Meal Verse

[Myosha]

When thinking, chant. When not thinking, chant. When not chanting, chant.

[Heion]

I have always loved this meal gatha from Thich Nhat Hanh and the first line forms the essence of my visualisation:

This food is the gift of the whole universe - the earth the sky, and much hard work.
May we eat in mindfulness so as to be worthy to receive it.
May we transform our unskillful states of mind and learn to eat with moderation.
May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness.
We accept this food to realize the path of understanding and love and joy.


Gassho,
Andy

I really like this verse. I just now said it before drinking my green tea and I plan on making a habit of saying this before every meal! It really makes you reflect on the impact of food on different cultures. It seems here in America (and in industrialized nation) no one cares what they eat as long as they can gorge themselves, as in a 3rd world country people are grateful to get a slice of bread.

It really shows me how little gratefulness I have given to my nourishment.

Gassho,
Alex

[Kaishin]

P.S. Here is the version I use on many occasions around others that is less Buddhist-y (doesn't use words like sangha, dharma etc) :P

"With gratitude to all those past and present whose efforts brought this food to our table, we pause to consider whether our thoughts, words, and actions are worthy of its benefits. In return for this sustenance, we vow to help all those in need with wisdom and compassion"

[Seimyo]

I like it Kaishin. Thank you.

Gassho.
Seimyo

[Kyonin]

P.S. Here is the version I use on many occasions around others that is less Buddhist-y (doesn't use words like sangha, dharma etc) :P

"With gratitude to all those past and present whose efforts brought this food to our table, we pause to consider whether our thoughts, words, and actions are worthy of its benefits. In return for this sustenance, we vow to help all those in need with wisdom and compassion"

We should see how to implement this to our practice!

Thanks, Kaishin.

Gassho,

Kyonin

[threethirty]

"With gratitude to all those past and present whose efforts brought this food to our table, we pause to consider whether our thoughts, words, and actions are worthy of its benefits. In return for this sustenance, we vow to help all those in need with wisdom and compassion"

I also dig this more inclusive version, I will have to remember it when I am in company that would appreciate it

[lobster]

May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness.
We accept this food to realize the path of understanding and love and joy.

I am pretty certain cake is both nourishing and prevents illness.
I am sure it is in the sutras . . .

Mindful trifle eating is love and joy.

[Myoku]

Thank you everyone,
that was very helpful for me.
Gassho
Myoku

[Joyo]

I have always loved this meal gatha from Thich Nhat Hanh and the first line forms the essence of my visualisation:

This food is the gift of the whole universe - the earth the sky, and much hard work.
May we eat in mindfulness so as to be worthy to receive it.
May we transform our unskillful states of mind and learn to eat with moderation.
May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness.
We accept this food to realize the path of understanding and love and joy.


Gassho,
Andy

This is a beautiful meal verse, I have never done this before but I think I will start.

[YuimaSLC]

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 eat least we become lean and die
We accept this food so that we may become enlightened


Recited this verse so many times, so many years, that it is difficult to adopt another version; though I'm trying to use the one provided in our ceremonial/verse packet.

The verse above isn't a very eloquent verse in non-Buddhist environs (as I tried it once for Thanksgiving Day), and it seems more direct to training (either priest or lay) in a monastic setting. The fourth remembrance is especially poignant inasmuch as it recognizes food as medicine....essential life-giving nutrient.....enough to provide stability in health. That's it! The rest is, well, poetic at best, superfluous and damaging at it's worst.

I, too, appreciate the Thich Nhat Hanh version, but I think it suffices to say that "we accept this food to realize the way" The rest is just some of Rev. Hanh's favorite words.