The Sacred Practice of Mindful Dining

The Foundation of Collective Harmony

If your personal conduct deviates from the established rules of the temple, you must rectify it immediately. This is essential to ensure that your actions do not cause unnecessary interference for the rest of the community. We must all strive to maintain the sanctity of our shared space. Furthermore, please ensure that you are punctual for the morning service. Do not arrive late, leave early, or absent yourself without cause. I ask that the entire community observes these standards with sincerity and diligence.

Dining as a Spiritual Practice

When I observe the assembly in the dining hall, which also serves as our lecture hall, I am watching how you carry yourselves. In a Buddhist temple, the act of dining is far more than a simple meal; it is a vital and profound spiritual practice. To eat in silence and maintain a state of absolute stillness is a fundamental requirement of our temple life. This practice is a direct reflection of your personal virtue and your dignified presence as a practitioner.

Restraining the Six Roots

You should hold yourself to a high standard of conduct during these times. Sit upright with your body balanced and your spine straight. Most importantly, you must learn to restrain your Six Roots. As you partake in every mouthful of rice or soup, your heart should be filled with deep gratitude. You are receiving the offerings provided by the donors, which nourish your physical body so that you may continue your practice with focus and dedication. This is how one ensures that their spiritual achievements will truly come to fruition.

Cultivating a Pure Environment

Within the dining hall, you must refrain from eating while speaking or discussing worldly matters. There are two primary reasons for this. First, engaging in conversation during a meal causes one to lose their dignified presence. Second, the sound of your voice creates an unnecessary disturbance for others who are trying to maintain their own purity of mind. To disrupt the quiet practice of others while dining is a significant fault. While the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre has been accommodating due to our current circumstances, I sincerely hope that the fourfold assembly will exercise self-discipline and strictly adhere to the rule of silence during meals. By doing so, you protect the collective energy of the temple and honour the path of Namo Amituofo. Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo