The idea goes like this: Harmony is an essential component of Taoism, Respect a leading element of Confucianism, Purity is central to Shinto, and Tranquillity (referring to the enlightenment achievable by practising a Way) to Buddhism.
These principles are central to the practice of the Way of Tea and it is intended that this practice should bring them into the practitioner’s daily life. As my first teamaster, the remarkable, untimely deceased, Michael Soei Birch, often said, “Tea for life, not life for Tea”.
Over the next few weeks I intend to look at them one by one, explaining what they mean and how they are manifested within the Way of Tea. Obviously, these will be merely my understandings for which I am responsible, but with gratitude to all the guidance received over a quarter of a century.
Alex runs east teas in Borough Market, London, Friday 12-6p.m. and Saturday 9-4p.m. Email epoch@eastteas.com.
