Baverstock Oaks School Teachers Experiences the Joys of Tea Meditation at the Temple
Baverstock Oaks School Teachers Experiences the Joys of Tea Meditation at the Temple
After participating in this year’s “Festival of Culture Sharing”, under the leadership of Principal Mary Wilson, 40 teachers from Baverstock Oaks School returned to the Temple on 28th July to experience the tranquillity of tea meditation. After explanations from Minister in Charge Venerable Juehao, they all took seat.
Venerable Abbess Manshin guided the teachers through the procedures of silent sitting meditation, where one joins hand mudra, count and contemplate the breath, adjust the mind and relax the body. All are encourage to let go of all causes and conditions, especially all personal issues and school work, so one can discover the self again. Then tea meditation attendant proceeds to offer flowers to the Buddha, receive the tea, inspect the tea, warm the pot, brew the tea, empty the cup, serve the tea and savour the tea. All proceedings flowed onwards peacefully.
The Abbess hoped everyone can harmonies their lives by slowing down, so they can be aware of all causes and conditions including matter, issues and people. This will pacify the mind and allow one to awaken to the profound. The attendants all served everyone with a clearly aware and grateful heart. This is just like a teacher’s attitude of patience and enthusiasm will surely nurture more useful talents for the country. Through the simple ceremony of tea meditation, one gets to go on a journey through the mind.
While savouring the tea’s sweet aftertaste, the Abbess described this feeling as the tea leaving us a reminder note, which isn’t unlike savouring a cup of coffee. This is like a barista giving the customer an accompanying cup of water with the coffee so they can re-taste the coffee’s bitter sweetness. Human lives and all phenomena in the world need a reminder note. Just like interpersonal relationships need reminder notes so we all have room to manoeuvre. Therefore reminder notes are a kind of life’s art. The Abbess encouraged the teachers to remind themselves to leave themselves some time to settle their own worries and stress, leave a few words of loving kindness and mutual respect to receive unlimited joy. This will beautify one’s life.
Principal Wilson thanked the temple for arranging this peaceful session of tea savouring. This is allowed all teachers to experience a moment of tranquility after being busy for so long. When the philosophy of tea meditation can be practice in life, more time can be left for one to converse with their own mind and this is the best kind of rest. She hopes to have more opportunities for everyone to come back and recharge.