How exciting for you! I lived in Okinawa in Machinato and attended school in
Naha many years ago. I have wonderful and fond memories of the island. I think
the only bad ones are of soggy saltine crackers and reconstituted milk!

I'm including the prayer before meals so you can understand the whole idea
behind cleaning your bowl completely.


In Japanese: [romanji]

Jikiho

(Before meal)


Ten-no sanko-ni miwo atatame, chi-no gokokuni tamashii-wo yashinau. Mina kore
Honbutsu no jihi nari.


Tatoye itteki-no mizu, ichiryu-no komemo kudoku to shinku-ni yorazaru kotonashi.


Warera koreni yotte shinshin-no kenkowo mattoshi, Busso-no oshiye-wo mamotte
shion-ni hoshashi,


Hoshino jogyowo tasseshime tamaye.


Namu Myoho Renge Kyo

Itadakimasu

(After meal)
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo (3 times)

Gochisosamadeshita.


In English:

The rays of the sun, moon and stars, which nurture our spirits, and the five
grains of the earth, which nourish our bodies,
are all gifts of the Eternal Buddha. Even a drop of water or a grain of rice is
the result of meritorious work and hard labor.
May this meal help us maintain a healthy body, mind and spirit in order to
uphold the teachings of the Buddha, repay the
Four Favors, and perform the pure conduct of serving others.

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.

Itadakimasu

In gassho,

Rev. Myokei




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