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Mealtime Ceremonial

Serene Reflection Meditation (Soto Zen) has always emphasized the spiritual significance
of the preparation of food and of eating, and in our temples there is a mealtime ceremony
that is designed to foster mindfulness and gratitude in taking food in a meditative manner.

The important thing is to follow the spirit of the ceremony rather than be attached to its external form.

In many circumstances it would be impractical or inappropriate to do the full ceremony.
The last part of this ceremony is called The Five Thoughts: they are often used in
informal situations to cultivate respect and appreciation for the food that sustains life.

Sometimes one recites the verse aloud with the hands in gassho;
on other occasions it is more appropriate to recite it silently to oneself.

The Five Thoughts

We must think deeply of the ways and means by which this food has come.

We must consider our merit when accepting it.

We must protect ourselves from error by excluding greed from our minds.

We will eat lest we become lean and die.

We accept this food so that we may become enlightened.

There is also a short verse which can be recited at the end of a meal,
expressing how a Buddhist trainee lives in the world without being caught
up in the mind of grasping:

Closing Verse

The universe is as the boundless sky,

As lotus blossoms above unclean water;

Pure and beyond the world is the Buddha Nature of the trainee;

O Holy Buddha, we take refuge in Thee.