mukade@gaijin.co.jp (mukade) wrote in message news:<3279311b.0402082336.3ff4429b@posting.google.com>...
> shibuya@excite.com (wasabi) wrote in message news:<a24d2dae.0402080331.91c428e@posting.google.com>...
> > Brett Robson <jet_boy@deja.com> wrote in message news:<c037u602dkr@drn.newsguy.com>...
> > > On 7 Feb 2004 04:19:15 -0800, wasabi  ...
> >
> > 
> > I've read somewhere that because of Buddhist principles, most monks
> > and much of the populace were vegetarian 
> 
> There has always been a get-out clause where Buddha was said to have
> allowed monks to eat meat that was not killed for them personally.
> 
> What could be better after a long, strenuous bout of chanting than a
> big BSE-don at the local Yoshinoya?
> 
> Mukade

I dunno about beef bowls but the other week I watched some people
practice kyudo (zen influenced archery).  I was struck by how similar
the ritualized movements were similar to golf.  So I did a Google
search on the subject and sure enough this is what I found:

"The golfer with the highest handicap shows the most functional MR
brain activity, a possible indication of the internal "chatter" in his
mind. The more accomplished golfers need less internal coaching,
resulting in decreased brain activity. Without realizing it, perhaps
the professional golfer practices Zen golf: effortless focus applied
without doubt or anxiety, wrote AJNR editor-in-chief Dr. Robert M.
Quencer in an accompanying editorial."

So, although I hate the game (it's too expensive, too time-consuming,
and too boring--and I often lose all my golf balls before I finish a
course) I think I'm going to take it up as a form of meditation to
discipline my mind.