Plum Village is a global community of mindfulness practice centres offering retreats and teachings on engaged Buddhism and the art of mindful living, founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. We share these contemplations with you, on this day before Thanksgiving:
This food is a gift of the earth, the sky, numerous living beings, and much hard and loving work.
May we eat with mindfulness and gratitude so as to be worthy to receive this food.
May we recognise and transform unwholesome mental formations, especially our greed and learn to eat with moderation
May we keep our compassion alive by eating in such a way that reduces the suffering of living beings, stops contributing to climate change, and heals and preserves our precious planet.
We accept this food so that we may nurture our brotherhood and sisterhood, build our Sangha, and realise our ideal of serving all living beings.
Nature is once again awash in the colors of autumn. I watched the sun peep out of the clouds after yesterday’s storm. It was shining magic light on the orange, scarlet, gold and plum tree branches. The hills glowed magenta at dusk.