無我茶會 wu-wo, anatta, sans self tea gathering
無我茶會 wu-wo, anatta, sans self tea gathering
The Concept of Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony
Literally it is the Buddhist term “Sanskrit: anatta; Pali: anatman”, loosely defined as “no me/self” or “French: sans moi”, sans self tea gathering. The last part is (茶會) meaning is tea ceremony or tea gathering. “Wu-Wo” is a style of Tea Ceremony. “Wu”, and “Wo”, are actually Chinese words with philosophical meaning. When we use the word “wu” (無), it means; a void or absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine therefore it is like an infinite space. When we use the word “wo” (我), it means mine, self or being. When we put these two words together they almost seem like a contradiction in terms, the word “wo”, seems like being and the word “wu”, seems like not being. But we must reach and look deeper into the meanings of both words. “Wu-Wo” (無我), means; to empty the mind like an endless void and it is without anything to sense; it is just “being” with no physical or mental attachments. For example, we should forget about our: knowledge, wealth, appearance, and etc. So there is group equality without prejudice. This is our concept of “Wu-Wo”. And this is shown in the “Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony”.
The Symbol of Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony
A circular rainbow is the symbol for the Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony. Why does the Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony’s flag have the colors of the rainbow? A rainbow is made of seven basic colors and when combined together become blank white light. The Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony pursues the “circular rainbow” and goes towards the blank light or empty circle in the rainbow's center. The blended white light or empty circle of the flag’s rainbow can be thought of as “wu”. The Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony follows this concept, for example, people have: knowledge, wealth, appearance, etc, and tries to forget these things, and transcend.
The History of Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony
Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony began in Taiwan by a small group of people. “Lu-Yu Tea Culture Institute陸羽茶藝中心” the founder of the “Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony”; has been an active part in the growth of this once small group from Taiwan (almost twenty years ago) to now an International Organization, ranging from all the corners of the globe. I have been translating in English "Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony" and writing about the many facets of Tea Culture.
Written by
What is needed:
- hot water in a thermos four times larger than your cover bowl or teapot
- teapot or cover bowl
- tea pitcher
- four teacups
- tea tray
- cloth wraps for tea ware and basket, backpack, or bag
- watch or timer for brewing
- small cloth
- mat or stool or cushion
- tarp, cloth, or towel to setup on
We will make tea four times and we will make four servings each time.
*1st brew, we pour into four cups and go serve to the adjacent three neighbors on the left (the last cup we reserve and enjoy our self), we will receive three cups of tea served from the adjacent three neighbors on the right.
*2nd brew we pour into four spectator cups and this time serve four spectator and return and fill our own cup if any tea is left.
*3rd brew we take the tea pitcher and go serve the same three tea brewers on the left with the tea pitcher.
*4th and last brew we take the tea pitcher and serve any four spectators that do not have tea.
Steven R. Jones
Taipei, June 16, 2005(revised 2012.4)
2005 國際無我茶會 International Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony
============== =
The 13th International Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony and Tea Culture Festival
Care for a cuppa? Well, you've come to the right place. Wherever you go on this green island, there seems to be a place or two within easy sight that serves up the golden brew. Growing tea is a big business here, and the fragrance of Taiwan leaves are known and cherished by knowledgeable tea drinkers around the globe. The renowned“tea ceremony” is long-established and much savored here, with its fastidiousness about ritual, brewing technique, utensils used, character of each type of leaf and its season, and with the advent of this summer season, you are hereby cordially invited to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall for some good brew, fine fragrance, and equally fine talk.
Taiwan is not only a key world producer of quality tea leaves, but also an important place in the world of tea culture. In 1989, the Lu-Yu Tea Culture Institute established Taipei's Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony , open to all comers regardless of nationality, race, or religion. The point of the initiative was simple— enjoying tea. Its brewing, its presentation etiquette, and its tasting,each embodying the harmonious spirit of tea arts, and modern Taiwan concepts concerning tea are being brought to the ceremony. The Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony is now an international event, with editions staged in Taiwan, China, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and as far as the United States.
The Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony—Preserving Distinction, Promoting Culture
The event in each country follows that land's own national character, aesthetics, philosophical outlook, and traditional crafts, which together engender pleasingly distinctive tea art cultures. The Japanese, for example, inherited their tea culture from the literati of China's Song Dynasty, bringing the tea ceremony etiquette and the quest for the ultimate in refinement out from the temple and into the lives of commoners. Tea drinking became a cultural activity that crossed boundaries of social status. The master of the household prepares tea and dedicated snack foods to entertain guests, with both host and guests following highly ritualized etiquette and procedures.
The practice of sitting down for tea also has a long history in Korea, where there are many forms of traditional tea, with up to hundreds of different ingredient used. These include different types of grain such as barley and corn, medicinal herbs, and fruits. In recent years in the US, in large part because of the Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony promotion, there has been a surge of interest in tea arts and the meditative joys brought in the act of brewing. In China, the tea ceremony is steeped in Confucian thoughts, emphasizing the concept of the beauty of the mean via harmonious reconciliation of the bitter, sweet,and sour. The Confucian tradition is also manifested in the emphasis on courteous hospitality toward guests,especially elders, and on a presentation of modesty and amiability while drinking.
This year will see the 13th different International Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony and Tea Culture Festival , which is held every two years in different places. Taiwan was chosen as this year's host by the organizer in order to celebrate the centenary of the Republic of China, and the event will be spread over 6 days, from May 27 to June 1, letting people from around the world get an intimate look at this island's wonderful teas and its appealing tea culture.
The Tea Party—Fulfilling Your Taste and Artistic Desires
The event will be divided into“active”and “quiet”sections. In the active component will be attractions such as the“Party of A Thousand Big Tea Party,”“Essay Presentations,”and“Tea Ceremony Performances”demonstrating the different approaches taken by peoples around the world.Experts from near and far will be present for the teavaganza,including from Japan, Korea, mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, United States, Italy, and France, with the essence of their national cultures demonstrated in the tea ceremonies. In the quiet component, the focus will be on tea-related poetry, calligraphy, tea utensils, tea setting placement, etc.
On each day of the event, there will be times for special brewings of tea by masters of the art, which will then be presented to visitors. Lovers of all things tea! There is only one place for you to be at this time this summer—at this international celebration with an army
of like-minded new friends.
Information
The 13th International Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony and Tea Culture Festival
Source:Taipei City Government
Date:2011-06-24
http://www.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=2032649&ctNode=30542&mp=100002
