By Ines Min
Contributing Writer
Seeing Ven. Myoeom makes the growing belief that temple food is the healthiest diet a convincing truth. The 78-year-old has clear, soft-looking skin and she sits comfortably on a thin cushion that would've numbed less healthy people's limbs in less than 15 minutes.
The 2009 Temple Food Festival starts Thursday at the Bongnyeongsa Temple in Suwon, where Ven. Myoeom is head monk. The three-day event ― open to foreigners, diplomats and other visitors ― is an educational venue for the nutritious, all-natural cuisine that recently saw a surge in popularity and catalyzed an abundance of temple stays.
"It's good to try to spread Buddhism through our books and words," Ven. Myoeom said. "But it isn't easy for non-believers.
"They might remember the taste of kimchi they had tried at the temple, but it's rare to come across a person who said they were impressed by the teaching," she explained. "So the idea was: Why don't we spread Buddhism through our diet?"
Buddhist cuisine is unique to each country, so temple food here helps exemplify the qualities of South Korean ingredients. Only local products are used in cooking, following the heritage and traditions of the culture.
Traditional temple food in South Korea is strictly vegetarian and avoids pungent herbs, including garlic, onions and leeks. Vegetables, roots and grains are major components, while seasonings are used sparingly to focus on the natural flavors of each.
"In Japan, although vegetarianism is prevalent, there will always be a piece of meat shared for each bowl," Ven. Myeoeom said. "Japan has a very good temple food tradition."
The vegetarianism comes from the Buddhist belief in "ahimsa," or non-violence.
"It's good to stay away from meats," the monk said. "Unless it's necessary ― there are some illnesses that require the intake of meat."
The nutritional aspects of temple food are shown throughout the numerous benefits it provides, including helping a person keep a healthy weight level.
For the festival, 500 people from across the country have been invited to partake in the festivities, with roughly 200 staying overnight for a full temple stay. During that time, visitors will live and practice the life of a Buddhist monk, including waking early and dining on the unique cuisine.
"We expect the festival to be a monument in spreading Buddhism to the urban area," Ven. Myoeom said about the temple's proximity to Seoul and the status of the traditional food. "To that end, our location is very good."
The importance of temple food in Buddhist life can be seen in the metaphors the head monk uses throughout her speech.
"A loaf of bread is better than the songs of many birds," Ven. Myoeom said, emphasizing the importance of balanced, healthy meals.
"This is another reason to promote Buddhist beliefs through its cuisine," she said. The joy of eating is a prerequisite to being able to start (and enjoy) something else."
"No matter how impressive a teaching is, the words will be drowned out by a person's hunger," the monk said.