The Concept of Rice in Buddhism

Abstract

This article aims to study the history of rice in Buddhism. Rice is one of the staple crops that sustain life. Rice and rice rituals have existed since before the Buddhaís time. It can be seen from the name of King Sakaya that often has the suffix ìotanaî meaning rice. For Buddha attaining the enlightenment, rice is really in need while he tortured himself by fasting. He considered that it was not the way to attain enlightenment, so he returned to eat and finally attained enlightenment. Rice is related to the farmerís way of life as found in the Buddhist scriptures mentioned that a farmer who is a peasant. In the Buddhaís time, to do farming is one of Sakayawongís occupations. Farming, therefore, mostly signifies to Prince Siddharthaís royal family that the dynasties on the father and motherís side had prepared to raise war fighting for water. The Buddha, then, had to go to that site warning his relatives to stop scrambling water for farming.