Sitting in a circle, people make tea with tea sets and tea leaves which prepared by themselves

Presenting the tea, and treat others as equals

People sip and taste tea, experiencing the identical implication of Zen and tea

FJNET, August 23, 2006

At the Meditation Yard, under the guidance of Ven. Mingzang of Chongqing Huayan Monastery, campers of "Spirit Tour Summer Camp" performed Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony.

Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony is a style of Tea Ceremony. Wu-Wo encourages participants to forget about knowledge, wealth, and appearance to establish a group of equality without prejudice. This concept of "Wu-Wo" is shown in the "Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony".

"Wu" and "Wo" are actually Chinese words with philosophical meaning. The word "Wu" means a void or absolute emptiness as far as the mind or senses can determine; it is therefore like an infinite space. The word "Wo" means mine, self or being. When joined, these words almost seem like a contradiction in terms: the word, "Wo", seems like being and the word, "Wu", seems like not being. The typical interpretation of "Wu-Wo", however, means to empty the mind like an endless void anything to sense; it is just "being", with no physical or mental attachments.

Campers said, this ceremony eliminated all discrimination and conflicts, instead, only devotion without expectation of reward. Smelling the flat aroma of tea, they felt the genial interrelationship after breaking down barriers. They sincerely talked about their reflection about life, and the true meaning of "anatta", means no-self, and it is one of the most important philosophical concepts in Buddhism.

Seven Essence of the Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony

1. No discrimination of rank

2. No expectation of reward

3. No judgment of likes or dislikes

4. No discrimination sect and region

5. Making tea as perfect as possible

6. Observing the regulations

7. Cultivating the perfect cooperation

[Translator: Wang Xinyu]