SEAFOOD DINNER TO MARK END OF VEGETARIAN DIET

 Shemon and Li Na

 Li Na and Carol

 Me with my the twins, Shemon and Carol

As a devout Taoist I went on a vegetarian fast as a mark of respect for the 9 sibling deities, for purification purposes and merit-making during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival which lasted for 9 days.  I have been going on this fast since I was 15 years old and believe me, I have been continuously doing so for many, many years.
On Monday I marked the end of the vegetarian fast with my friends, Shemon and Carol at a seafood restaurant at Kampung Cina.  By the way going on a vegetarian fast does not just mean abstaining from eating meat. The diet is entirely vegetables : no garlic, onion, and all those pungent bulbs as they are believed to aggravate craving for pleasure, no diary or egg-based products allowed as these come from animals, thus deemed impure. Those going on a very strict vegetarian diet would make sure that the cooking utensils have not been used to cook meat.   Even the toothbrush should be new and no wearing anything leather, in short all things must not come from animals or contaminated with meat.
There are lots of things that one cannot do during this time.It also involves minding our thoughts and actions. We are also encouraged to do more good deeds during this time to accrue more merits. No alcohol should be consumed and those on this diet should also abstain from sex.