Within the Seon tradition we have a meditation-meal practice. At the end of the meal we rinse our bowls with a little water and then drink it. This practice, among other things, teaches us to be respectful of the Earth and of those who grew the food and brought it to us. The practice teaches us not to waste any food. On a planet where over seven thousand children die every day from a lack of food, this practice is very important. Respect. Do not waste your food. Even if you are very wealth, do not waste your food. Respect
The practice brings to mind the following old story:
A Zen master named Gisan asked a young student to bring him a pail of water to cool his bath.
The student brought the water and, after cooling the bath, threw on to the ground the little that was left over.
"You dunce!" the master scolded him. "Why didn't you give the rest of the water to the plants? What right have you to waste even a drop of water in this temple?"
The young student attained Awakening in that instant.
He changed his name to Tekisui, which means a drop of water.
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