This is a poem written by a monk in the Tang Dynasty, where tea-drinking had evolved into an art form and had become popular. In this poem, however, I emphasize on the tea leaves itself, as they are also an important part of the drinking process in the Tang Dynasty as well. To start, it was time for Monk Wei and his companion to pick leaves at the Wuliang mountain behind their temple, where he accounts his experience at the mountain. This experience showed the long-term relationship tea has with Buddha, and further emphasized the “ten virtues” of tea, such as cultivating courtesy and benevolence and its ability to ward off illnesses; two of which is evident in this poem.

 

I rise to the sound of a delightful bird’s long calls

Eager, I look forward to the tea leaves picked

And with a young one, we reach near the top of the Wuliang mountain behind the temple [1]

Where mid-clouds meet the earth

And where tea trees grow

 

As I pluck the leaves from the trees I look out over the Black-crested gibbons fighting for wild fruit

Across, I notice new sprouts of tea bloom in the spring with fresh leaves unfolded

Such taste, I imagine, can only be enjoyed in tranquility

By the Buddha, then by guests deserving of it [2]

 

Delighted at this sight, I wished to dwell longer as life would allow it

And at ease, I began to walk, my mind let go

 

Tracing the flowing water, I sit and meditate in silence with the picked leaves at my side

Once dusk emerged, unwilling yet excited we become, we leave [3]

Chancing upon leaves grown on slightly infertile lands on the lower mountain

 

At this, the young one knit his two brows into a cross

And I picked a bitter tea leaf and reminded him

“While a leaf grown where cloudy skies meet the ground

Brews tea fitting for the Buddha

Remember that even though a leaf grown further below

Might say farewell to the taste of other varieties of sweet tea

The bitterness within brews the best medicine and treats illnesses.”

 

Ashamed, he nods in silence [4]

And back to our meditation abode we pray and prepare for guests

 

• Monk Wei, Tang Dynasty.

Written By: Koh Hui Xin

 

[1] The age of the companion is purposefully indicated to depict the immaturity of the companion later on as he judges the leaves grown on the infertile lands on the mountain.

[2] Notice how Monk Wei emphasizes on brewing tea for the Buddha first, indicating that he would leave the first-class tea for the Buddha and as such, showing his reverence.

[3] The monks were unwilling yet excited to leave at the thought of brewing fresh tea leaves for the Buddha and for their guests. It is also important to note that in this period, tea-drinking was also a popular leisure activity in which one could socialise with others, even monks.

[4] Here, it emphasizes one of the “ten virtues” of tea, where Monk Wei lectures the young monk on acceptance and respect for all kinds of tea, even low-quality tea leaves and thus, implies that the young one should treat all human beings with the same kind of respect as well, allowing him to cultivate courtesy and benevolence through tea.

 

Other References:

Yingqiu, PU. 2015. “An Analysis of the Social Functions of the Tea – Drinking Custom in Southwest.” Canadian Social Science 211-217.