Abstract
This paper intends to explore the role betel nut plays in the Buddhist world, as well as how Buddhism influenced the development of betel nut culture. According to the extant Chinese texts, Buddhist monks in India, South Asia, Southeast Asia and South China generally perceived betel-chewing as legitimate. However, unless it was for health reasons or at religious rituals, repetitive consumption of betel nut was regarded as inappropriate. Recreational consumption of betel nut was certainly disapproved as well. In fact, there are some accounts indicating that monks in different periods and in different regions had the habit of betel-chewing. At least, several highly-esteemed monks had received offerings of betel nut from their believers.
Betel nut was perceived as a kind of medicine in Buddhist beliefs, and therefore consumption of betel nut in an appropriate amount was deemed healthy. Some monks even used betel nut to prepare medicinal drugs and prescriptions. Betel nut was also used as religious sacrifices and gifts in Buddhism. Buddhist believers were encouraged to offer betel nut in their worship to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and other deities as well as ghosts, or to offer them to the monks and monasteries. Therefore, betel nut was commonly seen in Buddhist temples, and some even had betel nut trees planted. Upon receiving betel nut, monks would also use them as treats for the guests during events of social gathering.
Betel nut and related goods (such as containers) were also used as diplomatic gifts, and were circulated among the Buddhist countries in Asia through acts of tribute or bestowal. As they became immersed in the betel nut culture, Buddhist monks left various types of texts presenting their observations and thoughts about betel nut. These texts can be categorized into: (1) the study of betel nut from philological and naturalistic perspectives; (2) the medical utilization of betel nut; (3) the habitat of betel nut and custom of betel-chewing; (4) the trading of betel nut; (5) betel nut in Buddhist temples.
In fact, prior to the modern era, Buddhist practitioners almost wholly accepted betel nut culture, banning only recreational and erotic use of betel nut while reminding people to consume betel nut in appropriate amounts. On the other hand, Buddhism also contributed to the spread of the betel nut culture. Betel nut can be seen as exotic for the pre-modern Chinese, and the spread of betel nut culture in China almost synchronized with the spread of Buddhism in China. Therefore, Buddhist monks can be assumed to be one of the main proponents of spreading betel nut culture in China.
Keywords
betel nut, Buddhism, medicine, gift, ritual
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