Great as has been the influence of the art-masters in the field of art, it is as nothing compared to that which they have exerted on the conduct of life. Not only in the usages of polite society, but also in the arrangement of all our domestic details, do we feel the presence of the… Continue reading The Book of Tea
Author: zenteaone
Studying the Self
Delusion, enlightenment, training, life, death, Buddhas and all living things are in existence when there is Buddhism; none of the above exist when all is within the Truth; since the Way of the Buddha transcends unity and duality, all of the above exist; whilst we adore flowers they wither; weeds grow strong whilst we long… Continue reading Studying the Self
Protected: The Taste of White Tea
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The Finger Is Not the Moon
"Intoxicated by youthful dreams,I wandered far and widethrough marketplaces and countryside,until at last I met the Buddha!All compassionate, he sharedthe wondrous teachings with me.My faith was awakenedand I donned the robes of a monk.Dwelling in awareness,focusing heart and mind,I have attained the three knowledges,thanks to the Awakened One!Far and wide, the Lordhas sown the seeds… Continue reading The Finger Is Not the Moon
Is Zen a Religion?
Question: Is Chan (Zen) a religion? Chan Master Sheng Yen: Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment and taught Buddhadharma in India, at a time when its culture was spiritually and religiously oriented. He began his teachings by questioning some of the prevailing beliefs, such as the existence of individual souls, but for the sake of inducing followers… Continue reading Is Zen a Religion?
Everyday a Good Day
~ Movie Time ~ 日日是好日 Finding your passion in the most unexpected of places"Noriko and Michiko are cousins in their last year of university, trying to find their place in the world of adult life. Michiko is adventurous and graceful while Noriko is clumsy and slow to catch on—so when Michiko wants to begin tea… Continue reading Everyday a Good Day
Why Do You Practice?
A group of travelers came to visit Achaan Chah with three elegant questions: Why do you practice? How do you practice? What is the result of your practice? They were sent as a delegation by a European religious organization to ask these questions to a series of great masters throughout Asia. Achaan Chah closed his… Continue reading Why Do You Practice?
Ordinary Mind
中文 “Ordinary mind is the Way. What is an ordinary mind? — A mind without pretense, without dualistic thought of love and hate, right and wrong, acceptance and rejection, holy or mundane.” ~*~ “Practice is like adjusting the focus of a camera. After it reaches the right position, by pressing the shutter, it will show… Continue reading Ordinary Mind
A Good Companion
A cup of tea — It's a good companion when we are enjoying the company of friends, and also during those quiet moments when we wish to be alone. The simplicity of getting together with others to enjoy a cup of tea has appealed to people through the generations. By enjoying tea together, we take… Continue reading A Good Companion
True Chan
"True Chan (Zen in Japanese) cultivation is within our everyday life. Tireless discourses of the Patriarchs and the millions of words in Buddhist scriptures are there to remind us that at all times we must constantly introspect and contemplate to address the ignorance and defilements within us." ~ * ~ "Settling peacefully in the present… Continue reading True Chan
Mount Taimu
Mount Taimu(太姥山)in Fuding (福鼎)was originally called tea mountain in China. When Emperor Yao(尧帝, 2356 - 2255 BC) was in power, a woman called Blue Lady lived there and grew "green grass", a plant that had been used in extracting dye indigo since ancient times. She was generous in sharing with people the tea she made… Continue reading Mount Taimu
Six Virtues of Tea
中文页面 One ~ Becoming tea by letting go of the leaf upon meeting water ~ such is Generosity; Two ~ Diffusing the frangance of leaf and tea like burning incense ~ such is Upholding the Precepts; Three ~ Tolerating to be roasted and fermented, pressed and rubbed ~ such is Forbearance; Four ~ Eliminating lethargy… Continue reading Six Virtues of Tea
Zen Koan of Tea
中文页面 Master Zhaozhou asked a newly arrived monk, ‘Have you been here before?’The monk answered, ‘Yes, I have’.Master Zhaozhou: ‘Go drink tea’.He then asked another monk the same. The monk replied, ‘No, I haven’t been here’.Master Zhaozhou: ‘Go drink tea’. The head resident of monks asked the Master, ‘To the one who had been here,… Continue reading Zen Koan of Tea
Shakyamuni Buddha
Upon seeing the morning star, Gautama became Shakyamuni Buddha when He was, is and will be awakened to His TRUE SELF and said, says and will say, “I was, am and will be enlightened, together with the whole of the great earth and all its sentient beings, simultaneously.” Listen Gautama belonged to the Indian Nisshu… Continue reading Shakyamuni Buddha
