The Vegetarian Festival 2026 (English: Vegetarian festival) is a tradition passed down among Thai people of Chinese descent, especially involving abstaining from meat, commonly called " Je ", which is a core principle of this festival. There are several prohibitions to know to properly observe the Vegetarian Festival practices. What foods are prohibited during the Vegetarian Festival? Follow this article to find out.
The Vegetarian Festival 2026 falls on 10-18 October 2026. Each year, the festival lasts nine days and nights, starting from the first day of the ninth lunar month to the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
Also, " Je " is pronounced in the Teochew dialect, while in Mandarin it is pronounced " Zhai " ( 齋 ) meaning "temple fasting" or observance of precepts, signifying living morally and abstaining from all kinds of meat.
The yellow signs with red characters " Je " or " 齋 " displayed at restaurants during the festival indicate that "this establishment serves no meat or animal products."
1. Five pungent vegetables with strong odors are prohibited:
- Garlic
- Onion
- Chives
- Chinese leek
- Tobacco leaves
2. All kinds of meat are forbidden:
- Pork
- Beef
- Fish
- Crab, shrimp, shellfish
- Any living animal used as food
3. Animal-derived fats are prohibited:
- Milk
- Butter
- Lard
4. Strongly flavored foods are forbidden:
- Very spicy food
- Very salty food
- Very sweet food
- Very sour food
5. Intoxicants are prohibited:
- Cigarettes
- Liquor and beer
- Alcoholic mixed drinks
- Narcotics
Note: There are stricter rules for devout participants, such as avoiding food not prepared by vegetarians and not using shared dishes with meat eaters, among others. Strict vegetarians also avoid eating from utensils shared with meat dishes.
1. Plant-based proteins:
- Textured vegetable protein
- Soy milk
- Firm tofu
- Grains and legumes
2. Plant-based carbohydrates:
- Rice vermicelli
- Noodles
- Fried taro
- Fried tofu
- Fried spring rolls
3. All vegetables and fruits:
- All edible fruits
- All vegetables except the five prohibited pungent ones
4. Plant-derived fats:
- Vegetable oil
- Olive oil
- Sunflower oil
- Avocado oil
5. Vegetarian seasonings:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Vegetarian soy sauce
- Mushroom sauce
For those who want to eat vegetarian food but wonder, "Can I eat eggs during the Vegetarian Festival?" The answer is " No " because eggs are considered a product of living beings, which conflicts with the festival's principle of not eating meat, harming animals, or causing suffering to living creatures. (However, ovo-vegetarians can eat eggs.)
Besides abstaining from meat and prohibited foods to rejuvenate body and mind, those observing the precepts during the 2026 Vegetarian Festival must also maintain moral conduct, observe the Five Precepts, avoid foul language, refrain from slandering others, practice charity to learn selflessness, and cultivate calm emotions throughout the nine days and nights.
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