Tenzo – Christmas Roast
Abbot Reding (Zen monk) from the Honora Zen monastery in Switzerland, as the monastery cook (Jap. Tenzo 典座), prepares the Christmas roast for the monks and family.
Tenzo - Cook
Besides the abbot, the cook (tenzo) is the most important person in the Zen monastery; he is responsible for the physical well-being and health of the Zen students and guests. The temple cook prepares all dishes wholeheartedly and makes sure that nothing is wasted. He is extremely valued and respected.
Everyday things should be guarded like the apple of your eye.
Cooking Quarters
Food is a most important part of daily life. In the monastery the elder monks are the cooks. They wake up earlier than the other monks to prepare the meals. We eat what is served, even for the poorest meal we show deep thanks.
Hungry Ghosts
At breakfast and lunch we offer a small part of the food to the hungry ghosts. It is collected in a small bowl and will be put on the kitchen veranda for birds, who will soon come to eat it.
Contemplation - Tenzo
Now, when you cook, the meditation is simply there just as it is. Although you cook all day, you are unaware of cooking; although you walk all day, you are unaware of walking; although you eat, you are unaware of eating; even if you sleep all day and night, you will be unaware of having slept. Such is the state of the Oneness. When going, the meditation is going; when coming, the meditation is coming. The meditation is no longer constantly appearing and disappearing. When coming or going, it is just as it is. When a person at this state meditates, he is like a great unmoving mountain. When sitting, he just sits. He truly has the bearing of a mountain.
