In a monastic s daily life, walking, standing, sitting, and lying down can all be a way of practice. Even the most trivial actions like putting clothes on and eating are practices too. When having a meal, monastics must practice the Five Contemplations. For some monasteries, the Dining Hall{1} is called the Five Contemplations Hall.{2}



What are the five contemplations



1.To assess the merits and contemplate the source of this food.

If we think about it, every single crop needs to be planted, watered, weeded, and harvested by farmers. After that, the crop is traded by businessmen. Then it is washed and cooked by a chef. Once the rice is cooked, it will be served to us. Furthermore, the equipments and necessities which the farmers, businessmen, and chefs require in their work and daily life would need the work of another group of people to supply. There is a saying,  "A grain of rice contemplated by the Buddha is as big as Mount Sumeru.{3}"  To obtain one bowl of rice and one dish is indeed not that easy!

2.To think about our own morality and conduct in receiving the offering, whether sufficient or not.

When eating, we must reflect on what we have done and thought of. Are they in accordance with morality Do we deserve the offerings{4} from devotees

【Key Words】

{1}Dining Hall：齋堂

{2}Five Contemplations Hall：五觀堂

{3}Mount Sumeru：須彌山

{4}Offering：供養