Truc Lam Zen Tea - Awakening wholesome energy

As many people know, tea and the art of tea meditation are an art form originating from Buddhism. Within tea meditation lies Zen intention, using Buddhist allusions to illuminate Buddhist philosophies and seek a return to Buddha-nature.  

Truc Lam Tea Meditation at the Zen Hall -  Ngoa Van

With the noble meaning of tea meditation, Ngoa Van Zen Village creates a rustic tea meditation culture, bearing the identity of the Truc Lam Zen Sect. The special feature of Truc Lam Tea Meditation is the Zen song titled “Cuu thuc Thien tra” (The Nine Ways of Zen Tea), composed by Lay Buddhist Thanh Chan, a Zen song that serves as a guide to the beauty and excellence of the Truc Lam tea meditation art. Also through this work, the Tea Masters at Ngoa Van have guided tea guests in a very elegant meditation method that still maintains the solemnity of tea enjoyers, within the space of the Zen Hall. 

At the Tea Meditation session, first, the tea master will share the meaning of meditation and a few details about the space of the Zen Hall at Ngoa Van - where the lacquer artwork "Dai tri tu tai" (Great Wisdom and Freedom) of the Buddhist Emperor is enshrined. The tea master will invite the tea guests to press their palms together and pay respects to the Buddhist Emperor to receive peace from the sacred land.

Visitors paying respects before the Buddhist Emperor's "Great Wisdom and Freedom" artwork

Next, the tea guests will choose a posture to begin meditating: Sitting with a straight back, keeping the head and neck aligned with the spine; the tips of the index fingers touching the thumbs. When ready in the meditation posture, the Zen song plays to invite the tea guests to start regulating their breathing. And to feel the stillness of their entire body, mind, and spirit. After a few minutes, the tea guests will receive a cup of tea and press their palms together to show gratitude to the one serving the tea, as well as gratitude to the one who made the tea. And upon starting to listen to the tea-enjoying guidance of the Zen song, the tea guests and tea masters will leisurely enjoy the "cuu thuc tra" (nine ways of tea).

Visitors receiving tea

Each way of tea will bring everyone a meaning, a prayer for the peace and bliss of body and mind & directing the mind towards the light of the Buddha's teachings.

When drinking tea, the heart needs to be still, the spirit relaxed, slowly feeling the flavor of the tea to merge one's heart into the immense stillness and peace of the universe.

The space of the Zen Hall at Ngoa Van

Concluding the nine ways of tea, the tea master will share with the tea guests about the sacred place of Ngoa Van & the fine beauties in the ideology of “Buddha in the heart” (Phật tại tâm) and "Harmonizing with the light, mingling with the dust" (Hòa quang đồng trần) of Truc Lam Buddhism. And perhaps, through those rustic sharings, tea guests will find Truc Lam Buddhism very close & easy to practice in daily life. Because “Buddha in the heart” simply means that if we always live and do good deeds, we will see the Buddha-nature right within us, and find life more blissful & happier. 

Visitors finding stillness in the Zen Hall, Ngoa Van

Although knowing that tea meditation is an easily practiced meditation method with nature and tranquil spaces, it seems the feelings of tea guests at Ngoa Van will be very different - in this place, the energy of the Buddhist Emperor's land seems to have created a feeling of bliss, a body and mind more peaceful than ever.