The Meal Chants

 

The Five Reflections

(hands palm-to-palm)

LEADER:

With all that lives, let us honor the Three Treasures. Let us recall the exertions of Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

(clappers)

ALL:

This meal is the labor of countless beings - let us remember their toil.

Defilements are many and exertions weak - do we deserve this offering?

Gluttony stems from greed - let us be moderate.

Our lives are sustained by this offering - let us be grateful.

We take this food to attain the Buddha way.

(Food is served. Put aside a piece of dry food for the hungry ghosts dish which is passed around).

Verse of the Main Meal

(clappers - all with raised bowls)

LEADER: Our meal is offered...

ALL: ...to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. With teachers and family, with nations and all life, let us equally share. To beings throughout the six worlds we offer this meal.

Offering to the Hungry Ghosts

(clappers - hands palm-to-palm)

ALL:

All hungry ghosts! All tortured spirits! Now we give you this Dharma-food. May it fill the ten directions and satisfy hunger in realms of darkness.

All hungry ghosts! All tortured spirits! Abandon greed and arouse the desire for enlightenment!

(The hungry ghosts bowl is passed around the table during this chant. Hold the piece of dry food previously set aside in your right hand between the ring finger and thumb. Circle the food around the perimeter of the bowl in a clockwise direction three times before depositing the food into the bowl. Your left hand remains in the gassho position and your hands return to the full gassho position when you pass the bowl along).

Offering to the Thirsty Spirits

(clappers - hands palm-to-palm)

ALL:

To you spirits tortured by thirst we give this liquid offering. May your thirst be relieved, may your suffering diminish. May all beings attain Buddhahood!

(Pour a little of your drink into the thirsty spirits bowl when it comes around; you may use a spoon as a ladle).

(After the meal, both bowls are emptied outdoors to feed wildlife).