Why Are We Eating?

Eating is one way of interacting with our environment; it is one form of relationship to material things. When eating, we use our tongues, our palate, to connect with external, material food; eating is therefore one aspect of ‘conduct.’

If by eating we generate advantageous, beneficial results, our conduct is considered accomplished; if, however, we generate ill-effects and cause harm, our conduct is defective.

Concurrently, while eating, we have various states of mind: contentment and discontent, pleasure and displeasure, cheerful and morose states, vigilant and heedless states, etc.

And on another level, our contentment and discontentment, happiness and suffering, etc. depends on our understanding. If we are aware that the true purpose of eating is to promote good health, we will experience a certain kind of satisfaction. But if we lack this awareness and wise reflection, seeking only to gratify the desires of the palate and taste delicious flavours, our pleasure and satisfaction will veer off in another direction.

Understanding is a supportive condition; it acts as a guide for experiencing happiness or unhappiness. It determines our state of mind, e.g. contentment or dissatisfaction.

The Buddhist teachings encourage us to apply our intelligence and insight to reflect on the question: ‘For what purpose, for what sake, are we eating?’

This reflection by Venerable Payutto is an excerpt from Education Made Easy, (pdf) pp.14-15; translated into the English by Robin Moore.