Honoring the Past

"Tea began as Medicine

and grew into a beverage"

Master Katkuzo Okaku

It has been many weeks since I have gotten out and yesterday we took the Metro to Chinatown here in Paris - one of my favorite places to go shopping. I was on a quest to buy some fine teas, Gaiwan Cup and my early Christmas present, a Gong-fu tea tray.

I purchased a white Gaiwan cup since I was wanting a simple and tranquil look. A Gaiwan Tea Cup reflects beautiful symbolism that is connected to Taoist and Buddhist influence. The Taoists strive for a harmony between heaven and earth, man and woman. The Gaiwan Cup Set is made up of three pieces: The plate which is the symbol of Earth. The cup that is the symbol of humanity and the lid which is the symbol of Heaven.

The Buddhists developed Gong-fu tea as a spiritual discipline in the monasteries. The Gaiwan Cup's tea lid was the symbol of the dharma wheel. Some tea masters would turn the lid three times as part of the tea ceremony, symbolic of turning the dharma wheel. Even the emptiness of the cup was a teaching. The space within the empty cup was symbolic of how a student should prepare to receive the teacher: being open and empty. So the tea (symbol of consciousness) could be poured into the empty cup (student). Tea ceremonies have four principles: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.

One of my favorite parts of this little journey was the teahouse called "L'empire De The" here in Paris. I enjoyed smelling the three different grades of Dragon Well. The least expensive cost about 5.50 euros for a small bag. Then next grade up cost 9 euros for the same size of a bag. And the Highest Grade of tea cost 35 euros for the same amount. But once I smelled each grade of tea I then understood what you were paying for. I took the middle way and went for the 9 euro tea for my day's purchase.

The origin of Dragon Well tea began in the village Hangzhou City in Zhejiang Province about 1000 years ago.

The very best Dragon Well, (35 euro per bag) is picked in April and is called Chi Chiang which means flag and spear.

Dragon Well got its name from an event that took place in the Ming Dynasty. The temple of Long Hong Shan had needed of a new well. One needs excellent water for making tea. So a crew of workmen started digging the well and they pulled out a large rock that was in the shape of a dragon's head. So the tea was named for the Spirit of the Dragon who was found in the well.

Today I poured dragon well tea, therefore continuing my learning working the Gaiwan cup. I found the larger Gaiwan cup took a bit of adjusting too. But the secret is making sure you have all three fingers as a solid foundation for the saucer of the cup to firmly balance on as you make movements in mid-air. I also worked with the new tea tray (Cha-pan). This tray is made of bamboo and catches the water in a box built below the tray as you wash your cups. They have a beautiful name for cup washing: Washing flowing clouds, wiping moon clear) When one sits down for tea, your mind needs to arrive in the moment and clear the clouds of the mind of all worries, empty oneself of all thoughts and be open to receive.

And the Dragon Well tea was excellent!

Note: Honoring my Ancestors

My Grandfather and Grandmother lived in China for several years in the early 1920s. My Grandfather, Harry Wayne Abbott ( Hai Ah-bota his name in Cantonese) was a Colonel Commander in the Republic of China Army under Sun-Yat-Sen. My Grandfather was the Commander of the Avation Bureau who helped construct China's first airplane. The airplane was named after Sun-Yat-Sen's wife Sun Soong Chingling Rosemond. They just called the plane Rosemond.

Both my Uncles were born in China: Dan San Abbott and my late Uncle Pat, who spoke and wrote fluent Cantonese. I never knew my grandfather: he died before I was born. But my Uncle Pat and his Chinese wife Nell opened the doors of Asian Art, food, and the joys of San Francisco's China Town to me from a very early age. I sometimes imagine when I drink tea that most likely my grandparents enjoyed the same pleasure when they were making history in the Orient.