On 23rd March 2025, Fo Guang Shan Christchurch hosted the Buddha’s Flower, Kasyapa’s Smile – Tea Gathering for the local community. The gathering created a calm and gentle space for participants to slow down, listen deeply to their hearts and experience the joy and beauty of Chan. Over 50 attendees participated, including public servants, educators, writers, managers and others.
The theme Buddha’s Flower, Kasyapa’s Smile symbolises wordless wisdom and inner realisation, representing the essence and transmission of Chan Buddhism. The programme included meditation and a delicate tea ceremony demonstration by tea practitioners. Each step inspired participants to return to their original place of inner peace and beauty.
The space was filled with the graceful melodies of the Guqin (a 3000 years traditional Chinese musical string instrument), allowing participants to immerse themselves in this moment of tranquillity fully. Eight beautifully arranged tea stations, designed under the guidance of Minister in Charge of Christchurch Temple Venerable Juexi, allowed participants to immediately sense the freedom, naturalness and vitality of Chan as they entered the space.
FGS NZ Abbess Manshin delivered an inspiring Dharma talk, sharing Chan stories that encouraged reflection on the source of Chan which is the heart and Buddha nature itself. Through the practice of Tea Ceremony, one can naturally resonate with the Chan mind.
Drawing from the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, Abbess shared three key principles: No-thought is to maintain a pure mind, without judging the quality of tea, practising gratitude and contentment. No-form is to let go of ego and attachments, reducing afflictions. No-abiding teaches that non-attachment to the six senses and six dusts, transcends worldly dualities of good and bad. By embodying these principles, participants could experience the wisdom of integrating tea and Chan, elevating their understanding of Chan.
Many participants joyfully shared their reflections and heartfelt gratitude as the gathering ended. Theresa Murphy shared that the practice allowed her to release the week’s tiredness and rediscover the joy of simple contentment. Elsie Ellison and her friend Marian Kerr shared that the meditation reminded them of the preciousness of the present moment and how the insightful words from Abbess nourished their hearts. They also felt deeply warmed by the lovingly prepared refreshments. Paul Coleman, who served as a practitioner for the second time, expressed his gratitude for being able to serve the team and hoped that the gathering would help participants carry the practice of mindfulness back into their everyday lives.