Culinary Arts
Zen is life. Thus, eating is indispensable for Zen. Regarding the act of eating, we must take into consideration three elements: the ingredients, the method of preparation and the person who eats.
At Morro da Vargem Zen Monastery, however, the size of the portions is not exactly determined in its recipes. What is important for the person who is cooking is freedom to create and to express one’s self in each dish prepared. Harmony of flavors is something the cook must strive to obtain, thus liberating the need for exact portions in the recipes.
Dogen Zenji taught:
If the six flavors (bitter, sweet, sour, salty, hot, and mild) are not in harmony and the food lacks the three virtues (smoothness, cleanliness and formality), then the offering of the Tenzo (the monk who is the cook) to the congregation will not be complete.
Prayer for before meals:
“First, we reflect on the effort that brought us this food and consider how it comes to us.
Second, we reflect on our virtue and practice, and whether we are worthy of this offering.
Third, we are careful regarding greed, hatred and ignorance, to protect our minds and free us from excesses.
Fourth, we partake of this good medicine to save our bodies from weakening.
Fifth, we eat this food to continue on Buddha’s path.”
Feel free to experiment some of the dishes that are prepared by our Tenzo:
BR-101, Km 217, Ibiraçu/ES
CEP:29670-000
tel/fax 27 3257-3030