"Heaven, immortals, humans, ghosts, all esteem it highly, for they know that by nature it is true and admirable."
Feel free to join the online book club at anytime by simply purchasing Korean Tea Classics. Dong Cha Song is 17 stanzas in length, we will go through each stanza week by week. Jump in and join the discussion as you please.
Peace
14 comments:
Was he a tea seller?:)
Ho Go,
Would a tea saint sell tea???
Hahaha...
Maybe for a little cash on the side?!?
Peace
These writers are always selling something, Matt.
Ho Go,
Suppose so, but not always something you can touch and see.
Peace
Ha ha ha... LOL about Ho Go's comments! These sentences are actually quite good for putting on tea packages!
"Mountain of the Eight Dukes" -- said to be home of the Dongshan temple. Does anyone know if that temple still exists?
Bev,
Bagong Shan (Eight Palace Mountain) certainly looks like a serene place to drink tea. See here:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/anhui/travel/2010-06/16/content_9781016.htm
There is no mention of Dong Shan (East Mountain) Temple though.
Peace
If a person drinks tea for a long time, it gives him strength and contentment of mind.
…and the person evolves, as stated by Sonhae Sunim in your previous article, Matt:
“As the ability to appreciate the subtle taste develops over the years, the person changes accordingly. For this reason tea drinking is said to be a ‘Way’. Someone who has drunk tea for twenty years or so is able to maintain the state of mind required to appreciate tea at all times.”
Julien ELIE,
May you drink tea for a long time and may your mind be forever content.
:)
Peace
All,
Notes on Stanza 3:
"Heaven, immortals, humans, ghosts all esteem it highly, for they know that by nature it is true and admirable."
This quote once again places tea as something that is otherworldly and divine.
"Emperor Yandi tasted it"
This suggests that tea has origins and connections to Asian culture that goes all the way back to the origins of agriculture in China. It also suggests that tea was first consumed as a medicine.
The comparisons to butter and sweet dew also reflect the taste of tea which compliments the second stanza which stresses the smell and colour completing the three dimensions of tea that are appreciated.
"When you hear the sound of wind in the pines, of rain on firs, quickly take the kettle from the stove. Wait for the noses you hear to grow silent, the cup of spring tea you will drink will be more delicious than butter."
This quote highlights the importance of tending to the fire and the role water temperature and depth of boil have in the final taste of tea.
Peace
Matt said...
"Ho Go,
Suppose so, but not always something you can touch and see."
Even worse! Selling belief systems is not A Way. Seems to me 'The Way', if you can call it that, begins with the end of belief. Seekers never seem to understand this. Ah well.
HoGo,
The phrase "Seek and Destroy" comes to mind here. Hahaha...
Think that "The Way" as change is interesting but true. There is even change that occurs with those who believe in "no belief" so "The Way" as change seems fitting.
As far as "selling" goes, as soon as you think a thought, open your mouth to speak, or put something into writing you are "selling". This is the reason that some of the most prominent Zen monks rarely spoke. Even their seemingly nonsensical Koans "sell" something to those who listen.
Again, thanks for your thoughts.
Peace
This is the reason that some of the most prominent Zen monks rarely spoke. Even their seemingly nonsensical Koans "sell" something to those who listen.
And even without speaking, they sell. There is a lot to learn from silence and contemplation.
Julien ELIE,
Very true!
Sometimes MattCha's Blog ends up selling more than was intended (and not because of its silence). ;)
Peace
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