Taking a Meal in Awareness

Taking a meal is a very happy occasion.
It gives us great satisfaction particularly when we are very hungry.
Good meal gives energy and strength in keeping our lives.
Eating with family and friends promote good conversation and bonding.
But it gives us much more. Taking a meal is also a precious opportunity of awakening.

Last year, I had a chance to visit the Mt. Hiei, near Kyoto, Japan, for the Tendai “Shi-Kan” meditation retreat. I appreciate generous support of Rev. Kojitsu Kobori, of Enryakuji-Temple. Without his support, this could not have happened.




Daishi-Do Temple on Mt. Hiei, where we stayed for 3 days.
This is the temple for the great master, "Ganzan Daishi Ryogen" (912 - 985 AD)


One of the most inspiring practices was meditation in taking a meal. As you may know, meditation is practiced not only in the sitting mode, but should be practiced in all occasions, including taking a meal.

Before we ate during the retreat on Mt. Hiei, we recited “the Five Contemplations When Taking A Meal”;
1. I consider the work required in producing this food, and I am grateful for its source.
2. I evaluate my virtues and examine any spiritual defects. The ratio between my virtues and
defects determines how much I shall deserve this offering.
3. I guard my heart cautiously from faults, particularly greed.
4. To strengthen and cure my weakening body, I consume this food as medicine.
5. As I continue on the spiritual path, I accept this offering with appreciation and gratitude.

Then, we started eating without any chatting or conversation. We kept eating in silence. It is a very awkward experience but I actually was able to feel and touch the presence of each food I took and also I was able to contemplate the source and life of the food. When I was able to appreciate each food more deeply, I had realized my habitual unconsciousness in food taking. Whenever I eat, I do appreciate food and also people who are involved in producing the food. But I was not truly touching the life of each food deeply. I would eat food basically unconsciously.

When we are hungry, we eat; when we are full, we stop.
When we are thirsty, we drink; when we are no more thirsty, we stop.

Our senses control our actions, when we are unconscious.
Internal and external conditions affect our senses, and our senses lead to actions.
For example, someone cuts in front of the car, and the driver gets angry and starts the road rage…

Full recognition and appreciation of food we take is a practice of awakening from unconscious.
Then instead of our senses controlling ourselves, we are able to control ourselves.

Since my family now lives in Japan, I take a meal alone at apartment in Irvine.
It sounds sad, but this gives me a chance to take a meal in awareness.

What do we do when I eat with family and friends?
Then I enjoy both eating and talking.
I am happy anyway.

Let's continue to practice for awakening!







Silent dinner at the Daishi-Do temple



Gassho
Mizutani

Awakening Call

A couple of weeks ago, I was staying at a hotel, in San Antonio, Texas. Around 3 a.m., a room phone rang loudly, and I jumped out of the bed. “Is John, there?” “What?” “Oh, sorry, I have the wrong number.”　The conversation ended, but the sensation of blaming this young woman for this careless action started within me. The following morning, I woke up with the sense of blaming her and also blaming myself for not being able to forgive her.

I gradually recalled what was going on the night before; the hurricane was approaching the Gulf area, lots of people were evacuating from that area, the hotel was occupied by many evacuee-like guests, and a group of people entered the room next door at midnight before the phone rang…… Most probably, the young woman was a family member from the Gulf region. I was ashamed of myself for having decided that she lacked common sense. When I saw it all clearly, my mind was freed. And I realized myself now worrying about and praying for the victims of the hurricane.

We react based on our own interpretation. By clearing our views and building our capacity to recognize everything as it is, we are able to see the beautiful nature of every being, and consequently peace, compassion, and dedication are revealed within ourselves. This is the meaning of awakening to the truth of the universe. Everyone has buddha-nature, most beautiful nature and also potential of awakening. Awakening to the truth of universe is assured to everyone in the Lotus Sutra.

The midnight phone brought me awakening.

Gassho

Shoko Mizutani

Six Paramitas 2/8/08

“How are you doing, Rev. Mizutani?” I appreciate these telephone calls from members of Rissho Kosei-kai LA, where I served as minister for the last seven years. I also appreciate all great comments and encouraging emails from those who have read this Blog. Thank you, all.
Yes, I eat well. Thank you.　　Do I miss my family?　Yes, I do. I try to call them and send email to them often, so that they don’t forget me.

Starting the new office and living home alone bring me many challenges. What I can say is that practicing the Dharma is truly the way to keep me on the right path.

I have written in this blog that I practice the sutra chanting whenever I need strength and Buddha’s wisdom. But please do not misunderstand. It is only one aspect of my Dharma practice. In Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist tradition, the bodhisattva way, or the Six Paramitas*, is the fundamental Dharma practice as in other Mahayana schools.
In the Chapter 3, “Ten Merits”, in “The Sutra of the Innumerable Meanings”, it says;
“This sutra makes a miserly one raise the mind of donation,
makes an arrogant on raise the mind of keeping the precepts,
makes an irascible one raise the mind of perseverance,
make an indolent one raise the mind of assiduity,
makes a distracted one raise the mind of meditation,
and makes an ignorant on raise the mind of wisdom.”

The terms with underline are the components of the Six Paramitas. This part of the sutra teaches that those who realize the truth will be able to attain all these Buddha-like dispositions. And it also reminds us and encourages us to practice hard each of the Six Paramitas for awakening.

Practicing the Six Paramitas builds one’s positive karma for the future happiness.
But from my own experience, practicing the donation (serving to others, or rendering loving kindness to others), for example, brings awakening right that moment.

Sometimes I am in a hurry on a freeway. Usually in those times, I am very self-centered. When some car suddenly cuts in just in front of me, I get angry feeling within myself. But when I try to think of helping other cars, I am willing to accept those cars. And I feel as if the wall which had been surrounding my mind is now disappeared. I feel a great connection between the driver and myself.　A freeway is not just the way to go somewhere, but it is the way for awakening.

The best book I would like to recommend you to read is the “Buddhism for Today”　by Rev.Nikkyo Niwano, founder of Rissho Kosei-kai. It is a wonderful guide for those who want to learn Buddhism in the everyday life context.

Thank you, Buddha.
Shoko Mizutani

*the six kinds of practice that bodhisattvas should follow to attain enlightenment.