Read, reflect, pray

Five Contemplations Before a Meal

五観の偈ごかんのげ

Five traditional verses used before meals in Sōtō Zen, reflecting on the work behind food, one’s conduct, mental afflictions, nourishment and following the Buddha’s way.

English meaning and source text

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English meaning

About this English rendering

This site’s English rendering of the Japanese meaning guide, aligned with this edition. It is separate from the source words for recitation and is not an official liturgy. Sacred sounds are explained where possible, not given speculative literal translations. Historical beliefs, royal authority, illness and protection claims belong to the text; they are not present-day judgments, medical advice or guarantees of results.

An independent rendering of the five traditional verses. Their reflection on conduct is a practice of self-examination, not a judgment of anyone’s human worth or entitlement to food.

First, I reflect on the work that made this meal possible and on where it came from.

Second, I consider what is complete and what is lacking in my conduct as I receive this offering of food.

Third, I guard the mind against wrongdoing, especially greed and the other afflictions.

Fourth, I take food as good medicine to sustain the body and remedy its decline.

Fifth, I receive this meal in order to follow the Buddha’s way and realize awakening.

Source text and reading aid

Roman letters are provided for every line of this source text.

How to use the Roman letters

Roman letters follow the kana displayed in this site’s Japanese reader; some readings are editorial additions documented on the Japanese page. These are a reading aid, not restored Sanskrit or a recording of a temple’s chanting. Historical spellings (such as wo, wi, we and ha used as a particle) are kept. Double vowels and repeated vowels mark the written kana; rhythm and pronunciation can differ by tradition.

You can simply read the meaning or sit quietly. No recitation is required. For a temple or shrine’s own recitation, follow that tradition’s published guidance.

食前の五つの省察（しょくぜんのいつつのせいさつ）

一（ひとつ）には功（こう）の多少（たしょう）を計（はか）り、彼（か）の来処（らいしょ）を量（はか）る。

hitotsuniha kouno tashouwo hakari, kano raishowo hakaru.

二（ふたつ）には己（おのれ）が徳行（とくぎょう）の全欠を（ぜんけっと）忖（はか）って供（く）に応（おう）ず。

futatsuniha onorega tokugyouno zenketto hakatte kuni ouzu.

三（みつ）には心（しん）を防（ふせ）ぎ過（とが）を離（はな）るることは、貪等（とんとう）を宗（しゅう）とす。

mitsuniha shinwo fusegi togawo hanarurukotoha, tontouwo shuutosu.

四（よつ）には正（まさ）に良薬（りょうやく）を事（こと）とするは、形枯（ぎょうこ）を療（りょう）ぜんが為（ため）なり。

yotsuniha masani ryouyakuwo kototosuruha, gyoukowo ryouzenga tamenari.

五（いつつ）には成道（じょうどう）の為（ため）の故（ゆえ）に、今（いま）此（こ）の食（じき）を受（う）く。

itsutsuniha joudouno tameno yueni, ima kono jikiwo uku.

Connected kami and buddhas

These connections include figures addressed, mentioned, or associated by tradition. They do not assign a universal recitation practice.

Dōgen Zenji道元禅師

Sources and edition (1)

曹洞宗宗務庁 — 『五観の偈』に学ぶ

English explanations on this page were prepared by Inori no Mori from the cited text and its Japanese explanations. They are not an official translation or a prescribed liturgy.

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