Local Community Experience Tea Meditation at Christchurch Fo Guang Shan Temple

On November 26, FGY Art Gallery Christchurch organised the second session of Tea Ceremony event. Led by BLIA South Island Deputy President James LOW and President of Subchapter 1 Tiffany SU, the event attracted nearly 20 local participants to learn about the arts of tea and incense meditation.

With the guidance of Tea Practitioners, participants began the Tea Ceremony with meditation. The Practitioners then offered green tea to the participants and guiding them through the various steps of the ceremony. While the participants savoured the tea and engaged in self-reflections, they also understood the transformation of tea leaves, through high temperature, reverting to their original shape and releasing the aroma. Participants were tasted the tea, allowing its essence to slowly dissolve in their mouths.

In addition to tea tasting, the event also featured an appreciation of the art of incense, demonstrated live by the Subchapter 2 President, Qian CAO. Participants observed the burning of incenses with three different scents in an incense burner and the creation of beautiful patterns using a mould. Each participant had the opportunity to practice this themselves.

Participants expressed gratitude to the organizers for offering such a wonderful experience of Tea. They realized that a delicate, stable and present mind is crucial for brewing excellent tea. Some participants noted that while the art of incense may seem simple, it demands practice and patience to master the skills. Through the Tea ceremony, the participants also learned how Meditative Concentration can help bring simplicity and tranquillity back into their lives.