Placer Buddhist Church
3192 Boyington Road P.O.Box 349 Penryn, CA. 95663(916) 652-6139office@placerbuddhistchurch.org
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A Dharma Message by Rev. Yuki Sugahara
A Dharma Message by Rev. Yuki Sugahara
November 2025
November 2025
Itadakimasu
Itadakimasu
When the late Rev. Shosei Hanayama—who passed away at the young age of 52—was serving at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, I was once invited there to give a Dharma talk. A day before the service, I was graciously treated to a meal at the Hanayama family’s home.
When the late Rev. Shosei Hanayama—who passed away at the young age of 52—was serving at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, I was once invited there to give a Dharma talk. A day before the service, I was graciously treated to a meal at the Hanayama family’s home.
Before eating, the family recited the words before meals. In my own home, we would simply say itadakimasu and begin eating right away. I still remember vividly when Hanayama Sensei’s young child said to me, “What? You’re a minister and you don’t say the words before meals?”
Before eating, the family recited the words before meals. In my own home, we would simply say itadakimasu and begin eating right away. I still remember vividly when Hanayama Sensei’s young child said to me, “What? You’re a minister and you don’t say the words before meals?”
The phrase itadakimasu is something we say before eating, but I suspect that most people don’t always reflect on its deeper meaning. Yet within this simple expression, “I humbly receive,” there is a profound sense of gratitude and respect -- gratitude toward those who prepared the meal, those who transported and cultivated the food, and above all, the many lives that have become our nourishment.
The phrase itadakimasu is something we say before eating, but I suspect that most people don’t always reflect on its deeper meaning. Yet within this simple expression, “I humbly receive,” there is a profound sense of gratitude and respect -- gratitude toward those who prepared the meal, those who transported and cultivated the food, and above all, the many lives that have become our nourishment.
In Jōdo Shinshū, we recite the words before meals to express and deepen that sense of gratitude. Incidentally, the original version used the phrase “the Buddha” (mihotoke) instead of “many lives.” In the Zen tradition, particularly in Sōtō Zen, there is a verse called The Five Reflections (Gokan no Ge), presented by Master Dōgen in his
In Jōdo Shinshū, we recite the words before meals to express and deepen that sense of gratitude. Incidentally, the original version used the phrase “the Buddha” (mihotoke) instead of “many lives.” In the Zen tradition, particularly in Sōtō Zen, there is a verse called The Five Reflections (Gokan no Ge), presented by Master Dōgen in his
writing Fushukuhanpō — “Instructions for Taking Meals.” Its translation reads as follows:
writing Fushukuhanpō — “Instructions for Taking Meals.” Its translation reads as follows:
1. Let us reflect on how this food has come to us, recognizing the effort and blessings of many people.
1. Let us reflect on how this food has come to us, recognizing the effort and blessings of many people.
2. Let us examine whether our own conduct deserves this offering of food.
2. Let us examine whether our own conduct deserves this offering of food.
3. Let us guard our minds against error, avoiding greed, anger, and ignorance.
3. Let us guard our minds against error, avoiding greed, anger, and ignorance.
4. This meal is medicine to sustain our bodies and maintain our health.
4. This meal is medicine to sustain our bodies and maintain our health.
5. We take this food to accomplish the Way.
5. We take this food to accomplish the Way.
When we say itadakimasu before meals, we may be expressing something close to the first reflection. However, in Zen, the verse expands this awareness into four additional reflections, encouraging mindfulness of one’s inner attitude through the act of eating.
When we say itadakimasu before meals, we may be expressing something close to the first reflection. However, in Zen, the verse expands this awareness into four additional reflections, encouraging mindfulness of one’s inner attitude through the act of eating.
There is an interesting story related to the words before meals. During the Edo period, under the reign of the eighth shōgun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, there lived a brilliant scholar-priest of the Hongwanji tradition named Nikkei Hōrin. He was said to have memorized a vast range of Buddhist scriptures by heart. It is even told that when he momentarily forgot a passage, he would press the top of his head with his right hand — and the words would immediately come flowing out.
There is an interesting story related to the words before meals. During the Edo period, under the reign of the eighth shōgun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, there lived a brilliant scholar-priest of the Hongwanji tradition named Nikkei Hōrin. He was said to have memorized a vast range of Buddhist scriptures by heart. It is even told that when he momentarily forgot a passage, he would press the top of his head with his right hand — and the words would immediately come flowing out.
Around the same time, there was another great scholar, Hōtan of the Kegon school, renowned for his deep understanding of Buddhist thought. The two often engaged in earnest debate on the teachings of the Nembutsu, and in time, they came to respect each other deeply and became good friends.
Around the same time, there was another great scholar, Hōtan of the Kegon school, renowned for his deep understanding of Buddhist thought. The two often engaged in earnest debate on the teachings of the Nembutsu, and in time, they came to respect each other deeply and became good friends.
One day, Hōrin visited Hōtan during mealtime. Hōtan was reciting the words before meals — likely The Five Reflections. Curious, he asked Hōrin, “Does Jōdo Shinshū have something like this as well?”
One day, Hōrin visited Hōtan during mealtime. Hōtan was reciting the words before meals — likely The Five Reflections. Curious, he asked Hōrin, “Does Jōdo Shinshū have something like this as well?”
At that time, Jōdo Shinshū did not have such a verse. But Hōrin, knowing Hōtan’s character, thought that if he answered, “No, we don’t,” Hōtan would likely mock the Shinshū teaching. So, as he often did, Hōrin pressed the top of his head and then, on the spot, composed an original verse. This spontaneous composition became known as “The Verse Before Meals” (Taijiki Ge).
