Get notified by email of new Buddhism articles by Alan! I vow to live fully each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh . If these vows were uttered as promises to a buddha, perhaps these would be instances of prayer. These questions are discussed in depth in Buddhadharma‘s forum, Do Buddhists Pray?. ~ Upasakasila Sutra. Traditional Buddhist Prayer. Why should we be “fundamentally grateful for everything that happens to us”? Mahayana Buddhists do not seek nirvana but are committed to return to the world again and again to help all beings find the joy that knows no sorrow. Buddha said 'eat whatever falls into your bowl'. When we see those who are suffering, we should not turn away from them. Instead, we should look for every way we can think of to diminish it. As a Buddhist, it may seem like this is yet another holiday that is something we cannot take part in. One needs to remember other beings when one is eating the food. May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness; May all be free from sorrow and the causes of sorrow; May all never be separated from the sacred happiness which is sorrowless; And may all live in equanimity, without too much attachment and too much aversion, And live believing in the equality of all that lives. This not only provides the laity with the ability to gain merit, give the monastic something they will use daily, but also increases loving-kindness. Of course not. A common tradition on Thanksgiving is to give thanks in a way of prayer before everyone starts eating. Please take care and stay safe! In the space before me on a lion throne, lotus, and moon, The Venerable Gurus smile with delight. This something that I use. With this understanding we should treat them with as much compassion as possible. They sit quietly and breathe mindfully. Often the building, which contains Buddhastatues, is repainted when colours have vanished. It is easy to be grateful for the beautiful and wonderful things that happen to us, but what about those “not so good” thing that happen to us? As Ven. If you are hosting the dinner, and you know your guests prefer meat, figure out if you wish to have meat especially for them without making them the exception, If you are the host, and guests bring meat dishes, will you partake? Learn more at www.alanpeto.com April 2010 edited April 2010 Tibetan Buddhism prayer before eating: I offer this to the teacher, higher than any other, the Precious Buddha. Monks get up early around 5 AM. At 1 pm monks go to school or university to study Dharma. It does not only matter what we eat, But what about the food we eat ourselves? One may silently wish all sentient beings to achieve full accomplishment and to fulfill Buddha's Dharma practice. Copyright © 2013 Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto. Gratitude assures us that what we have is enough; greed and gratitude cannot peacefully coexist, it seems. He uses his training in graphic design, journalism, research, and a splash of humor, to help everyone understand and practice Buddhism. Unlike the "grace" prayers said before meals in many cultures and faiths, the Islamic Du'a supplication for meals is not communal. 6. May we eat with mindfulness and gratitude so … All schools of Buddhism have rituals involving food -- offering food, receiving food, eating food. If you enjoyed this article, please share! Buddhist author Barbara O’Brien explained that gratitude is an “antidote for greed”. From Plum village on line. Here is my (adapted) version in a prayer-like form, and maybe you will find it a favorite of yours as well (check out the graphic at the beginning of this article that matches this): For all living beings, no matter who or what they are. The dining hall in a Chinese monastery is usually referred to as “The Hall of Five Contemplations” because people are reminded to contemplate the following five aspects when they eat: To count the amount of merit and appraise the source, To assess one’s own virtues, whether perfect or deficient to deserve the bestowal, To guard one’s mind against faults, greed in particular, To receive this food in order to accomplish spiritual work, To receive this food as medicine for this weakening body, 6525 Millcreek Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L5N 7K6. Buddhists pray by sitting in a serene and quiet place in their home or in temple where candles are lit in front of the statue of Buddha. Before 12.00 noon - Some monks choose to eat a light lunch at this time. Buddhists will seek to do good karma to alleviate any unpleasantness. Revered Miao You, director of the Nan Tien Temple in Berkeley NSW tells SBS how Buddhists believe that when a person’s body has died, their consciousness temporarily lingers on Earth before moving onto the afterlife. In fact, it is important that what we offer does not take away from others. Traditionally a Christian prayer is given, but many religions also give their own. It is a gift given to us through the work of all beings. CC0 photo via Pixabay A common tradition on Thanksgiving is to give thanks in a way of prayer before everyone starts eating. At 6 pm the monks pray … If one wishes to offer prec… Buddhism (and its connection to anorexia, bulimia, and gluttony) Any Greek or Hebrew translations are quoted from