Buddhist Meal Prayers

In the Buddhist way, any activity that we underatke is a meditation and this is especially so in preparing food and eating it. Before each meal there is a prayer said that helps to bring our minds out of our narrow ways of thinking and expand it out into the universe and at the same time bringing our awareness to how intimately connected we all really are. When we say these prayers we no longer take our food for granted and eat with an attitude of respect for those who have helped us and also with gratitude. And when we start to eat after bringing this kind of awareness to our full attention, the food tastes delicious!

Here are the prayers that are said before meals at Buddhist temples and monasteries in Japan:

Hitotsu niwa ko no tasho wo hakari, ka no raisho wo hakaru.

First, reflect upon and be grateful to the many people who have labored and undergone hardship to bring to you this food that you are about to eat.

Futatsu niwa onore ga tokugyo no, zenketsu wo hakatteku ni ouzu.

Second, ask yourself whether your behavior has been of merit or your deeds helpful enough to the people you have encountered today for you to deserve the food you are about to eat.

Mitsu niwa shin wo fusegitoga wo hanaruru koto wa, tonto wo shutosu.

Third, receive the food, determined to discipline yourself so as to suppress the Three Poisons of Greed, Anger, and Ignorance that can cloud your innately pure body and mind.

Yotsu niwa masa ni ryoyaku wo koto tosuru wa, gyoko wo ryozen ga tame nari.

Fourth, receive the food with the right purpose, knowing that it is good medicine, relieving hunger and curing physical and mental weaknesses.

Itsutsu ni wa jodo no tame no yue ni, ima kono jiki wo uku.

Fifth, receive the food with the ideal of being mentally and physically strong and attaining the Buddha way.