the moment

The other day fate dished out an encounter with Chinese Zen Teaist, Jenny Tai, all the way from Shanghai. Jenny is learning the Zen mind of Tea from a Chinese Zen master. As Jenny was serving us all Tea in a Zen inspired gongfu-style, I was captivated at the spirituality of her Tea. It was like taking a deep breath of crisp mountain air I've not tasted in years. After the gongfu session we all went to the beach, set up the CUBE, lit the billy and went for a swim in the ocean while waiting for the water of the billy to boil. Then while allowing the sunset to refresh our beings, I had the pleasure of serving Tea Samurai Tea-style.

At the end of the gongfu session Jenny was asked: 'What do you think is most important aspect of the Way of Tea?'. Jenny replied: 'The moment.'

Rid that which you don't need. The spirit of 'one moment, one encounter' is the spirit in which to conduct Tea. I was shown this at a very deep level through this unforgettable moment, this one encounter.

先日、上海から来た、功夫茶を通して茶と禅の精神を探求しているジェニー・タイさんとの一会が出来ました。中国の禅僧侶の元で功夫茶の修行をしているようで、功夫茶会でジェニーさんの精神性の高い御茶を戴くことが大変新鮮でした。その後、ビーチに行って、CUBEを組み立てて、御湯に火をつけました。御湯を沸騰するまでに海で泳いできました。そして精神をリーフレッシュする日の入りの力を戴きながら武家茶道で一服。

功夫茶会の最後に、「茶の道とはどういうところが最も大事ですか」と人に聞かれると、「the moment」とジェニーさん。

いらんことはいらん。一期一会精神で御茶に向き合うべきだと、改めて分った忘れられない一会でした。