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Gāthā for Eating
Washing Vegetables
In these fresh vegetables
I see a green sun.
All dharmas join together
To make life possible.
Looking at Your Empty Bowl
My bowl, empty now,
Will soon be filled with precious food.
Beings all over the earth are struggling to live.
How fortunate we are to have enough to eat.
Serving Your Food
In this food
I see clearly
The presence of the entire universe
supporting my existence.
Looking at Your Plate
This plate of food
So fragrant and appetizing
Also contains much suffering.
The Five Contemplations
Gift
This food is the gift of the earth, the sky, numerous living beings, and much hard and loving work.
Gratitude
May we eat with mindfulness and gratitude, so as to be worthy to receive this food.
Transformation
May we recognize and transform unwholesome mental formations, especially our greed, and learn to eat with moderation.
Compassion
May we keep our compassion alive by eating in such a way that reduces the suffering of living beings, stops contributing to climate change, and heals and preserves our precious planet.
Service
We accept this food so that we may nourish our brotherhood and sisterhood, build our Sangha, and realize our ideal of serving all living beings.
Beginning to Eat
With the first mouthful, I practice the love that brings joy.
With the second mouthful, I practice the love that relieves suffering.
With the third mouthful, I practice the joy of being alive.
With the fourth mouthful, I practice equal love for all beings.
Maintaining Life
In the dimension of space and time
We chew in rhythm with our breath
Maintaining the life of all our ancestors
Opening an upward path for descendants.
In the dimension of space and time
How dreadful that we eat each other
Eating I maintain compassion alive
To take all beings to the other shore.
Body of the Cosmos
The bread in my hand is the body of the cosmos;
The hand holding bread: also the body of the cosmos.
Finishing Your Meal
My bowl is empty.
My hunger is satisfied.
I vow to live
For the benefit of all beings.
Washing the Dishes
Washing the dishes
Is like bathing a baby Buddha.
The profane is hte sacred.
Everyday mind is Buddha mind.
Drinking Tea
This cup of tea in my two hands,
mindfulness held perfectly.
My mind and body dwell
in the very here and new.