"The Five Contemplations before Eating" refers to the observation and contemplation that should be done before eating in the Zen Buddhism of East Asian Buddhism. It is also called: Five Contemplations before Eating, Five Contemplations Text, Five Contemplations Text on Eating, Training on Eating, etc. The original text comes from the "The Compendium of the Four-Part Vinaya with Supplementary Notes" by Master Daoxuan of the Tang Dynasty.
The five contemplations are:
Count the merits and measure the sources: reflect on how much merits you have made and how many things you have done; also think about how hard it is to get these foods.
Consider your own virtues and whether you are worthy of the offerings: reflect on your own actions and whether you can bear these offerings.
Prevent the mind from mistakes, greed and other things are the main purpose: prevent the mind from making three mistakes: do not be greedy for the best food because it is delicious; do not be foolish for the middle food; do not be angry for the inferior food because it is not delicious. Food is formed by the combination of many factors, so we should not be too attached to it.
Food is a "proper business" and "good medicine" to cure physical exhaustion. Food should be regarded as medicine that nourishes the body composed of the four elements, and one should not be greedy for it.
In order to achieve the Tao, we should accept this food: in order to nourish the body to practice and achieve the Tao, we eat this food and use the false to cultivate the true.