New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D. Then they start chanting mantras. For Theravadin Buddhists, this may not be too much of an issue as they take the more liberal view of eating meat that followed the Buddha’s example of accepting whatever was given to him (and his followers) during daily alms rounds as long as it was not specifically killed for them. This helps us “awaken” to our natural gratitude and compassionate mind. Yes if you can in order to show gratefulness unless you are a monastic, have health issues, or it is too much for you (you don’t have to eat it all! They study up to 6 pm. In the West, eating may be viewed as a time for socialising, but according to Buddhist mores, which do not only govern monks, eating is part of dhamma practice.Most of us think eating is only a physical activity. While eating two monks share one tray. PRAYER Many Buddhists will be accustomed to the practice of meditation, and would appreciate peace and quiet for this. In fact, eating has a spiritual impact on us. , You are here:  Home » Buddhism » A Buddhist Thanksgiving: Understanding Gratitude in Buddhism, Alan helps beginners understand Buddhism and Buddhist teachings with his articles, graphics, and videos. For example, the practice of giving food to monks begging for alms began during the life of the historical Buddha and continues to this day. The answer is yes unless you are a monastic and you are forbidden to. For Buddhists, a regular prayer is one of “Metta” or “Loving Kindness”. Buddhists usually fold their palms before eating while silently offering the meal to Buddha, dharma, Sangha, and all the living beings in all the Dharma realms. Not only does it help us progress towards realizing dependent origination (we are all connected), but also helps free us from attachment and builds a compassionate mind. I offer this to the protection, higher than any … Understanding Attachment in Buddhism, The Washing Machine of Buddhism: The Five Aggregates, click the image if you wish to donate and get a printable PDF version. Some monks may attend school outside the temple. Thus Buddhists do not worship, nor surrender their fate to a divine being. A Mantra can be a word, a syllable or a sentence or a short prayer that Buddhists repeat several times, some do it aloud or in one’s own head. When we are with our parents, our teachers or others who are of good nature, we should feel joy and respect. And sometimes I wonder, … People knew that Buddhist disciples did not eat meat so always put vegetables into their bowls. An American tradition and holiday, Thanksgiving, is often the cornerstone of being thankful for people and things in our lives (and ironically, followed by massively acquiring things the next day on “Black Friday”). Buddhism is not a God-centred faith. Mastering the basics: Breathing and posture. But, as we now as Buddhists, all things are impermanent. Instead, Buddhist texts mention that this is a period which should be used for meditation or sutra chanting. Due to the pandemic and concern for public health, All Rights Reserved. I say quietly to myself before I eat. Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto will be closed to the public during the Chinese New Year. In the morning after the alms round, while laymen or laywomen are preparing food, m… If you have some flexibility with your hosts, let them know you can bring a vegetarian dish(es) and/or your preference, If you wish to not offend your hosts, there is often plenty of non-meat parts of a thanksgiving dinner you can load up on, If you are given turkey on your plate, should you eat it? But why? In-fact, it is one of the most important American holidays where Buddhist values shine. From a Buddhist perspective, eating is more than just taking in nourishment. Master Hsing Yun explained, being grateful is something we should always practice: As Buddhists, we should feel fundamentally grateful for everything that happens to us. Before we eat, We turn our attention To the bounty before us; We are truly thankful for this meal And for the richness of our lives. There is no specific dress code for a traditional Buddhist, but there is a dress code for a Buddhist monks. In-fact, America is the #1 producer of Turkey (and consumer), especially on this day. 5. This period of restorationdepends of the temple funds. , Have a comment about the article? They do this before and after every meal. Mahayana Buddhists are a mixture in this realm, where Chinese Buddhists strive to be vegetarian, while others like Japanese Buddhists see no problem eating meat due to how Buddhism grew in their country. It is also important to note that any holiday, even Thanksgiving, need not be tied down by whatever rituals, beliefs, and practices that are currently being practiced. View all posts by Alan Peto. Due to the pandemic and concern for public health, Attitudes and Benefits of Learning the Dharma, The Essence of Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem, Ways to Start a Daily Practice of Peace and Happiness, The Buddhist Perspective on Life and Destiny, The Buddhist Perspective on Time and Space, The Ten Dharma Realms and the Five Vehicles, Ven Miao Guang : Dharma for everyday living humanistic buddhism as a part of real life, Dr Lewis Lancaster : Bodhisattva