Which ten fasts does the Buddha refer to when he says ten days of fasting?

Observe fasts on the first, eighth, fourteenth, fifteenth, eighteenth, twenty-third, twenty-fourth, twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth, and thirtieth days of each month.

Origin:

It refers to the ten days of vegetarianism and prohibition of slaughtering every month. "Ksitigarbha Sutra: Praise of the Tathagata": "Furthermore, universally, if sentient beings in the future life, on the first, eighth, fourteenth, fifteenth, eighteenth, twenty-third, and twenty-fourth of the month On the 28th, 29th, and even the 30th day, if you can fast for ten days and read this sutra once in front of the images of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and saints, there will be no disasters within a hundred leagues of east, west, south, and north.”

Zhai has nothing to do with vegetarianism. Fasting means not eating after noon, which cannot be said to be no eating after noon, because noon refers to eleven to one o'clock, and fasting means no eating after noon. At home, fellow practitioners observe the eight precepts of fasting, focusing on fasting. Fasting is to cultivate a pure mind. People need to take good care of their bodies. Only when they are in good health can they practice diligently. We understand this fact. If we practice meditation during the ten fast days, our food needs will be reduced, but the nutrients we consume will still be sufficient. If you have too many delusional thoughts and learn to hold the noon, you are asking for trouble. Because you consume too much every day and don't replenish enough, you will get sick and your body will be damaged.

Extended information

Introduction to the history of vegetarian food:

The original Buddhist diet, the most prominent thing in Chinese Buddhism is "vegetarian". During the Buddha's time, since monks were begging for food, monks would accept whatever offerings were offered by lay people. Therefore, the Buddha did not prohibit monks from eating meat. Except for elephant meat, horse meat, dragon meat, and human meat, they were not allowed to eat other meats. As long as they were not killed or smelled, they were not allowed to eat. Both killing and not killing for me (three pure meats) are acceptable (see the Law of Four Parts).

Meat-eating is strictly prohibited in Mahayana Buddhism. "The Bodhisattva Precepts of the Brahma Net Sutra" points out that "you are not allowed to eat the flesh of all living beings, and eating meat will cause immeasurable sins." The "Nirvana Sutra" also says that "those who eat meat will Cut off the seeds of great kindness.” Abstaining from eating and drinking with compassion is a manifestation of compassion for all living beings and the cultivation of Mahayana compassion.

The vegetarian diet of Chinese monks is also closely related to Emperor Wu of Liang who believed in Mahayana Buddhism. In 511 AD, Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty summoned all the monks to swear an oath to abstain from wine and meat forever, and issued a decree to announce that any violator would be severely punished. Thanks to the emperor's promotion, as well as the fact that Chinese monasteries farmed their own food, and the vast manors provided sources of vegetarian food, this religious order reform achieved great results, and the Chinese Buddhist monks still adhere to vegetarianism to this day. In the past, the economy of monasteries was generally poor, and the monks were diligent and thrifty, so they had a lot of pickles. They fasted every day, except for one meal at noon, and mostly ate porridge, accompanied by aged pickles.