The Actuality on Tea Tao as a way of cultivation: as to its philosophical basis

Abstract

This study is about presenting a practical way to cultivate mind based on the tea as a spiritual concept of the Tea Tao (茶道) and a ceremonial concept of the Confucian thought. Specifically, this study analyzed Tea Tao as a way of cultivation (修養) in three different cultural aspects, which are respect, sincerity, and courtesy. The characteristics of Confucianism are that the human nature is the principle of the sky and the duty of human being, we have to preserve the mind and train the nature. To do so, we need to watch ourselves, which is referred to as the inner reflection. Also, we need to watch out our actions based on respect, sincerity, and courtesy. In the tea drinking culture of the mind cultivation theory, making tea with energy from heaven with all your heart. By doing so, tea and oneself become one, not two. reaching the state of introspection while drinking alone with nature as a friend. According to the yin-da culture of cultivation theory, greedy comes from the abundance of material leading to worries, defilements, wrongdoings, and extravagant thoughts. The practice of tea ceremony is to rectify the body and mind, and to keep the mind from being greedy. Also, 'Ki control (气統制) and Temperance (心節制)' is to change the temperament and make it good. Tea with Ki, which is the mechanism for cultivation, is highly effective in cultivating. In addition, renunciation of greed and the good attitude of the heart (制心) is required to cultivate the mind even thought the mind is originally bright, Finally, by letting go of selfish mind and obsession and meditating in a sitting position to find the nature, the mind will settle down and cultivation will lead to enlightenment through tea. It will become the best state of tea life, and it will reach the state of Confucianism that preserves the principles of heaven and removes greed.