Chapter 5 Baptized by the Rhythm of Tea In these past few days, we have remained intoxicated Within the long-drawn-out fragrance of the tea rhythm Devotedly submitted to the baptism by the primeval spirituality This baptism Has washed away our greedy lust Has cleansed the dust that covers the soul By the fresh fragrance of the Return to the Nascent Truth We have realized the essence of Life And have been reborn unto our true selves To return to the innocent Nature The feeling of no sound surpassing sounds Shall accompany us till the end of our lives. ~ Shen Ke-Zhen 162 Chapter 5 Tea Expedition Tea Expedition Journey of Cha-Dao to Wu Yi Mountain 2005 August 10-17 Background of the Tea Expedition Since the essence and spirit of the Cha-Dao is Love, to pursuit Cha-Dao as the goal, the Tea Meetings will naturally set out to propagate this new message. To share the truth, virtue and beauty of ne teas with love, and to help people to understand : Tea is a gift from God. Not only is it a drink of civilization, but is also nurture for entering the Tao. Tea is a nice media, and is helpful in purifying the body, mind, and soul. Tea elevates one’s spiritual consciousness to return to the Source of Life. When one nds peace within, then the surroundings in turn will become peaceful. Human beings could create Heaven on Earth together. A historical Cha-Dao Expedition, a large-scale Tea Banquet, was held during the week of August 10th to 17th in 2005 to Wu Yi Mountain in China. Tea friends from six different paths—Taiwan, Beijing, Shanghai, Nanchang, Wuhan, and Guangzhou, met at the destination in the northern part of Fukien Province, and conducted an eight-day spiritual tea banquet. Together they joined in the pursuit of truth, virtue and beauty of the Cha-Dao. Wu Yi Mountain was designated by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as one of the Natural and Cultural Heritages of the World (1999). On the southern slope of Da Wang Feng (Emperor’s Peak) at Mount Wu Yi, there Veiled Pavilion Mountain Atrium Journey of Cha-Dao to Wu Yi Mountain 163 stands a courtyard-style hotel, named the Veiled Pavilion Mountain AtriumƋ⸻Ẕ ⱘ㈦ƌ. It gets its name from the famous Banquet of the Veiled Pavilion, reputedly held on the site some two thousand years ago. The mountain atrium sits at the base of Veiled Pavilion Peak. The towering Da Wang Feng stands behind it, with an open grassy plane in front and the scene area of the Wu Yi Palace hugging its left and right anks. In its immediate vicinity are Wu Yi Palace, Zhu Xi Memorial Hall, Fang Gu (Way of the Ancients) Street and Liu Yong Shrine. The Nine Bends River meanders below, cutting a serpentine path through the rocky outcrops of the legendary Wu Yi range. Day One August 10, 2005 (Wednesday) The Veiled Pavilion Mountain Atrium, though only about a fifteen minute drive from the airport, is set with a beautiful environment—away from the noisy city area, and is very peaceful and serene. Our group from Taiwan was the last to arrive, and it was already nine p.m. by the time we reached the Mountain Atrium. After a few handshakes, hugs, and greetings, rooms were assigned, and guests were free to clean up a bit before enjoying a simple vegetarian meal. After the meal everyone moved into the conference room of the hotel, which served as our tearoom. All tea friends know that every day, no matter how late or how tired one may be, without exception one must brew up a pot of tea. This serves to wash away the weariness of the day and to balance the magnetic frequency. Only in doing so does one have the strength to meet the day to come. The conference hall, which had been prepared for us in advance, looked something like a long rectangular lecture hall. Above the facing wall of the room, there hung a horizontal banner that read: Wu Yi Cha-Dao Expedition. On the opposing wall a similar banner read: Tea Could Yield Virtue. How then does one make tea for seventy-two people? An undertaking like this had already been planned well in advance. A large, top quality, bamboo tea sink was brought from Taiwan, along with two 1500W electric hot plates and four glass water kettles (two full kettles going into each round alternatively). Three large and one medium size high temperature- resistant glass kettles were used as the tea pitchers. In tasting tea, the teacups we used were the Azure Flower Tea Tasting Set (consisting of a snif ng cup and a sipping cup) custom made by Hang-Jia. As for our teapot, we used the prototype for the Cha-Dao Energy Pot No. 0 164 Chapter 5 Tea Expedition (silver water kettle, volume 1250cc). The design is opulent; the entire body of the kettle is pure silver white. On it is carved very intricately with a traditional dragon and phoenix motif. Once set upon the bamboo perch, it looks very magni cent and noble, which inspired awe in all those present. To the music of urhu fiddle (Racing Horse) the tea banquet began. The atmosphere of the whole room was excited and full of expectations. President Ho (Teacher Ho, President in brief) began the proceedings with a short address— offering a blessing that after the gathering at Wu Yi Mountain everyone will better and better. He also wished that at the end of the eight days, everyone would return to his or her home with smiles and lights. The scene at the Tea Banquet The First Pot True Love Level 5 of Hang-Jia 12 Levels The name of the rst tea, True Love, seemed to suggest a certain meaning. No sel sh desire, no hidden motive and an unconditional love, that can be called True Love. One person steeped the teas, and sixty-nine others tasted and savored. Each round of tea required two and a half combined steeping from the silver kettle. Only then was there enough to go around. While the tea was being brewed, everyone’s gaze was fixed—caught up by the silver dazzling light that shone off the kettle with figures of dragon and phoenix. It was quite astonishing. The silver pot was of large body; its silver was of top-notch. The tea soup it steeped out was both lush and beautiful, tasting much different than when made in such a large pot. The crowd was utterly intoxicated by the fragrance of True Love. After tasting True Love, the tea friends then sang The Song of Tea Tao together: Journey of Cha-Dao to Wu Yi Mountain 165 276 From all places we gather together with joy Cha-Dao brings us in happy harmony In tea is born virtue Love and Forbearance Tea invites the moon To roam over the skies and the Universe It is nectar that nourishes all beings as one Within Cha-Dao, there is True Love Hearing back the Currents of the inner nature Now and the primeval times are the same Relishing the nothingness of the everlasting eternal Sharing in Cha-Dao To create Heaven on Earth together World peace is not a dream The Second Pot Elixer of Immortality High Truth Beyond the Twelve Level Teas The Elixer of Immortality is a rock tea aged more than fty years. The last pot of True Love plus a few songs with energy, very quickly we already expelled turbid Qi from the body and banished the weariness from travel. That this tea could be called an elixer certainly it must contain a great deal of energy and is very fortifying. After silently tasting a few cups, all the guests felt tranquil both the body and the mind, and were suffused with energy. After an impromptu performance on the dongxiao (vertical bamboo ute) by Mr. Zheng, the dancer Ms. Zheng then performed a lengthy piece entitled the Dance of the Spiritual Realms which lasted almost fteen minutes. The night was already growing late, our president then announced the end of the night’s tea meeting. Day Two August 11, 2005 (Thursday) Last night we arrived rather weary after a long day of travel, so this morning we set out at nine a.m. to roam the Tien Yo Peak. If you do not roam the Tien Yo, you have roamed in veinit’s really funny! Afternoon Tea 15:30 As the music of urhu ddle ended, everyone sang together the Song of Cha- 166 Chapter 5 Tea Expedition Dao. The afternoon session began. The First Pot Taiwanese Wen Shan Bao Zhong (㕮ⱘ⋬䨕) Gold Medal Medal 2004 The Tea Tao Energy Pot No.0 was used to steep the tea. The liquor it poured out was both glimmering and clear. From a mere glance, one knew immediately that it was a good tea. Not only was it fresh in fragrance, but its tea Qi was also super strong. Upon drinking it, one’s entire body flushed with heat. One friend noted that the tea Qi was the strongest he had ever encountered among the Bao Zhong teas. President:It was extremely well brewed. It is rare in recent years to nd such a good Bao Zhong, though the soup is a little thin. Those who are accustomed to drinking Puerh will feel that. There is a bit of astringency on the tongue and at the roof of the mouth, but this is not unpleasant.