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A
Japanese tea-ceremony
A
life-changing experience for anyone who tries it
As the communion is to the
Catholics, the tea ceremony is a beautiful meditation activity for the practitioners of Shinto religion. I attended the
Japanese tea ceremony in May, during the doll festival. The room was beautifully
decorated with cherry flowers and traditional dolls that belonged to a couple participating in the ceremony. Those dolls were in their families for generations and this couple was kind enough to share it with the group.
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As we came into the room we were instructed to wash our hands according to the Buddhist and Shinto traditions. Before this I was received at the door by elder ladies wearing elaborate
kimonos. We were told that they had come from a famous temple in
Kyoto and had been taught by a well-known teacher. The room was simple but pleasant. Through the window we could see the gray landscape of Tokyo. Inside the room there was an ambiance of meditation, peace, and happiness. The people, mostly elderly, looked happy and calm. It was like going back into the past, to the ancient Japan. |
 The ceremony is both elaborate and simple. It has well defined steps and each step is strictly followed. The meaning of the ceremony is to take time from our busy lives to fully appreciate everything going around us and concentrate on the beauty of the moment. It is believed that each element has a meaning.
In the main room, there is a small stove in the floor (traditional Japanese style) and the tea is prepared in a special tea pot only used for the tea ceremony. One single cup is used for all the participants to drink the tea. The cup is very special, it is passed from generation to generation and it is unique in its design.
The steps of the ceremony are well known to lovers of the Japanese culture, so I will not go over them. I will tell you of my own experience. I did not know what to expect so I was a little afraid about what to expect. But those feelings went away, as the Japanese participants were so helpful, patient, and understanding about my ignorance. Several of them spoke some English and thus were able to explain to us.
As I sat on the floor and observed all the steps I mediated (as I was indicated) in the uniqueness of the moment, in the pleasant people around me, in the exquisite aroma of the incense, and in this beautiful tradition of Japan.
I only had one opportunity to attend the tea ceremony, but it was a
close encounter with a Japan that is apparently
disappearing. I will always treasure my memories of the tea ceremony and its teachings. Now when I see something beautiful I contemplate it and think about the uniqueness of the moment. I have now learned to appreciate every moment, and how even small thing in our lives bring us joy and courage. Life is too precious to waste without stopping to appreciate all its beauty. The tea ceremony was for me a teaching in this manner, not that I did not know it before, but it was taught again in a special way.
If you have the opportunity to attend the tea ceremony and you are the type of person that likes to meditate, I will strongly recommend it.
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stereotypes of Japan |
