Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey)
Ltd.
The Way of the Kitchen
John
D. Hughes
Recorded Teachings
Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey)
Ltd.
33 Brooking St
Upwey, Victoria
Australia 3158
A.C.N. 005 701 806
A.B.N. 42 611 496
488
Phone: (03) 9754
3334
Fax: (03) 9754 3334
email: wbu@bdcu.org.au
Disclaimer and Copyright
The Way of the
Kitchen is the first Practice.
The Novice starts in the kitchen,
washing cups, making tea/coffee, sweeping floors and if he or she is wise
continues to maintain the correct standards for the benefit of persons and
to ensure Blessings in future times.
The Way of the Kitchen is the
first Practice. The Students need wealth and it is hard to Practice Dana
(generosity) if you are poor. Food is the first requirement of the Student
to Practice and develop the skills to create the positive needs for
ongoing practice of Right Livelihood.
Samma Sati – Right
Concentration, the 7th part of the Eightfold Path is the Way of the
Kitchen.
The Centre of a home or a Centre of Dhamma Practice is the
kitchen.
The Practitioner must eat to have strength to Meditate and
the food for the Practitioner has to be prepared in a clean area or
sickness or even death could result from contamination.
A Centre of
Dhamma Practice thrives on generosity and this has to begin in the kitchen
with Right Concentration. The Practitioner has to be aware of these
conditions and use Right Concentration in the cleaning, preparation,
presentation and offering of food.
The artifacts, cups, plates,
pots, cutlery, storage, refrigerator, sink,cupboards, stove, benches – all
must be kept in good clean order. The best cup, the best plate of what is
available should be chosen to offer food or drinks when offering to the
Teacher.
Chipped or cracked plates or glasses, cups should be
discarded. Rinse, the plate, the cup, the cutlery and be sure they are
clean and in so doing prepare your mind with Right
Concentration.
The presentation of food should be appealing and
this can only be done with fresh food and a mind that recognises the
importance of fresh quality food that imparts strength and good health to
the recipient.
Food should be presented as a joyous celebration of
what is to be eaten. To have the Blessings of receiving beautifully
presented fresh clean food in the future – this is the way to do
it!
Present your Teacher with beautifully prepared meals or
tea/coffee – with the Right Concentration – knowing that the benefits of
long life, good health, strength, beauty and wisdom can be developed by
the presentation, in the present – knowing exactly what you are
doing.
By the 'way' you are extending the life of the Teacher, the
Dhamma Teachings, increasing the Students' access to the Teaching,
lengthening the existence of the Centre of Learning – or Temple. The value
of food is primary to Teacher and Student alike.
If the Student is
hungry his or her concentration is more likely to be on their stomach than
on Dhamma Teaching.
If food is not offered to the Teacher his or
her life may be shortened by the thoughtlessness of the
Students.
The Way of the Kitchen is truly a double edged
sword.
So out ignorance, the kitchen is the centre of the Way of
Practice.
And so, the kitchen is the place where primary conditions
are set in motion for the preservation or destruction of a Centre or
home.
Goodwill extends from the kitchen with the welcoming coffee
to a new or old friend. Long life can come from the kitchen by way of
concentration on cleanliness and the desire to help another being quench
their thirst or hunger.
"The gift of Dhamma excels all other
gifts".