Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Posted by 醉茶生 at 09:51 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Categories: Tea Related

The full Japanese tea ceremony or chanoyu 茶之湯 (also written 茶の油) takes hours to perform and is seldom seen by foreigners, both because of the length of the ceremony and because it requires training even to participate as a guest. The modern ceremony finds its origins in the teachings of the first Japanese tea master, Sen Rikkyu 千利休 (1522 to 1591), who taught that the four elements are Wa 和 Kei 敬 Sei 靜 Jaku 寂. This is not a zengo 禪語 (zen phrase), but it represents the essence of Sen Rikkyu’s teachings. Like a zengo, it is simple, but the mastery of it requires much practice.

Wa Harmony. Wa is firstly the relationship between the host and the guest. For this reason, the Japanese tea ceremony cannot be performed alone (in direct contrast with Chinese tea drinking, where the solitary appreciation of tea is valued first). In life, this principle is extended towards all human relationships. In the tea ceremony, this extends to the utensils used to make the tea as well. In life, it extends to the whole of nature.

Kei Respect. In the tea ceremony, Kei means regard and consideration by the host for the guest and vice-versa. In life, it means understanding and accepting others, even those with whom we disagree. It means not only respecting others, but also humbling oneself. In the tea ceremony, this means that each utensil is treated with equal reverence and importance, regardless of its monetary value. In life, it means valuing even the smallest, most humble things for its utility and purpose, and not for its price.

Sei Purity. Sei is not an issue of literal cleanliness, but of purity of heart. It includes the concept of simplicity. The kimono for the tea ceremony should be simple and not extravagantly embroidered. The ornament for the tea room should likewise be focused on the theme for the ceremony with no extraneous decorations or material: there is usually only a simple flower arrangement (chabana 茶花) and a piece of calligraphy. The heart should be focussed only on the tea and bringing pleasure the to guest, and should be untroubled by distractions. Sen Rikyu’s ideal of purity was the natural look of a garden after it has been raked and cut, and a few leaves from a tree have fallen onto the freshly cut moss.

Jaku Tranquility. Jaku is the ultimate goal of the tea ceremony. It is the point in one’s practice when there is a true emptiness of heart (虛心). It is a close kin of the enlightenment that one seeks to achieve in Zen Buddhism. There is no self, there is only tea and the ceremony. The tea master who reaches this point is able to put the ideals of harmony, respect and purity into practice, and to begin life anew, this time with an enlightened heart.

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