At that time, Jōdo Shinshū did not have such a verse. But Hōrin, knowing Hōtan’s character, thought that if he answered, “No, we don’t,” Hōtan would likely mock the Shinshū teaching. So, as he often did, Hōrin pressed the top of his head and then, on the spot, composed an original verse. This spontaneous composition became known as “The Verse Before Meals” (Taijiki Ge).
The Verse Before Meals (modern translation)
The Verse Before Meals (modern translation)
Every single grain of rice embodies the heart of faith in the Buddha-Dharma.
Every single grain of rice embodies the heart of faith in the Buddha-Dharma.
Every single drop of soup reveals the working of the Buddha’s compassion.
Every single drop of soup reveals the working of the Buddha’s compassion.
This meal does not belong to farmers, artisans, merchants, rulers or anyone.
This meal does not belong to farmers, artisans, merchants, rulers or anyone.
It is not obtained through power or wealth.
It is not obtained through power or wealth.
If not for the compassionate working of the Buddha-Dharma,
If not for the compassionate working of the Buddha-Dharma,
How could we receive this food at all?
How could we receive this food at all?
Therefore, do not concern yourself with whether the taste is rich or bland,
Therefore, do not concern yourself with whether the taste is rich or bland,
Nor with how many or how few dishes there are.
Nor with how many or how few dishes there are.
Food is the medicine that sustains life,
Food is the medicine that sustains life,
If it relieves hunger and thirst, that is enough.
If it relieves hunger and thirst, that is enough.
If you feel discontent or desire more,
If you feel discontent or desire more,
That craving turns this meal into molten iron and bitter copper.
That craving turns this meal into molten iron and bitter copper.
If you forget how this food has come to you,
If you forget how this food has come to you,
You are like a beast of burden, ignorant and ungrateful.
You are like a beast of burden, ignorant and ungrateful.
All who walk the path, take these words to heart.
All who walk the path, take these words to heart.
When you eat, always recite them in your mind.
When you eat, always recite them in your mind.
May the strength gained from this meal
May the strength gained from this meal
Nourish this body and sustain this form.
Nourish this body and sustain this form.
May it become the fortress protecting the Dharma,
May it become the fortress protecting the Dharma,
And the vessel that ferries beings across the sea of suffering.
And the vessel that ferries beings across the sea of suffering.
May all beings, guided by the teaching,
May all beings, guided by the teaching,
Together be born in the Land of Peace and Happiness.
Together be born in the Land of Peace and Happiness.
That such a profound verse was composed spontaneously shows how truly remarkable Hōrin was as a scholar-priest. In fact, a hanging scroll depicting him pressing the top of his head is still displayed in the lecturer’s room during the Hongwanji summer study session (Ango). I once peeked in to take a look as I walked by—this is not the actual photo, but I’ve attached a photo here.
That such a profound verse was composed spontaneously shows how truly remarkable Hōrin was as a scholar-priest. In fact, a hanging scroll depicting him pressing the top of his head is still displayed in the lecturer’s room during the Hongwanji summer study session (Ango). I once peeked in to take a look as I walked by—this is not the actual photo, but I’ve attached a photo here.
Food is not merely something that satisfies our desires. It is “medicine to sustain life.” For us ministers, it is also a sacred meal made possible through the offerings of many Sangha members. May we always be mindful of the effort and sacrifice behind each meal, receive it with gratitude, and never take it for granted.
Food is not merely something that satisfies our desires. It is “medicine to sustain life.” For us ministers, it is also a sacred meal made possible through the offerings of many Sangha members. May we always be mindful of the effort and sacrifice behind each meal, receive it with gratitude, and never take it for granted.
Gassho.
Gassho.
(Words Before Meals, as used in the Hongwanji tradition)
(Words Before Meals, as used in the Hongwanji tradition)
Through the lives of many beings and the efforts of many people,
Through the lives of many beings and the efforts of many people,
We are blessed with this meal.
We are blessed with this meal.
We express our joy in this opportunity,
We express our joy in this opportunity,
And gratefully receive it. Itadakimasu.
And gratefully receive it. Itadakimasu.
Gassho,
Gassho,
Rev. Yuki
Rev. Yuki
The Placer Buddhist Church is located at 3192 Boyington Road in Penryn California, County of Placer. It is located at the scenic base of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains just off Interstate 80. It is approximately half way between San Francisco and Reno, Nevada.
The Placer Buddhist Church is located at 3192 Boyington Road in Penryn California, County of Placer. It is located at the scenic base of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains just off Interstate 80. It is approximately half way between San Francisco and Reno, Nevada.
The Church was founded in 1902 in the small foothills town of Penryn. The original church was near the center of town approximately 3 miles from its current location. The church moved to its current location in approximately 1963. The church is well known in the community for the annual food bazaar which is always held on the 4th weekend of September. The annual food bazaar started in 1964, just after the church moved to the new location.
The Church was founded in 1902 in the small foothills town of Penryn. The original church was near the center of town approximately 3 miles from its current location. The church moved to its current location in approximately 1963. The church is well known in the community for the annual food bazaar which is always held on the 4th weekend of September. The annual food bazaar started in 1964, just after the church moved to the new location.
The church supports many organizations such as the Placer Buddhist Women’s Association (PBWA), Sierra Bonsai Club, Dharma School, and Placer Ume Taiko Group. The church also holds various classes during the week including Buddhist Study Classes, Tai Chi, Obon dancing and exercise classes. See the church calendar for class times.
The church supports many organizations such as the Placer Buddhist Women’s Association (PBWA), Sierra Bonsai Club, Dharma School, and Placer Ume Taiko Group. The church also holds various classes during the week including Buddhist Study Classes, Tai Chi, Obon dancing and exercise classes. See the church calendar for class times.
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