20200206齋戒茹素為根本A Vegetarian Diet—-The Key to Preventing Epidemics
The 2019 novel coronavirus can stay alive on non-porous surfaces for hours. At the right temperatures and humidity levels, it can last for days. For example, at 20°C which is in common conditioned environments, and at a humidity level of 40-50%, the virus can live up to five days.
The novel coronavirus is very terrifying. The outbreak is indeed very serious and the number of infections is still increasing. Everyone is very afraid and worried. The only way we can bring about safety and peace is by being vigilant and sincerely pious by disciplining ourselves and going vegetarian.
The outbreak is said to have stemmed from people’s consumption of wild animals. Yet, domestic animals are also bred and raised for meat, which is very worrying because different germs can be carried in the animals. As long as we do not eat meat, we won’t contract relevant diseases.
Everyone is now nervous about the coronavirus. The only way we can prevent infection is by heightening our vigilance and protecting ourselves By wearing a surgical mask, washing our hands often, and staying away from crowded areas. If we need to visit a crowded area, we must wear a mask and thoroughly wash our hands after that.
Are these protective measures enough? No. It‘s best if we can go vegetarian. Didn’t we suffer from a coronavirus outbreak in the past, too? We can think back to that period of time. Wasn’t the situation of the SARS outbreak in 2003 also very alarming and critical?
At the time, a hospital in northern Taiwan was sealed off due to a SARS outbreak there. Everyone was very nervous. I can clearly remember how our Tzu Chi volunteers were undaunted in their efforts to offer aid. When carrying out their work, they had to protect themselves from the disease.
While few people dared to come near the hospital, our volunteers set up tents outside the hospital to provide care and aid such as offering protective gear to those who wished to visit patients. Those who didn’t dare to visit the hospital would ask our volunteers to find ways to acquire information on the conditions of their families in the hospital.
This was how our volunteers assisted in the relief during the SARS outbreak. They also prepared meals and clothes for those who were isolated inside the hospital. Considering that the patients could not go out, our volunteers also prepared radios for them so they could gain peace of mind by receiving news and other information from radio programs.
We also prepared undergarments for those isolated. This was how we carried out relief back then. Our volunteers across Taiwan all pitched in to help. Volunteers in Kaohsiung even worked together to make isolation clothing.
Although it was 16 or 17 years ago, the memory is still very fresh in my mind. At the time, apart from providing isolation clothing to prevent the spread of the disease, what’s most important, we also promoted vegetarianism as it is one of the best ways to prevent diseases.
As many illnesses come from the food we eat, by eating vegetarian, we will have no concerns about contracting diseases caused by eating meat. We must refrain from eating meat, for we cannot see with our naked eyes what kind of germs it contains.
When people kill animals for meat, they may directly come in contact with the germs, which is also very dangerous. So, the only way to ensure our safety is by eating vegetarian. Grains, vegetables, and fruits are the best and most natural foods that can provide us with sufficient nutrition. May everyone adopt a vegetarian diet as it is nutritious, healthy, and safe.
Everyone, I am grateful for that we’ve been safe and well. Let us give one another encouragement. Our health and safety in the future depends on whether we can remain vigilant and sincerely pious. We must practice vigilant care and sincere piety each and every day.
May we all heighten our vigilance, humble ourselves, and respect others. The coronavirus outbreak might spread even if one shows no symptoms. So, let us not rely on the symptoms; we must remain vigilant at all times. We should respect all life with love.
In the face of the current epidemic, we must quickly cleanse our minds and cultivate ourselves. We must cleanse our minds rather than give in to our desire for meat. We must also keep in check any desire arising from our sense organs. So, when we see or smell a meat dish, we won’t want to eat it.
In a time like this, we must work harder to cultivate a ourselves. I hope we will all take good care of ourselves and walk path of spiritual cultivation even more firmly. May we all safeguard our health. Only then can we and all families enjoy peace and safety.
With sincere piety, we can contain the epidemic. The key to ending the epidemic quickly is for all of us to discipline ourselves, give one another our best wishes and pray with sincere piety. This is helpful and very important. Let us encourage everyone to do the same.
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