Literati Tea Ceremony: The Perfect Combination of Art and Tao
The Rise of Literati Tea Ceremony in the Tang Dynasty
In the prosperous Tang Dynasty, materialism prevailed, with people pursuing luxury and indulging in strife. Righteous literati and officials disapproved of this extravagance; they often gathered to taste tea, discuss tea art and talk about history.
A simple teapot was the center of their gatherings, and a plain teapot symbolized their pursuit of simplicity, distinguishing them from the extravagant society around them.
Lu Yu: The Founder of Tea Ceremony and His Legacy
Lu Yu, the founder of tea ceremony in the Tang Dynasty, wrote *The Classic of Tea*, summarizing and standardizing tea planting, picking, teaware making, water selection and brewing gestures.
He endowed tea ceremony with cultural connotations—frugality and integrity—consistent with the spirit of literati tea ceremony. A well-crafted teapot was central to his teachings, and a standardized teapot ensured the proper brewing of tea, embodying his pursuit of tea art and virtue.
The Integration of Art and Tao in Literati Tea Ceremony
Based on Lu Yu’s tea ceremony, literati tea ceremony integrated qin, qi, shu and hua (zither, go, calligraphy and painting), focusing on cultural atmosphere, humanistic spirit and a life of frugality, tranquility and indifference. When making, brewing and tasting tea, literati enjoyed the harmony between humans and nature in a quiet environment.
A simple teapot reflected their opposition to luxury, and a delicate teapot carried their pursuit of spiritual sublimation, achieving the perfect combination of “art” (tea skills) and “Tao” (spirit).
Literati’s Pursuit: Tea Ceremony as a Spiritual Practice
Literati regarded tea ceremony as an elegant way to cultivate their mind, comprehend life and express emotions, enjoying both the tranquility of drinking alone and the pleasure of gathering with friends.
A personalized teapot accompanied their solitary sips, and a shared teapot brought them together in friendship, making tea ceremony not just a skill, but a way to pursue inner peace and sincere connection.
Only those with cultural accomplishment and good moral character can truly integrate into the spirit of tea ceremony.