Original Report

[Reported by Ven. Zhiwen, Yilan, Renjian News] 2024-02-03
 

From January 29 to 31, the "Tea Ch'an: Beginner" course was held at the Fo Guang University Museum, part of the Fo Guang Shan Million People Cultivating Education Memorial Hall. Yashi Zhai Tea Culture instructor and president of the International Fo Guang Society Su'ao Chapter, Qiu Qiuwei, was invited to teach the brewing techniques for ball-shaped teas such as High Mountain Oolong, Dongding Oolong, and Tieguanyin. She generously shared the rituals and aesthetics of tea service and tea set arrangement with the 12 participants from the Buddhist Studies Department at Fo Guang University.

Qiu Qiuwei mentioned that her family has a deep connection with Fo Guang University, as her spouse, a civil engineering professional, participated in the university's construction projects in the past.

Qiu Qiuwei elaborated on the various tea-drinking methods throughout Chinese history, recounting the stories behind the famous teas. The brewing techniques taught in this course trace back to the "Small Pot Brewing" tradition from the Ming Dynasty, differing from the Japanese tea ceremony, which originates from the Song Dynasty's "whisked tea" method. The course offered a profound historical perspective on Chinese tea culture.

She explained the classification systems for tea, such as dividing teas into six types by "color" and three types by "aroma": fresh, ripe, and strong. Different teas require specific tea wares and brewing techniques. Additionally, she discussed Taiwan's tea plant varieties, unique Taiwanese teas, and their production processes. "Tea can carry a boat or capsize it," emphasized Qiu, noting that different teas should be consumed in different seasons to achieve health benefits.

Qiu Qiuwei demonstrated how to incorporate Chinese classical poetry and the Dharma words of Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, into tea rituals. This approach can subtly educate participants and make tea culture an accessible Buddhist practice for all ages.

During the session, Venerable Jueguan, a professor from the Buddhist Studies Department at Fo Guang University and the instructor of the Yunshui Academy Guzheng Ensemble, performed an impromptu Buddhist piece on the guzheng. As the saying goes, "The elegant pleasure of qin and tea continues," making this tea ceremony course uniquely enriching!