Buddhist verses to sing before eating

All schools of Buddhism have rituals involving food. For example, the practice of giving food to monks who ask for alms began during the life of the historical Buddha and continues today. But what about the food we eat ourselves? What is the Buddhist equivalent of "saying grace"?

Zen song: Gokan-no-ge
There are several songs that are done before and after meals to express gratitude. Gokan-no-ge, the "Five reflections" or "Five memories", is of the Zen tradition.

First of all, let's reflect on our work and on the effort of those who brought us this food.
Secondly, we are aware of the quality of our actions as we receive this meal.
Third, what is most essential is the practice of awareness, which helps us to transcend greed, anger and delirium.
Fourth, we appreciate this food which supports the good health of our body and mind.
Fifthly, in order to continue our practice for all beings, we accept this offer.
The above translation is the way it is sung in my sangha, but there are several variations. Let's take a look at this verse one line at a time.

First of all, let's reflect on our work and on the effort of those who brought us this food.
This line is often translated as "Let's reflect on the effort this food has brought us and consider how it gets there". This is an expression of gratitude. The word pali translated as "gratitude", katannuta, literally means "to know what has been done". In particular, it is recognizing what has been done for its own benefit.

The food obviously didn't grow and didn't cook on its own. There are cooks; there are farmers; there are groceries; there is transportation. If you think of every hand and transaction between a spinach seed and spring pasta on your plate, you realize that this food is the culmination of countless works. If you add to all those who have touched the lives of chefs, farmers, grocers and truck drivers who made this spring pasta possible, suddenly your meal becomes an act of communion with a large number of people in the past, present and future. Give them your gratitude.

Secondly, we are aware of the quality of our actions as we receive this meal.
We have reflected on what others have done for us. What are we doing for others? Are we pulling our weight? Is this food exploited by supporting us? This phrase is also sometimes translated "When we receive this food, we consider whether our virtue and our practice deserve it".

Third, what is most essential is the practice of awareness, which helps us to transcend greed, anger and delirium.

Greed, anger and delusion are the three poisons that cultivate evil. With our food, we must be especially careful not to be greedy.

Fourth, we appreciate this food which supports the good health of our body and mind.
We remind ourselves that we eat to support our life and health, not to abandon ourselves to sensory pleasure. (Although, of course, if your food tastes good, it's okay to taste it consciously.)

Fifthly, in order to continue our practice for all beings, we accept this offer.
We remind ourselves of the vows of our bodhisattva to bring all beings to enlightenment.

When the Five Reflections are sung before a meal, these four lines are added after the Fifth Reflection:

The first bite is to cut all disappointments.
The second bite is to keep our mind clear.
The third bite is to save all sentient beings.
That we can wake up together with all beings.
A song from the Theravada meal
Theravada is the oldest Buddhism school. This Theravada song is also a reflection:

Reflecting wisely, I use this food not for fun, not for pleasure, not for fattening, not for embellishment, but only for the maintenance and nourishment of this body, to keep it healthy, to help with the Spiritual Life;
By thinking this way, I will relieve hunger without eating too much, so that I can continue to live blamelessly and at ease.
The second noble truth teaches that the cause of suffering (dukkha) is craving or thirst. We continually seek something outside of ourselves to make us happy. But no matter how successful we are, we are never satisfied. It is important not to be greedy for food.

A meal song from Nichiren's school
This Buddhist chant by Nichiren reflects a more devotional approach to Buddhism.

The rays of the sun, moon and stars that feed our bodies and the five grains of the earth that feed our spirits are all gifts from the Eternal Buddha. Even a drop of water or a grain of rice is nothing more than the result of meritorious work and hard work. May this meal help us to maintain health in body and mind and to support the Buddha's teachings to repay the Four Favors and to carry out the pure conduct of serving others. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Itadakimasu.
"Paying back the four favors" in Nichiren's school is repaying the debt we owe to our parents, all sentient beings, our national rulers and the Three Treasures (the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha). "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" means "devotion to the mystical law of the Lotus Sutra", which is the foundation of Nichiren's practice. "Itadakimasu" means "I receive" and is an expression of gratitude for all those who have contributed to the preparation of the meal. In Japan, it is also used to mean something like "Let's eat!"

Gratitude and reverence
Prior to his enlightenment, the historical Buddha weakened with fasting and other ascetic practices. Then a young woman offered him a bowl of milk, which she drank. Strengthened, he sat down under a bodhi tree and began to meditate, and in this way achieved the enlightenment.

From the Buddhist point of view, eating is much more than just nourishment. It is an interaction with the whole phenomenal universe. It is a gift that has been given to us through the work of all beings. We promise to be worthy of the gift and work for the benefit of others. Food is received and eaten with gratitude and reverence.