One person, one cup of Tea, a whole world unto themselves. What is savored is the tea; what becomes tranquil is the heart; what is enlightened is the Zen; what is purified is the soul.
Tea, a tender leaf, carries profound cultural significance. It is not merely a beverage to quench thirst but also a spiritual anchor in Chinese life.
Zen is a practice, a state of inner peace and composure. The combination of tea and Zen transforms tea into an instrument for cultivation and a means of understanding life.
Tea is the spiritual bud of Zen, while Zen is the elevation of tea. The shared pursuit of both is the heart, insight, meditation, and self-cultivation.
Meditating and sitting in stillness are like brewing tea, both focused on a single state of being, engaging in dialogue with oneself and one's heart. A cup of tea, a Zen moment, like the interplay of light and shadow on Water and mountains, naturally coexist.
In modern society, tea and Zen culture remain significant. Amidst the fast-paced lifestyle, people often feel stressed and anxious. Sipping tea can help relax the body and mind, alleviating stress.
The root of human suffering lies in the inability to “let go.” Buddhist practice particularly emphasizes “letting go.” The renowned modern monk Master Xuyun said, “In cultivation, one must let go of everything to enter the path; otherwise, it is all in vain.”
The six internal faculties, the six external objects, and the six consciousnesses, all eighteen realms, should be released. Letting go of everything brings incredible ease, revealing a world of blue skies, vast seas, beautiful waters, clear mountains, bright days, gentle breezes, bright moons, and starry skies.
Savoring tea also requires “letting go.” Setting aside work and letting go of all trifles and concerns, “stealing a leisurely half-day,” is a realm of great freedom.
Letting go, and then letting go again, where could there be any worries? Be an unburdened person, laughing and talking about the stars and moon.
Still sitting and deep contemplation have been essential courses for Zen masters throughout history to understand Buddhist principles.
During periods of still sitting, drinking tea helps calm the mind swiftly, gathering Qi and focusing the spirit, enhancing the effectiveness of entering a meditative state. It also allows one to experience the strength that comes from tea and reflect on oneself. Thus, tea becomes the best companion for practitioners of Zen.
The nature of tea is also bitter. Through the characteristic of bitterness followed by sweetness and the presence of sweetness within bitterness, Buddhists can help those studying the Dharma taste life and penetrate the essence of suffering while sipping tea.
Life is like the flavor of tea, its bitterness and sweetness clearly understood through tasting.
Savoring tea is a delightful activity, related to the spirit and the soul. For thousands of years, people have participated in it, finding joy, captivated by tea's elegance and purity, enchanting generations upon generations.
As the ancients said, “In the absence of sentiment, time stretches long; clear tea surpasses wine, its fragrance subtle and lingering.” Life is like tea, both sweet and bitter. In still water, the tea is clear, and so too is the heart; the path of Zen is likewise.
Through the ages, amidst the clamor of the world, idly observing a bowl of tea, the steam rising, the delicate aroma slowly permeating the heart.
In still water, the tea becomes clear, and the heart follows suit, becoming clear as well. With a clear heart comes enlightenment through Zen. A cup of tea, a Zen moment, allowing us to taste the true meaning of life amidst the mundane and trivial, where tea resides within Zen.