Rules of Purity for Chan monastic and Tea Etiquette: Fifth Annual Forum for Zen Tea Culture opening ceremony

Fifth Annual Zen Tea Culture Forum opening ceremony

Vice Chair of China Research center for International Tea Culture and Abbot of Lingyin Temple, Ven. Guangquan.

China International Research Center for Tea Culture Vice Chair Sheng Caitu

Abbot Ven. Changzhang of Beijing's Lingguang Temple

Forum discussion

Group photo of Fifth Annual Forum's representatives

'In 1326, Yuan Dynasty Chan Master Qingzhuo Zhengcheng had been invited to Kamakura by Hojo Takatoki and later compiled The Dak Rules of Purity. He recognized that the rules of purity regulated the Chan monk's daily life whether walk, talk, sit, or rest; etiquette guidelines shall also be recognized to have tea, serve tea, conduct tea ceremonies..."

The message from Japanese scholars opening the fifth annual Forum for Chan Tea Culture on Sept 24th, organized by China Chan Tea Cultural Association and Hangzhou Buddhist Association along with Hangzhou Lingyin Temple, China Research Institute for International Tea Culture, and Zhejiang A&F University Tea Culture Department. The theme for this year's forum, 'Chan Monastic rules's of purity and tea etiquette' hoped to establish proper Buddhist tea culture for awareness of the essence of tea, a personal experience for enriched and fulfilling Life.

The forum featured Ven. Master Changzhang (Abbot of Beijing's Lingguang Temple, China Research Institute for International Tea Culture Vice Chair, Secretary of China Buddhist Association, and Director of China Chan Tea Association), Ven. Master Guangquan (Hangzhou Buddhist Association Chair, Abbot of Lingyin Temple, China Research Institute for International Tea Culture Vice Chair), Professor Shuna Nakamura and Ishii Megumi of Japan's Bunkyo University, Professor Guan Jianping of Zhejiang A&F University, and Zhu Zizheng of Nanjing Agricultural University, combining for about sixty experts and scholars of the event.

Ven. Guanquan opened the ceremony with a warm welcome and address, "...Buddhist tea culture has a rich I and extensive history. With the support of China Buddhist Association and China Research Institute for International Tea Culture, and the honor of Ven. Changzhang taking time out of his schedule to help elevate the scale and significance of this event, with the hopes of deeper academic research as the foundation, to better understand the fabric of Chan tea culture through interaction between our special guests, scholars, and experts..."

The featured guests dazzled the crowd from the various perspectives of their respective expertise in Chan tea culture. Professor Ishii Megumi of Japan's Bunkyo University presented the four 'heads' of exquisite cuisine and tea snack, Professor Guan Jianping of Zhejiang A&F University discussed the value of tea etiquette in the life of a Buddhist, and Zhu Zizheng of Nanjing Agricultural University offered the research studies of Jiangsu Chan Tea Cultural Artifacts and Resources.