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COMMON RESTRICTIONS

Regarding the avoidance of garlic among Singaporean Buddhists, it is grounded in the principle of steering clear of the 'Five Pungent Vegetables' (Chinese: 五辛, pinyin: wǔ xīn). This category typically includes garlic, onions, chives, leeks, and shallots. The belief is that the consumption of raw pungent vegetables may incite feelings of anger, while the consumption of cooked pungent vegetables may potentially trigger a sense of lust.

Remarkably, despite these restrictions, Buddhists can still savour a variety of flavourful ingredients. Commonly embraced items include chili, peppercorn, and ginger, making it easy to find vegetarian restaurants in Singapore offering dishes like curry and even mala!

Milk, being devoid of life and unrelated to any act of killing, is generally fit for consumption. However, some Buddhists choose to abstain from consuming milk, potentially due to reasons such as lactose intolerance or personal beliefs. Fortunately, Asia, especially Southeast Asia, boasts a robust tradition of incorporating plant-based milk. Soy milk and coconut milk, for example, are seamlessly integrated into various dishes or served as beverages. Noteworthy Chinese desserts like Bobo Chacha and Gingko Barley default to being coconut-based and soy-based, respectively.

In contrast to milk, Buddhists adhere to a prohibition on alcohol consumption. This abstention is imperative because alcohol intake can lead to car accidents, reckless behaviour, and even jeopardize an individual's well-being. True abstinence from intoxicants extends beyond refraining from alcohol; it also encompasses avoiding drug use. The reason lies in the broad definition of 'drugs,' which includes 'alcohol.' In reality, the harm caused by drugs can surpass that of alcohol. Individuals who engage in drug use often experience a decline in mental faculties, fostering a reluctance to work or strive for improvement and ultimately leading to the disintegration of families and fortunes. Numerous heinous crimes find their roots in these detrimental consequences.

Now, turning our attention to eggs: while some individuals refrain from eating them due to the belief that eggs can potentially give rise to chicks, thereby involving the taking of life, others contend that modern eggs, especially those from commercial egg-laying chickens, are unfertilized and consequently lack the capacity to hatch into chicks, rendering them acceptable for consumption.

However, in the context of Buddhist precepts, the principle of 'avoiding suspicion' encourages practitioners to refrain from actions that may provoke doubt or criticism from others. Imagine a scenario where a monastic feels compelled to explain every time they choose to abstain from eggs, providing details like, 'The eggs I consume are not fertilized, lack life, and come from commercial egg-laying chickens.' Would this not potentially invite unnecessary challenges? Therefore, practitioners should adhere to a set of guiding principles to inform their decisions regarding dietary practices.

Notably, there are still a lot of flavorful ingredients that Buddhists can consume. Chili, peppercorn, and ginger are some common ingredients that come to mind. Hence, you can easily find vegetarian restaurants in Singapore that serve curry and even mala!  

Eggs are also generally avoided for the same reason that meat is. However, this restriction does not extend to animal milk. Yet, there are still some Buddhists that refrain, likely due to lactose-intolerance or even just personal belief. 

Luckily for them, Asia, especially Southeast Asia, has a rich history of using plant-based milk, so soy milk and coconut milk can be easily found in dishes or served as beverages. For example, common Chinese desserts like Bobo Chacha and Gingko Barley are coconut-based and soy-based (respectively) by default.  

While not mentioned, another common restriction is alcohol. Drinking is discouraged, and intoxication is frowned upon. This is because drunkenness impedes mindfulness. So, it is best to drink in moderation or not drink it at all. However, there are exceptions. Alcohol used in trace amounts, especially for health reasons, is allowed.  

MEAT SUBSITUTIONS

When it comes to soy, another widespread application is in crafting mock meat. While delving into the various reasons why people choose to incorporate mock meat into their diets deserves a separate discussion, it's undeniable that, love it or hate it, this soy-based alternative has become a staple in many vegetarian restaurants in Singapore.

For those seeking alternatives, mushrooms emerge as another prevalent substitute. Mimicking the texture of meat, mushrooms provide a chewiness that is often elusive in vegetables. Moreover, they stand out as a rich source of umami, imparting a distinctive flavor to any dish.