| Zen Buddhism is an offshoot of Chinese Buddhism, | | | | hung on the tearoom walls. These scrolls are a focal |
| which developed in the 7th century AD. Zen is a | | | | point of the Japanese tea ceremony and often |
| philosophic school, which teaches one how to | | | | associated with Buddhism or written by Zen Buddhist |
| transcend human suffering through meditation. Its | | | | monks. Buddhist priests may depict certain key |
| primary principles are non-violence and non-attachment. | | | | features or foundations of the Buddhist belief system |
| It is believed that the development of the Japanese | | | | on their scrolls such as harmony, tranquility, respect and |
| tea ceremony called the Way of Tea was extensively | | | | purity. These founding principles are also the four key |
| influenced and perhaps even introduced by Zen | | | | elements of the Way of the Tea. Even the entire |
| Buddhism. The Way of Tea uses powdered green | | | | tearoom is an ultimate symbol of Buddhism, expressing |
| tea called matcha in an elaborate presentation and | | | | the transitory nature of everything. Most items in a |
| preparation, which is a center of the Japanese culture. | | | | tearoom will be asymmetrical, which is also a key |
| There are two types of ceremonies. Chakai is a | | | | feature of Buddhism and symbolizes the "ever |
| simple and light presentation with thin tea, and Chaji is | | | | becoming" nature of all things. |
| much more formal with more food and the offering of | | | | Tea ceremonies focus on the art of presentation and |
| thick tea. | | | | the beauty that can be conveyed. During the ritual, all |
| A Buddhist monk first introduced tea to Japan during | | | | movements are choreographed, and each display is |
| the 9th century, using unground Japanese green tea. | | | | specifically arranged. As Zen purports the oneness of |
| Also in the 9th century, a writer Lu Yu who was | | | | the universe and all that inhabit it, "the universe can be |
| heavily influenced by Zen Buddhism wrote the first | | | | experienced in a bowl of tea". The simple act of |
| book on tea, summarizing its preparation and cultivation. | | | | drinking tea brings one to the present moment and |
| Lu Yu's writings would later profess a great influence | | | | provides the ability to be fully present, experiencing the |
| of the Japanese tea ceremony. The actual founder of | | | | current moment. The corresponding Zen principle |
| the Way of Tea did so in the 15th century. He was | | | | states that if one is fully here in the present moment, |
| student of Zen philosophy. | | | | attachments can be relapsed and human suffering can |
| During tea ceremonies, special scrolls or writings are | | | | be transcended. |