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Giving Food Giving Food Giving Food Giving Food

Because of the sincerity of mind with which a woman offered the Buddha a bowl of milk,
it was foretold that she would become a Pratyekabuddha in the following life.
Because King Asoka, as his last good action, offered a half a piece of fruit to the priests attending him on his deathbed, he was free from all suffering in the moment of death.
From this it may be seen that small acts of charity, made in a devotional spirit,
are beneficial not only in the present but in the future also.
However minute may be the offerings we make to the Buddha,
they must be given in the spirit of true religion and sincerity.
Such deeds are the right action of all men.
Dogen Chief Cook's Instructions (Tenzo-kyokun)

You can make an offering of food in a way that is prudent and good for you. This may include food offerings of various sizes, kitchen staples, a memorial meal, some part of a meal, a dessert or a treat, cooking a meal for the community, inviting the Sangha to your house for a meal, making an offering when monks walk Alms Round in Mount Shasta. Because of our monastic tradition we do not eat garlic, scallions, horseradish, meat or alcohol.

When one is identified with the food one eats, one is identified with the whole universe;
when we are one with the whole universe we are one with the food we eat ...
the whole universe and a meal are identical in quality.
Dogen Meal-time Regulations

If you have any questions, or if you would like to arrange to offer food to the monastic Sangha, please contact the Chief Cook at email or the Bursar at bursar@shastaabbey.org.