On 7th December 2024, the FGS Buddhist Temple Auckland hosted a Mindfulness Tea Meditation session at the Venerable Master Hsing Yun One-Stroke Calligraphy Exhibition Hall with 50 artists participating. Abbess Manshin of FGS NZ guided the participants in savouring tea with a meditative and inspiring heart-sharing and leading a feast for the mind and spirit.
The event began with a mindfulness meditation session led by Venerable Miaoguang. Participants found calm and relaxation as they settled into a focused state of mind. The Tea Meditation session unfolded gracefully with steps including flower offerings to the Buddha, appreciating the aroma and appearance of tea, silent tasting, savouring the spring’s sweetness and admiring the tea leaves. These steps illustrated how Chan is present in everyday life, allowing attendees to purify their body, speech and mind, and return to a state of inner peace and serenity.
Abbess Manshin shared insights with the participants: “Tea is one of the Ten Offerings in Buddhism. Tea and Chan help us realise that Chan is present in life and every mindful moment. Through a single cup of tea, we perceive our sensory responses and appreciate the abundance of conditions that come together, cultivating gratitude and a soft heart.” Abbess encouraged attendees to refine their focus, stillness, and mindfulness through tea meditation, awakening their potential and enriching their lives with quality and wisdom.
Artist Jenny Henry shared her joy at finding a tranquil space amidst the city’s hustle, where she could focus on drinking tea and feel her mind and body cleansed by the Abbess’s wise teachings. Artist Diego Silva, attending a Tea Meditation for the first time, expressed his enjoyment of the serene atmosphere. Hannah Vaughan expressed gratitude for the event, describing it as a profoundly moving cultural experience that recharged her mind and body. Many attendees were inspired by the meditative elegance of the tea practitioners and expressed interest in learning a spirit of mindfulness.
As Founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun once said, “Chan is not found in tea but in the hearts of those who practice Chan. When they drink tea, they perceive the vastness of the universe and the essence of universal compassion.” The FGS Buddhist Temple Auckland Tea Meditation enriched the lives of participants, offering a transformative experience and a glimpse into the art of Tea and Chan—a journey to a tranquil and unencumbered state of being.