The Taste of Life in Tea Tasting

The subtle fragrance and the rich, deep colour of tea—these are the elements that define the pleasure of tea tasting. The flavours found within a cup of tea are indeed worth savouring with care. However, one must realise that this is merely a form of worldly Zen, a temporary state of calm that does not yet reach the ultimate truth.

The Worldly Zen of Tea

There is a unique path within the art of tea. Many people in this world admire the way of tea, dedicating themselves to its practice with great passion. They become familiar with every ritual, every movement, and every nuance of the ceremony. They find a quietude in the slow, deliberate pace of the process, eventually reaching a state of pure, seamless integration with the tea itself.

When one tastes tea, one enjoys its aroma, its warmth, and its sweetness. Those who are well-versed in this art look forward to these moments of enjoyment. They appreciate the nourishment that this slow, mindful process brings to the heart. As the fragrance of the tea gently moistens the throat, the mind becomes filled with a sense of order and simplicity. Yet, despite this, one cannot help but notice that a trace of worldly dust still remains.

The Limitations of Worldly Stillness

While one may derive wisdom from the act of brewing and drinking tea, this wisdom is limited. It arises from a quiet mind, and while it can provide inspiration for daily life, it is not the same as the profound awakening of the true self. True realisation can be found in all things, provided one has the awareness to discover it. When the mind is truly purified, one can perceive this much more clearly. However, tea tasting remains a worldly activity.

• The degree of purification achieved through such rituals is relatively shallow.The insights gained are limited to worldly principles rather than the ultimate truth.The focus is primarily on the sensory experience of enjoyment rather than the deep, internal work of spiritual purification.

This is the nature of worldly habits. It is quite different from the state of one who has truly transcended the dust and defilements of the world. When there is still dust within, the purification cannot be deep; it remains on the surface, far removed from the depths of the heart. This is the stillness of the world, which is fundamentally different from the stillness of one who has departed from the world.

The Agony of the Divided Mind

When purity and impurity are mixed, the pure aspect may allow one to have some awareness within the chaos, but it cannot lead to a great awakening. This is because true spiritual practice cannot coexist with worldly defilements. If one has not yet severed these worldly attachments, they will inevitably obstruct one's path, hindering the ability to realise one's true self and achieve Buddhahood.

When one cannot clearly distinguish between purity and impurity, one is like a person with one foot in the Pure Land and the other still firmly planted in the worldly realm. One may seem to understand the truth, yet the mind remains obstructed by worldly concerns. This is the most regrettable state of all. One will suffer greatly, caught in the agony of wanting to leave the world while being unable to let go of it. This internal conflict is the greatest suffering in the human world.

The Cycle of Rebirth and the Illusion of Movement

The cycle of rebirth is a state of constant, restless change. This continuous flux prevents beings from ever truly awakening. Because the cycle of samsara is always turning, beings are deeply attracted to this movement, becoming so lost that they cannot find a way out. They are unable to comprehend what true clarity and purification really mean. They are deluded by the unreal nature of the world, yet they are unwilling to let go of it. This is the most exhausting aspect of existence.

Even if one were to hear the profound laws of karma and cause and effect, if one does not understand them, one cannot be saved or awakened. Ultimately, clarity is something that each being must find for themselves. We are often lost in confusion because our attachment to the cycle of rebirth is too deep. Whether it is through intense emotional entanglement or a deep craving for worldly desires, these attachments keep us trapped in the constant movement of samsara, unable to find true, lasting peace.

Returning to the True Self

In this state of constant pursuit, we become accustomed to the movement. We are always seeking, always wanting to challenge ourselves, to possess, and to hold on. We find it impossible to let go. This is the collective chaos of our cycle of rebirth, and in this state of constant motion, it is easy to lose the freedom that comes with true stillness. The heart that seeks only the pleasure of tea tasting is like a heart seeking a moment of relaxation within the world's dynamic chaos. Outside of the tea ceremony, the mind remains cluttered with confusion, especially with the desires to pursue and possess.

The greatest magnificence of learning the Buddha Dharma is that one can enjoy a state of Zen that is far superior to any worldly tea ceremony. In this state, the very air one breathes feels as fragrant and nourishing as the finest tea, and the flavour is pure and sweet. This is the Zen of the true, purified heart. To seek this, one must learn to let go of the chaos of the world and depart from the disturbances of the cycle of rebirth. By doing so, one transforms this into the purity of one's own true self. One must understand the difference between movement and stillness. In this turbulent world, to find the way back to the purity of your own heart, you must be willing to let go of all worldly desires. Delusions arise from desire; only when you know how to let go can you attain the purity of your true self. I hope that all practitioners will find this path.

Namo Amituofo.