in the Perfection of Wisdom Buddhists Texts, Dr Victor Hori : Buddhism in Canada Where are we. Follow Alan on social media by clicking here. Each individual says their own personal Du'a silently or quietly, whether eating alone or in a group. Gratefulness shines on the face of this Buddhist nun. In America, eating meat…specifically Turkey and Ham…is deeply a part of this tradition for many. One ofthem hits a gong to wake up all. Traditionally, Buddhist monastics follow the prātimokṣa rules outlined in the various Vinayas (texts outlining the monastic discipline) all which specify that one must not eat after the noon meal. SLEEPING - Some Buddhists may prefer to sleep on the floor. That is personal and up to you. Scroll down to discuss! The same goes for jealousy, regret, resentment, and many other negative emotions. It is an interaction with the entire phenomenal universe. May all beings be safe, peaceful, and happy! Following the Buddhist precept of nonviolence to all creatures, our meals were … They chant vows, aspirations and offerings. One may silently wish all sentient beings to achieve full accomplishment and to fulfill Buddha's Dharma practice. It also allowed him and his followers to practice gratefulness as well. Offerings should be obtainable without any difficulty. Alan Peto is an author on Buddhism and Buddhist teachings for beginners. Before eating, Buddhists always say a prayer to bless the food that they are about to eat, and after they eat, they always say another prayer to say thank you for the food that they have eaten. Being grateful for everything that happens to us builds our compassionate mind. When we see an evil person, we should become thoughtful and consider that their evil is a burden most of all to themselves. Traditionally a Christian prayer is given, but many religions also give their own. The “Loving Kindness” Sutra (also known as the Karaṇīya Mettā Sutta) is what most Buddhists know, however is often translated, and worded in different ways. Greed often comes from a sense of not having enough, or at least not having as much as everyone else has. Briefly, here are thoughts on why we pray, from three Buddhist teachers: Praying to connect with compassion From “If It Sounds Too Good to Be True,” by Mark Unno. This shows us that gratitude is also an antidote to greed. Is Buddhism a Religion, a Philosophy or Cognitve Science? Instead, we should provide them as much comfort as we are able. If at work, I'll say to myself while preparing my lunch. Nevertheless, different forms of fasting are practiced in various Buddhist traditions.. Fasting in early Buddhism and Theravada By thinking deeply, we begin to understand that we are interconnected (dependent) on others (and things). So what to do? Greed is an important topic in Buddhism, because we can be greedy for things like our health, family, friends, work, money, beliefs, etc., which makes us attached (and thus caught in the “Three Poisons/Fires“). At 3 pm they do laundry and clean temple. So, fundamentally, there are some steps you can take: Regardless of what is on the dinner plate, a Buddhist always strives to be grateful and practice loving kindness, and especially at Thanksgiving with friends and family who surround them! In Buddhism, there are a variety of attitudes towards different forms of Fasting.The Buddha is known to have practiced extreme forms of fasting which led to his emaciation and to have famously abandoned it before his great awakening. This is the last solid food they are allowed to consume until sunrise the following morning. Like the cross and the Kaaba, a Buddha statue, a Bōdhi tree, or a stūpa is a symbol that can be seen as helpful in showing devotion, uplifting and calming the mind, and thus enables one to meditate with a calm mind. It is the Buddhist value of “gratitude” and “giving” (“Dana”) which is fundamental to Buddhism that we share on this day. Before sitting to eat monks pray towards the Buddha statue in the Sala. Phone: (905) 814-0465   Fax: (905) 814-0469   E-Mail: Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00am to 6:00pm. When we are greedy, even about the good things, we are drifting farther away from the true path. Patients who are mobile could use a room adjacent to the Hospital Chapel. It says: Buddhists also practice giving (Dana) through supporting the monastics (Sangha/community). But in true Buddhist tradition, the revered reaction is to hold in your tears and honour the dead by feeding them. When we come upon someone who is angry with us, we should not return the feeling. It’s easy to forget that the ultimate realization is boundless compassion and oneness. ). Without compassion, the Three Poisons quickly take over. Once a monk was out begging for food. Monks who do not study, meditate in the afternoon. To continue the practice of being grateful you may want to, while being grateful in your mind for all things, including the animal that was sacrificed for this food, so you can still practice while eating, When presented with a question if you would like more meat, say you loved some of the other (non-meat) dishes and would love to have more of that as you are getting full. Buddhists do not bow their heads and talk to the buddhas, but they do a great deal of chanting that might be prayers. Supreme