Hand Carving on the teacups

The Symphony of Minnan Buddhist Culture and Dehua White Porcelain: A Millennia-Old Ode

I. Where the Coral Trees Bloom, Ancient Temples Echo with Chants In the dawn light of the Great Buddha Hall of Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, twenty-four wooden flying apsaras soar through the air, holding traditional Nan musical instruments, their garments flowing with the breeze of the maritime Silk Road from the Song and Yuan dynasties. This temple, founded in the second year of the Tang Dynasty's Chuigong era (686 CE), holds within its beams and pillars the secrets of a millennium of Buddhist heritage in southern Fujian. From the arrival of Buddhism with the migration of scholars during the Western Jin Dynasty's Tai Kang era (280-289 CE) to Quanzhou's rise as the "Greatest Oriental Port" during the Song and Yuan periods, diverse religious civilizations converged and blended here. Within Kaiyuan Temple, Hindu stone pillars dance alongside Buddhist apsaras, while the Manichaean Buddha of Light at Cao'an Temple stands in harmony with the Qingshui Patriarch, sk...

Classic Chinese Tea Poems and Culture

Chinese tea culture is profound and ancient, forming an essential part of traditional Chinese culture. From the discovery and spread of tea, the development of tea art, to the flourishing of tea poetry, each step highlights the deep roots of tea culture. In this article, we will explore the unique charm of Chinese tea culture through ten classic tea poems. 1. 《答族侄僧中孚赠玉泉仙人掌茶》 Tang dynasty's Lu Yu, known as the "Tea Saint," laid the foundation of tea culture with his "The Classic of Tea". His poem, "Reply to Nephew Monk Zhongfu's Gift of Yuquan Immortal Palm Tea," is a masterpiece of tea poetry: 寒夜客来茶当酒，竹炉汤沸火初红。寻常一样窗前月，才有梅花便不同。 "On a cold night, a guest arrives, and tea replaces wine. The bamboo stove boils, and the fire is just beginning. The same moon outside the window, yet with plum blossoms, it is different." Lu Yu uses tea instead of wine, expressing how integral tea was to his life. 2. 《山泉煎茶有怀》 Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi's ...

The Role and Importance of Tea Scoops (茶则)

Tea culture has deep roots in East Asia, particularly in China and Japan, where tea is not merely a beverage but a vital part of cultural and social rituals. One of the key tools in the traditional tea ceremony is the tea scoop, or 茶则 (chá zé). This article explores the purpose of tea scoops, why they are essential, and the common materials used in their creation. Purpose of Tea Scoops Tea scoops serve a fundamental role in the tea-making process. They are used to measure and transfer loose tea leaves from a container into a teapot or gaiwan (a lidded bowl used for brewing tea). Accurate measurement of tea leaves is crucial to achieving the desired strength and flavor of the tea. By using a tea scoop, the tea master ensures consistency and precision, which are hallmarks of a well-prepared tea. In the Japanese tea ceremony, the tea scoop, known as 茶杓 (chashaku), is particularly significant. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the chashaku is not only a practical tool but a...

Tea Moments With Kevin

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