Gyohatsu nenju

Gyohatsu Nenju, Meal Sutra

In Zen practice, meals are ceremonies dedicated to all suffering beings. Through this sutra, which is chanted at different intervals during the meal, we express our gratitude towards all existences who participated in the gift of food. Guarding against greed, we are aware that the meal is intended to fortify our practice and, therefore, to produce the mind of awakening. Finally, we offer up the food for the good of all beings.
 

Gyohatsû nenju

Bus shô kapira
Jo do makada
Sep pô harana
Nyu metsu kuchira
Nyorai o ryôki
Gakon toku futen
Gangu is-sai shû
To san rin ku ja ku.

Shin jin pashin birû sha no fu
En mon ho shin rushâ no fu
Sen pai kashin shikyâ mu ni fu
To rai asan mirû son bu
Ji ho san shi ishî shi fu
Dai jin myo harin ga kin
Dai shin bun jusu ri bu sa
Dai jin fuen bu sa
Dai hi kan shiin bu sa
Shi son bûbu sa mo ko sa
Mo ko hôja ho ro mi.

Hitotsu ni wa kô no tashô o hakari kano raisho o hakaru.
Futatsu ni wa, onore ga tokugyô no zen ketto wo hakatte kuni ôzu.
Mitsu ni wa shin o fusegi toga o hanaruru ko towa tontô o shû to su.
Yotsu ni wa, masani ryôyaku o koto to suru wa gyôko o ryôzen ga tame nari.
Itsutsu ni wa jôdô no tame no yue niima kono jiki o uku.

Jiten kijinshu,
Gokin suji kyu
Suji hen jihô
Ishi ki jin kyu.

Jo bun san bo,
Chu bun shion.
Gekyû roku do,
Kai do kuyô.

Ik-ku idan is-sai aku
Niku ishu is-sai zen
Sanku ido shoshu jo
Kaigu jo butsu do.

Gashi sen pas-sui,
Nyo ten kan ro mi,
Seyo kijin shû
Shitsu ryo tokubo man
On makura sai sowaka.

Shi shi kai jiki kun,
Jiren kafu jashî,
Shin shin jin cho ihi,
Kishu rinbu jo son.