Field of Merit for my mind of faith, Please remain for a hundred aeons to spread the teaching. Yes, we should even be grateful for them even though that is an extremely hard practice to follow. or "I vow to maintain my practice of eating 1 meal per day." In some religious practices the words offering and sacrifice are synonymous. - Author Unknown. These du'a are recited whenever food or drink passes the lips--whether it be a sip of water, a snack or a full meal. According to Ven. On these occasions many Buddhists would not wish to eat after 12 noon. I see prayer flags all the time. May this food nourish our bodies, You must be comfortable to meditate; if it helps use a … We should seek to build on the compassion they have shown us by creating even more positive conditions in the world. Buddhists usually fold their palms before eating while silently offering the meal to Buddha, dharma, Sangha, and all the living beings in all the Dharma realms. One needs to remember other beings when one is eating the food. The earliest tradition is that of giving robes to monks, and it is still practiced to this day as more tradition than necessary. Buddhists do not pray to a god or divine being outside of themselves because Buddhists generally believe that divinity is inside each person. Twenty-four brand-new hours are before me. A Buddhist Thanksgiving: Understanding Gratitude in Buddhism, Let it Go, Let it Go! Let none wish harm to another, through anger or hatred. Because Buddhist temples are often supported in many ways, having the laity present robes is not as vital as it was in the Buddha’s day, it still provides the ability to practice giving and thanking the monastic (or new monastic) for their desire to give up everything and become a monastic. 1.00 pm - Classes in Buddhist teaching begin. Eat vegetarian foods. In Buddhism an offering is for the benefit of the practitioner and all beings, not for the benefit of the Buddha or Enlightened Being. Image: pixabay.com. Buddhist monks wake up every morning, at approximately 4 a.m. while the stars are still out and the world appears to be peacefully sleeping. You can also show your gratitude to your parents/wife/friends who prepared it. This goes to the Buddha’s wish for all sentient beings to benefit from being compassionate and giving, he was not willing to tell them what to do. or "I vow to one day attain bodhi and I ask the buddhas and bodhisattvas to guide me and protect me." What does gratitude in Buddhism and Thanksgiving have in common? This prayer helps bring forth the blooming of the seeds of compassion in our minds, which is critical in Buddhist practice. When someone benefits us even a little, we should repay them with all our hearts. For example, Nichiren Buddhists sometimes chant various texts, such as the mystic law's name or parts of the Lotus Sutra. However, killing is a fundamental Buddhist “do not do” as part of the Five Precepts. Even if someone is angry with us, we should always treat them well. This type of prayer is to encourage divine qualities in the person, such as courage or wisdom. Emptiness in the Perfection of Wisdom Texts, The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, Resources for East Asian Language and Thought. Monks start prayers at 5:30 AM,followed by an alms round at 6:30 AM. Buddhists can deepen the meaning of Thanksgiving in their own minds and actions to be a day of deep [Buddhist] compassion, loving-kindness, and community. Increase or decrease font size for easier reading : A+A- Before the beginning of the retreat season, an importantperiod of restoration happens. Master Hsing Yun, the Sutra on the Compassionate Upaya of the Buddha provides guidance on how to be grateful as it helps us manifest the Four Immeasurable States of Mind of the Tathagata (Buddha) which are boundless kindness, boundless compassionate, boundless joy, and boundless equanimity: The sutra continues its discussion of gratitude by mentioning four other ways of being that can help us always stay grateful toward the world. We vow to be worthy of the gift and work to benefit others. Fasting in Buddhism. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Buddhists in Asian countries have a practice of offering the best portion of the meal before noon to the Buddha before they start eating. So how do we become grateful so we can use this as an antidote to greed? Does this mean Buddhists do not have one? We won’t even get into the health benefits of not eating meat, but focus on “can a Buddhist eat meat”? This food is a gift of the earth, the sky, numerous living beings, and much hard and loving work. This is no easy commitment and (deceased's name) has asked for the prayers of all his/her friends and loved ones during this service and after. This is about being grateful and kindness, so focus on that…talk with others, have fun, and remember the meal is a part of the tradition, but it is not the entirety! Buddha also said that people should not harm any living thing and should be vegetarians. More importantly, you can practice Satipattana while eating Buddhists do not ‘worship’ Buddha statues any more than Christians worship the cross or Muslims the Kaaba. Buddhas and enlightened beings do not require sacrifices.
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