in the same area, then the taste and smell of these strong flavors would make it hard to concentrate. Especially when they didn't have toothpaste in the old days.

Answer 4

There's a vegetarian restaurant here in NYC that has a list of what they call the "five poisons." Onions and garlic are on there. So is tobacco. I forget the other two, but they don't use any of it in their food (who eats tobacco, anyway?)...I have no idea of the significance.

Answer 5

Some Religous groups avoid them..Some others consider them a Holy Puritant.. such as Eckankar the group I belong to! there may be different Eckankar groups! Well I like garlic and onion especially raw! I take to large thin slices zuchini
put tofu slices and garlic and onion slices in between the slices of Zuchini and eat it.. delicious!
oh according to Eck we must give thanks to the food spirits for our food we partake of!

Answer 6

I think you're thinking about Jains (A religious group in India). I think it has something todo with the fact that they grow underground.
Personally, I'm veggie and not too mad about onions because when you get a ready prepared salad from a supermarket they usually have raw onions in them and in this situation it's the only flavour you can taste.

Answer 7

I'm also veggie and i love garlic i like cooked onions but not raw

Answer 8

OMG Eck? I remember driving in Chanhassen and seeing the Eck Temple, the worldwide headquarters. It's quite beatuiful...

Anyways, some people think that anyting that grows underground can make them sick. (Think bacteria from soil)

Answer 9

Those that avoid it for religious reasons I can understand.

Those that just avoid them have an unrefined palate.

Answer 10

Hi Mrs. Astro, I finally found you!

Here's a wikipedia article for you: