😊 The arts of tea indulgence have been recognised as teaism in Japan’s folklore under which there are protocols that must be followed from the way tea is cured to the way it is served. Tea utensils have also been intentionally crafted to indicate creation meaning.
From China’s folklore, tea demonstrations have been one of the most popular with fast movements called tea martial arts.
Under Europe’s folklore, the way tea is indulged is symbolised by the English s style which is simple and served with cookies. Having tea is as to relax after a long day at work.
What about tea in Viet Nam’s folklore? Is it similar to teaism, martial arts or simply an afternoon tea?
Vietnamese people enjoy tea completely different from Japanese and Chinese people.
Vietnam citizens appreciate tea in a uniquely different way, just like Lao Tzu says “To not be Taoism is to be”.
If we consider Taoism is “the way”, the way to indulge tea, Vietnam’s citizens do have their unique teaism which lies in how they have their tea. Vietnam’s teaism is not only about simplicity and forthcoming but also immaculate in its soul. It’s not as polished as Japan’s, not overly demonstrative like China’s, nor too practical like Western’s. Vietnam’s teaism is all about its simplicity.
Further, what’s it-ism? It truly lies in one of our famous Lohan Trần Nhan Tong’s poems “Hunger calls for consumption, tiredness for rest”. That is, when one sips tea, one feels satisfied in a hot summer day, or the warmth during a cold winter night.
Tea trees grow on Mother Earth or Wood Element, forged under the Sun or Fire Element, nursed by winds and rain or Water Element, and harvested by locals by using metal devices or Metal Element. The tea is Wood Element per se.
From Taoism, humans are eternally formed by the Five Elements which suggests that having tea is blending with the Universe. In other words, is it this the equilibrium of nature? When indulges, the Five Elements permeate our soul and happily reside there.
Having tea whenever and wherever with anything daily item one has such as a bowl, a pot without formality like Japan’s, nor demonstration like China’s. All they ever need are a pot a tea.
Vietnamese may have tea in an open field, next to a litter of oxes, listening to the sound of rice haul vibrations, looking on at a flying kite, dreaming or simply appreciating their harvest for the year. That’s simplicity. It-ism is about nature without formality. It is not about having tea nor tea cost, nor tea type, but it is about nature without compromise which has been achieved by Vietnam’s citizens. That is the it-ism in Vietnam’s tea philosophy. The Grand Master Thich Nhat Hanh wrote the following transmissions
“One’s hands lift holiness water
One’s heart touches enlightenment
One’s spirit surrenders to rest
One’s presence and mind become one”
#Kytracac #MasterKy #tradao #thuongtra #vanhoatra
