A Serene Connection of Zen and Tea

A class of Zen Tea was held on the 9th of October with Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island New Zealand (NZ) Temple Supervisor, Venerable Jue Xi guiding 5 practitioners grouping up to 20 students and divided into groups named amongst the 10 Principal Disciples of Buddha, grouped as Sariputra, Maudgalyayana, Mahakasyapa, Ananda, and Subhuti.

Venerable Juexi shared with the class on body adjustment, breathing adjustment, adjustment of the heart, sitting meditation and entering into practicing Zen Tea. The venerable explained, Zen Tea is a combination of tea etiquette and sitting meditation designed to train physical and mental coordination, peacefulness and focus, and to cultivate serving sentiment to others. It’s also to enhance interaction and in the same time bringing comfort and eliminating pressure, boosting good health of the body and soul.

Under the guidance of Venerable Jue Xi, the practitioners firstly invited the FGS students in experiencing original appearance of the tea leaves; then they warmed up the teapot, the cup and the base. It was then followed by putting the tea leaves into the pot. In this practice, the venerable expressed the connection between Zen and tea with their significance, giving the practitioners and students deeper meaning in understanding Samadhi.

Going through the elegant yet serene tea tasting, the venerable invited the practitioners and students to share their realizations. The practitioners shared that while brewing tea, one must learn the humbleness in serving others, combine it with exquisite atmosphere and good practice, one would surely be able to make great tea. Students and youths from the Young Adult Division said they released their pressure accumulated from the long week and being able to relax after learning the occasion. In finishing this course, students also hope that they could serve a better Christchurch and lead them to a taste of Zen Tea.