Zhao Zhou Tea

Finished another term at Buddha Mind tonight. On the last night of the term we have a tea ceremony. These are Chinese tea ceremonies not Japanese tea ceremonies. A Chinese tea ceremony is less formal. Out tea ceremonies at the monastery are often called Zhao Zhou Tea.  Zhao Zhou was a Zen master in China 1,400 years ago. When a visitor would come to his temple, he would ask if they had been there before. If they answered no, he would offer them tea. If they answered yes, he would offer them tea. A monk at the temple asked the master why he would offer new visitors tea, and offer returning visitors tea. The master answered the monk by offering him tea.