Grateful Eating
The other day at the temple we were talking about food and healthy alternatives for the foods we love but aren’t necessarily good for us. I have a section on the temple web page for some recipes that have been enjoyed by folks here at the temple, some are reasonably healthy others maybe not so much. All of this got me to thinking about how casually we eat.
By casually I don’t mean with leisure, instead I am talking about how mindlessly we sometimes eat. When I was growing up eating a balanced meal meant a good quantity of vegetables, a starch, a meat, and all the milk you could drink. We got plenty of exercise then since all games were out doors and school bussing was not in effect so we walked or rode bicycles.
Growing older, as I got less exercise and the body aged the ability to process things has changed which has caused me to change my eating habits. Currently I am working on replacing my favorite starch, rice, with other things and weaning myself off of most dairy. There are a couple of folks here at the temple who are focusing on other items.
All of this is one aspect of eating more mindfully or more contentiously, tying to eat better foods. Another aspect of eating more mindfully is considering the food itself as well as all the efforts it takes to make it food on our plate.
“When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.” (Chinese Proverb)
There are various prayers available to Buddhists, usually each denomination has one or each temple or practice center has an adopted favorite. In Nichiren Shu ours begins with honoring all the functions in the universe as contributing to both our food as well as our spiritual development. We also cherish the nutrients we receive from the gifts of plants as well as every drop of water.
“The boy lived in another country for a long time, say, for ten, twenty or fifty years. As time passed by, he became poorer. He wandered about all directions, seeking food and clothing.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter IV)
Our personal living circumstances may afford us easy access to seemingly unlimited and varied food, yet that is not the case for everyone. There have been times in my life when making ends meet was extremely tough, having enough food was not always easy, some tough choices needed to be made.
Regardless of our individual circumstances now, we should always be aware of the gift we have received from the earth and from the labors of countless others as well as the gift of our body.
When we can eat with gratitude the odds are we will be more fulfilled with our intake and be more open to appreciating the sufferings of others. Mindless eating is a symptom of mindlessness in other areas.
“May this meal help us maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit in order to uphold the teachings of the Buddha, repay the Four Favors, and perform the pure conduct of serving others.” (from Nichiren Shu Prayer Before Meals)
