What is Chanoyu?

The Japanese tea ceremony is a centuries-old ritual through which people enjoy each other’s company in seclusion from the everyday world. The practice of Chanoyu, with its emphasis on simplicity and naturalness, creates an inner tranquility where all can find “peace in a bowl of tea.”

Tea Ceremony practitioners develop an attitude of alert calmness similar to that of Zen meditation. The ritualization of this simple act fosters inner awareness and harmony with the universe. The qualities of sincerity, compassion, and sensitivity naturally develop through Chanoyu training. Once practiced by samurai warriors as a refuge from the conflict of daily life, the tea ceremony is considered the highest expression of the Japanese aesthetic.

The very commonplace quality of serving of tea to a guest serves as a reminder that every act we perform should be done with the grace and dignity of the entire universe. Everything - the alcove where hangs the scroll, the flower arrangement, the sound of boiling water, and the beauty of the tea utensils themselves - all suggest an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, blending with the seasons of the year. The ceremony inspires the attitude of alert calm which is characteristic of Zen meditation. The subtle interplay of contrasts - formal behavior and individual personality, hard cups and yielding water, bitter tea and sweet cakes - all recall the way in which many diverse, apparently conflicting elements join together in harmony in the universe.

This course is offered by appointment only;
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