Serenity Tea Meditation at FGS South Island

Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Buddhist Temple South Island New Zealand’s tea meditation sessions continue into May, the last one being held on the 28th in the main shrine. Temple Ministry-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi led the followers into meditation and tasting of the tea. This week, “Subhuti” team leader Jack Liu introduced one of the Buddha’s ten principle disciples – Subhuti – Master of emptiness. The Diamond Sutra has such a phrase - “Those who tries to sight me with their eyes, or hear with their ears, is on the evil path, and unable thus to see the true me [Buddha]”. This is why Buddhism strongly preaches a right mentality, that is not outwardly seeking, but one takes looks inside to discover the Dharma.

During the tea meditation session, Venerable Jue Xi told the followers that who drink and those who pours tea, are respectively the server and receipient. Between the server and receipient, they must understand the principle of emptiness. By not judging the tea and drinking it, can then one taste the true taste of the tea. The heart is one with the tea. If the heart is at peace and happy, then the tea will be sweet and refreshing. If the tea tastes bitter, it means the heart is unbalanced and sorrowful. As the tea tasting proceeds, Venerable Jue Xi leads everyone into meditation, calming all hearts that were busy into a tranquil state.

After the tea meditation, someone asked Venerable Jue Xi on how to observe one’s breathing when meditating. Venerable Jue Xi says that there are multiple ways to handle breathing, depending on the environment and each individual’s personal circumstances. Everyone was thankful for the continued regular tea meditation classes held every month, letting them calm down and relax fully on a joyous Weekend.