Zen is not a religion, it is not merely a philosophy. It is a unique way of living simply, with meditation, values and virtues. Zen has been called “the religion without a god” which respects the divinity within all . . .
these are our values and virtues
harmony,
tranquility,
purity and
reverence
The tea way
Elements of the Tea Way are to accept, appreciate and revere what naturally occurs, exactly as it is – in an atmosphere of harmony, tranquillity, purity and reverence: we are all equal when we take time out for tea, with the concerns of the world temporarily distant.
This is the story
Zen Master Eisai who established Zen in Japan in the 12th century, was responsible for bringing the tea ceremony with him from China to Japan, in yet another blending of art, culture and Zen – he brought tea seeds back with him and planted the first tea garden on monastery grounds which eventually lead to the Tea Way: tea drinking as a Zen Art.
My own words on equality, musing over tea
These were my own thoughts on equality and divinity while musing over tea, in my own words, that the light dancing in the dark brought to me one week when I was writing a lot: in contemplation of respecting what a struggle times of shifting change can be for some of humanity:
Our lives are so fleeting,
floating motes
dust on the light
of the Universe’s dark canvas
that is the night
of the soul
and still,
we dance in the mystery
.
Here’s a short video from my archives
.
Namaste, Suzen
[Music is ZenZen, licensed from Silenciomusic.co.uk]
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SuZen YinZen 