Ancient sage Confucius proposed that there are six realms in life: “At fifteen, I set my heart on learning; at thirty, I stood firm; at forty, I had no more doubts; at fifty, I knew what was the will of Heaven; at sixty, I could hear everything with equanimity; and at seventy, I could follow my heart's desire without overstepping any bounds.” There are also six realms of Tea drinking, and the experience can vary with different times and moods.
Realm Beyond the Realm
When starting to drink tea, many people find all teas taste the same — bitter. This is because their taste buds have not yet developed enough to discern the nuances of sweetness, astringency, and other flavors in the tea, leading to a feeling that all teas taste alike. At this stage, the “taste of tea” has not been fully appreciated, hence it is called the “Realm Beyond the Realm.”
The First Realm
After drinking tea for some time and gaining more knowledge about it, one begins to distinguish between different types of tea. The ability to taste bitterness, astringency, and sweetness emerges. Although still unable to fully appreciate the subtleties of tea flavors, one starts to enter the realm, hence it is called the “First Realm.”
The Realm of Harmony
Having drunk more tea, one becomes more sensitive to the details of its flavor. One can now discern the blend of Water and tea upon first sip, the texture, thickness, smoothness, and fullness of the tea liquor, as well as the lingering taste, salivation, aftertaste, throat resonance, and the sensation of spring water under the tongue. At this point, the tea drinker begins to seek the “harmony” in the tea, hence it is called the “Realm of Harmony.”
The Realm of Perception
The “perception” in this realm refers to “discovery.” At this stage, drinking tea becomes an experience of sensations: the feeling of brewing tea, the feelings the tea evokes, and the atmosphere created among people while drinking tea.
At this point, the first realm and the realm of harmony may become less important, as one awakens to the perception of life. One can easily capture both pleasant and unpleasant sensations.
The Realm of Cultivation
Achieving insight allows one to enter the “Realm of Cultivation,” where tea serves as a medium for cultivating both mind and body. Tea, being tranquil and not overly stimulating, has much to teach. Those who taste or Brew tea should also possess such aspirations, using tea-drinking as a way to cultivate inner peace.
The Realm of Liberation
Those who cultivate wisdom do so with varying levels of understanding and effort, and not all may achieve enlightenment. However, even if they do not reach this realm, they should still develop the mind of Bodhi and make great vows, vowing to liberate all beings and help them attain happiness and enlightenment. Since tea is the starting point, it becomes a gateway to liberation.
For those who attain true teachings, they must not keep them secret but should spread them widely, achieving incomparable merit. At this point, tea becomes a means to liberate beings, hence it is called the “Realm of Liberation.”