Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org

eat to do so meditatively, recognizing each experience
objectively, that they may be clearly aware of their state of
hunger, paying more attention to fulfilling the needs of the
body than the desires of the mind.
Food plays an important role in our lives as Buddhist
meditators; if we let our intake be guided by our tongue
rather than our stomach, we will inevitably suffer both from
the immediate effects of overeating and the long-term
effects of disease. If we wish to progress quickly along the
path, we must control our appetites, eating only once or
twice per day during intensive meditation periods and only
as much as is necessary to function in other circumstances.
We should also be mindful of the quality of our food. If we
follow our tongues, we will eat food that is harmful to the
body, while shunning food that is beneficial; we will cultivate
both physical discomfort and mental discontent. It even
happens sometimes that a meditator is unable to continue a
meditation course because of their craving for things like
delicious food. Such is the danger of attachment.
The third requisite is lodging. A proper dwelling place can
have great benefit for a meditator; the Buddha extolled the
virtues of a dwelling place in the Vinaya Piṭaka:
“sītaṃ uṇhaṃ paṭihanti, tato vāḷamigāni ca.
sarīsape ca makase, sisire cāpi vuṭṭhiyo.
tato vātātapo ghore, sañjāto paṭihaññati.
leṇatthañca sukhatthañca, jhāyituñca vipassituṃ.”
“It wards off cold and heat, and beasts and creatures
besides;
reptiles too, and mosquitoes, and indeed the winter rains.
Moreover, the most terrible wind and heat is vanquished
as it arises.
It is for the purpose of seclusion and the purpose of
happiness; to meditate and to see clearly.”
– Cv 6.1
If we make use of a dwelling place for these purposes, it will
certainly be a boon for us in our practice. It is common,
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