Buddhism teaches that eating should be done with awareness and gratitude. Awareness that in consuming a meal we are beneficiaries of the planet: it's soil, it's water, the sun which nourishes growth, women and men who plant, cultivate, harvest, and make food readily available. Every meal is a gift given by the planet and by hard working individuals.
This awareness should result in gratitude along with a vow to be worthy of the gift and work to be of benefit to the planet and all on it. We should receive food with joy, with gratitude and with reverence. That's some of the energy contained within the following Buddhist ways of "giving thanks" for a meal:
From The Southeast Asian tradition:
Wisely reflecting I use this food not for mere pleasure, not for fattening, not for beautification, but for the maintenance and nourishment of this body, for keeping it healthy, for helping with the Spiritual Life; Thinking thus, I will allay hunger without overeating, so that I may continue to live blamelessly and at ease.
From The Zen Tradition:
First, let us reflect on our own work and the effort of those who brought us this food.
Second, let us be aware of the quality of our deeds as we receive this meal.
Third, what is most essential is the practice of mindfulness, which helps us to transcend greed, anger and delusion.
Fourth, we appreciate this food which sustains the good health of our body and mind.
Fifth, in order to continue our practice for all beings we accept this offering.
This awareness should result in gratitude along with a vow to be worthy of the gift and work to be of benefit to the planet and all on it. We should receive food with joy, with gratitude and with reverence. That's some of the energy contained within the following Buddhist ways of "giving thanks" for a meal:
From The Southeast Asian tradition:
Wisely reflecting I use this food not for mere pleasure, not for fattening, not for beautification, but for the maintenance and nourishment of this body, for keeping it healthy, for helping with the Spiritual Life; Thinking thus, I will allay hunger without overeating, so that I may continue to live blamelessly and at ease.
From The Zen Tradition:
First, let us reflect on our own work and the effort of those who brought us this food.
Second, let us be aware of the quality of our deeds as we receive this meal.
Third, what is most essential is the practice of mindfulness, which helps us to transcend greed, anger and delusion.
Fourth, we appreciate this food which sustains the good health of our body and mind.
Fifth, in order to continue our practice for all beings we accept this offering.
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