4/10/20 – #5
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Life is short, short, brother! / Ain’t it the truth? / And there is no other / Ain’t it the truth? / You gotta rock that rainbow while you still got your youth! -Yip Harburg, lyricist (8 Apr 1896-1981)
Two men, Jim and Jay, came to my door offering food. A friend had added me to their list of at-risk aging people. They go outside, gathering groceries, cooking and delivering them to folks like me. Their humble efforts and smiling generosity feels much greater than the prepared meals. Me and my neighbors stay safely inside and, when one thinks about it, they safeguard doctors, nurses, care workers, hospital and clinical medical staff keeping them from being overwhelmed in this crisis. In our communal isolation simple twice-weekly kindness gives life and love.
I lived for 13 years at the NC Zen Center on Ironwood Rd. off of Russell Chapel Church Rd., just a few miles up 15-501 North. During those years I participated in many retreats in the Rinzai Zen tradition under the auspices of Sandy Gentei Stewart, the Abbott for many years. A retreat entails silence Zen sitting, formal eating, walking, working and chanting and face-to-face interviews with the Abbott. For me, one of the most enriching moments during meals came when we chanted together in Pali, a very old language. The work of Jim and Jay brings to mind the meal chant we recited together. I invite you to read the English translation of this chant.
*The Five Reflections*
*First, let us reflect on our own work and the effort of those who brought us this food. Second, let us be aware of the quality of our deeds as we receive this meal. Third, what is most essential is the practice of mindfulness, which helps us to transcend greed, anger and delusion. Fourth, we appreciate this food which sustains the good health of our body and mind. Fifth, in order to continue our practice for all beings we accept this **offering.*
*The Three Morsels*
*The first morsel is to cut all delusions.*
*The second morsel is to maintain our clear mind. The third morsel is to save all sentient beings. May we awaken together with all beings.*
If you’re interested in the original language and a commentary you might go to this website:
http://buddhism.about.com/od/becomingabuddhist/a/mealchants.htm by Barbara O’Brien, About Religion website.
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2020 10:09:53 -0400
From: Brad Page
Subject: Corona Journal #5