Are Shaolin Monks Vegans?

"There exist no traditional Vegans in Asia. Veganism is a British invention since 1944. And also. Not all Shaolin monks are strict Vegetarians. The ones living in the temple itself, stick to a special - vegetarian like - diet, that also excludes onion, garlic and ginger. Shaolins outside of the temples usualy keep a white vegetarian diet, influenced by Taoism. Means they especialy avoid red meat of all mammals.

The idea of Shaolins (being Vegans) came up in the 1970 s with David Carradine, who was a Shaolin, but turned Vegan, when he came to Europe."

Francis Xavier

"If you train at a Wushu school around the temple, you will get meat and fish occasionally. You are not an ordained buddhist monk and don’t have to follow all the rules. You can be a lay monk like I was.

When I was at the temple in the 90’s, residents monks were mostly following a vegan diet but sometimes had soup with meat (pork / chicken). I also have been to banquet outside the temple with resident monks and yes, meat was consumed.

Shaolin temple “warriors” monks have an long standing exemption that authorizes them to eat whatever their body needs to stay able to fight. That includes meat and alcohol. The key is moderation."

Fabien Sena