SO TO ZEN - Shasta Abbey

Zen and Oriental Culture 39Ming Dynasty Temple architecture with Japanese architecturalideals.Eisai Zenji introduced tea into Japan from China and usedit chiefly as a medicine. Gradually, however, with the passingof time it came to be enjoyed more and more for its refinedtaste. The tea ceremony was founded by Murata Shuko (died1502). It was systematized by Sen-no-Riky‰ (1518Ð1591). Thetea ceremony was also called Zen-cha, ÒZen-tea,Ó or wabi-cha,Òwabi (i.e., elegant simplicity) tea.Ó The tea room (J. chashitsu)is patterned after the ten foot square room of Yuima (Skt.Vimalak−rti) described in the Yuima Ky‡ (Skt. Vimalak−rtiNirde±a S‰tra). The meditative spirit seen in the utensilsemployed in the ceremony is characterized by profunditycombined with simplicity. The host and the guest blend with theuniverse while they are in the tea room and experience the blissthat comes from knowing the unity between oneself and others.The etiquette of the tea ceremony borrowed heavily from theÒRules for the Serving of TeaÓ (J. Gy‡cha Shiki) of the ZenChÕing-kuei. The essential mental attitude for the performanceof the tea ceremony is summed up in four words: harmony,respect, purity and tranquility (J. wakeiseijaku), which alsoappear in the Zen Manual, ÒRegulations of the Tea roomÓ(J. Chab‡ Shingi).The paintings found in the tea room are simple, and thecharacteristic blank space is made to assume meaning. Zen