My guests rightly points out that Monks cannot eat this way referring to our elaborate meal we enjoyed at lunch. The forest of bamboo in Kyoto is a host to a group of selected Monks that offer a taste of vegetarian foods. Of course it is adapted to everyday life for foreigners because the average Monk often works on a tight budget, the monastery cook would have to make the most of with whatever ingredients were available.

Today we enjoyed the delicious meal which ranges in price and taste. Of course the more the courses the more interesting the variation and the more expensive. I am not sure the monks eat peas or if peas are in general a Japanese traditional vegetable but it is found in numerous dishes throughout Japan. I guess I prefer Edamame or broad beans (Soramame) as a substitute but it seems that green peas are sizable and suitable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_cuisine