In order to pursue immortality, Taoism regards vegetarianism as a science. Taoism believes that all sentient beings are alive, flying and crawling, and cannot kill, and abstinence from meat is an extension of abstinence from killing. In addition, the reason why Taoism wants to "cross the valley" is because whole grains are harmful to human body. Then, since even the whole grains are harmful, not to mention pungent things, according to Taoist theory, whether you want to become immortal or live forever, you need to fast. Therefore, vegetarianism has naturally become one of the precepts of Taoism.
Among Taoist precepts, the formation of vegetarianism is partly influenced by Buddhist precepts, but it also has its own origin. Before the Northern and Southern Dynasties, there seemed to be no strict vegetarian precepts in Taoism, or there were such regulations, so most Taoist priests did not observe vegetarianism. So many Taoist priests take the lead in drinking and eating meat. In the Northern and Southern Dynasties, when Lu and Kou Lianzhi began to rectify and reform Taoism, they particularly emphasized that Taoist priests must abide by the precepts of not eating meat. After the Tang Dynasty, the Taoist vegetarian diet became a basic commandment, which should not be violated. Even in the national laws of the Tang Dynasty, it was stipulated that Taoist priests and monks were not allowed to eat meat, and violators would be punished.
Among the various factions of Taoism, Quanzhen religion, which takes penance as its responsibility, practices vegetarianism most thoroughly, and its Taoists' dietary customs are vegetarian and eat less. The main reasons are as follows: first, Quan Zhen believes that all living beings should not kill, and abstinence from meat means abstinence from killing. It is also the pursuit of natural ecological balance. These are also for keeping precepts. Second, it is conducive to health and longevity, with the aim of pursuing immortality. Third, it is important to eat less. Eating too much will not only affect health and body shape, but also affect spirit and mood. They all agree with the Taoist technique of breaking the valley, and think that it is beneficial to clean the stomach, block filth and reduce the load of digestion and transformation function, so as to rest the internal organs and promote enlightenment.
In Taoism, vegetarianism is called "fasting", and Taoist vegetarians are called fasting halls. There are three main types: connecting hall, hall and lobby. It is impolite to go to the fasting hall at will and use fasting. After fasting in the hall, the fasting is arranged outside the fasting hall, and the clothes must be neat. Fasting in the lobby means picking up the Jade Queen on the 24th night of the twelfth lunar month until the end of fasting on the fifth day of the first month.
In addition, every time before meals, Taoist priests should provide food first, and after meals, they should also provide food for ordinary gods, people and ghosts, in order to form a "tripartite relationship."
All of the above are intended to present a picture of Taoist life in practice for those who want to embark on the road of "unity of humanity". Let them know the road of Taoist practice from one or more aspects of Taoist life. For those who want to practice, this is the first step and the most basic step on the road to practice.