1.
vegetarian lunch box; Buddhist-style bento
A boxed meal prepared entirely from plant-based ingredients following the principles of shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), without meat, fish, or strong-smelling vegetables like garlic and onion.
お寺で精進弁当をいただいた。
I had a vegetarian bento at the temple.
駅弁の中にも精進弁当がある。
There are vegetarian bentos among the station box lunches too.
彩り豊かな精進弁当は、野菜だけとは思えないほど満足感がある。
A colorful vegetarian bento is so satisfying you wouldn't believe it's made entirely from vegetables.
Compound of 精進 (Buddhist devotion; abstinence from meat) and 弁当 (boxed meal). This is the bento version of 精進料理 (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), a culinary tradition with roots in Zen Buddhism that has become popular beyond religious contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 精進弁当を予約する: to reserve a vegetarian bento
- 季節の精進弁当: seasonal vegetarian bento
- 精進弁当付き拝観: temple visit with a vegetarian bento included
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Many famous temples in Kyoto and Kamakura offer 精進弁当 to visitors. Unlike Western vegetarian food, traditional 精進 cooking also avoids the five pungent roots (五葷: garlic, onion, leek, chive, and rakkyo). The meals typically feature seasonal vegetables, tofu, and seaweed.
RELATED TERMS:
- 精進料理: Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (the broader culinary tradition)
- 駅弁: station bento, sold at train stations
- 幕の内弁当: makunouchi bento, a traditional multi-dish bento