Teaism

Tea was first grown and used in China as a medicine, later becoming drunk as a relaxing beverage.  Originally imported from China in the 15th Century to Japan, tea drinking there became an aesthetic activity bound up with the cult of Teaism.  The earliest tea masters were Zen priests, who used the tea ceremony to communicate their Taoist teachings intuitively.

 

  "The Book of Tea" by Kakuzo Okakura describes in detail the origins and growth of Teaism and its philosophical basis. Okakura writes that,

 

"Teaism is a cult founded on the adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday existence"

 

However, Teaism, as representing the "art of life" has received little attention in the western world.  Tea drinking, although popular now, has lost its Eastern significance as a spiritual ceremony.

 

The true significance of the tea ceremony was to imbue the participants with purity, harmony, respect and tranquility.

 

Purity
Tea making uses pure ingredients and should be made with pure intentions. It therefore encourages purity of heart and purity of mind.

 

Harmony
The harmony of Taoist teachings comes about through balance.  The actions and presence of the individual tea drinkers merge into one defining ritual and  therefore becomes a thing of beauty and peace.

 

Respect
Respect comes about between individuals when they understand that it is a privilege to be able to drink tea together. No account is taken of differences, whether of class, status or wealth.  To reinforce this belief, the early tea masters used simple cups to illustrate how everyone and everything serves a useful purpose, whether plain or not and should be treated with the same due care and attention.

 

Tranquility
Teaism is a path to stillness, peace and silence because it is a mindful action which is necessary for tranquillity. And when tranquillity is achieved, purity, harmony and respect will also be present.

 

In Summary
The purpose of the tea ceremony in the East was:

 

·     To bring the high and lowly together as one.
·     It focuses on beauty
·     It encourages humility and selflessness
·     It brings health benefits
·     It is a ritual with meaning
·     It fosters a state of thankfulness and harmony with nature
·     Drinking tea with others brings about unity of spirit

               So what are you waiting for - go and put the kettle on!!