Meal prayer

BonsaiDoug

I've been on the look-out for an equivalent pre-meal prayer like that of "grace" offered by many Christians.

I recently came across this and thought I'd share:

Wisely reflecting I eat this food,
remembering with gratitude where it comes from
and how many people have no food or too little.

Guarding my mind against indulgence,
mindful of each mouthful,
I take into this body what it needs
to support me on the path.

~ Ajahn Jayasaro

RebeccaS

Nice. Thank you

Zayl

That is very thoughtful, thank you.

Sile

Beautiful!

how

This is from a Zen monastery with decidedly Anglican overtones but I think I prefer BonsaiDoug's first version.

I must think deeply of the ways and means by which this food has come.
I must consider my merit when accepting it.
I must protect myself from error by excluding greed from my mind.
I eat, lest I becomes lean and die.
I accept this food so that I may become enlightened.

Vastmind

Rarely do we get to pull at old threads, but this one...yes,
everyone is still here. hahaha
It'll add a little seasoning.

http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/13541/dinner-is-ready

Bunks

I love this - thank you @BonsaiDoug! I have been looking for something like this for a while.

lobster

aware of nourishment
we prepare to eat
aware in body
aware in consuming
we feed our selves in all realms

Can be used during the popcorn offering to Quan Yin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD78nDZROok&sns=em

FoibleFull

That is an excellent prayer, and has the added benefit of not offending any Christians at your table!

I use this one, but I would never say it out loud as grace at a table with non-Buddhists. Unlike your grace, this one would not be suitable in such a situation:

I offer this to the teacher, higher than any other, the Precious Buddha.
I offer this to the protections, higher than any other, the Precious Dharma.
I offer this to the guide, higher than any other, the Precious Sangha.
I offer this to the places of refuge, the 3 Jewels, rare and supreme.

chela

I am new to Buddhism and my husband isn't really where I am yet. So I wanted to choose a blessing that was very simple, yet said enough. I condensed and changed a little of Thich Nhat Hanh's prayer to this:

In this food we see the whole Universe,
the Earth, Sky, and Sun
May we live in a way that is worthy of the gift of this nourishment

BhikkhuJayasara

Theravada monks chant from the reflections on requisites sutta for each meal. For the lunch they also chant puja and metta.

The reflections on requisites goes like this-

I partake of this alms food with mindful reflection, not out of enjoyment or intoxication, or gluttony, nor to make the body attractive, but only for the health and continuation of this body and the living of the brahmacaryia lifestyle, thinking I will destroy old feelings of over hunger, and not create any new feelings of over eating.

sharonsaw

In the gelugpa tradition, we have a dedication prayer before we eat:

Gangchen Shing tai solje Tsongkhapa
Ngotob rigpai wangchung gyaltsab je
Donga Tenpai Dagpo Khedrub Je
Gyalwa Yabse Sunla Chopa Bul

Within the Snowy Land is the chariot leader Tsongkhapa
One who has power & great attainments Gyaltsabje
Master & holder of Sutra and Tantra Kedrup-Je
To the Exalted Enlightened Three Father and Sons, I offer this.

We offer the food to Lama Tsongkhapa, who is the 14th Buddhist scholar and saint who founded the Gelugpa tradition, his two heart sons, Gyaltsab je and Khedrup je.

Cory

Very eloquent @bonsaidoug