The practice of tea and tea drinking has been in use in Korea since ancient times, likely brought by Buddhist monks who returned from China after study- ing the drinking of tea, together with the practice of Zen (Soen) meditation in a form still used today, called Panyaro. |
Korea’s way of tea (what would later be known as Panyaro), was widely practiced until the Choson dynasty (1392-1910), when the new rulers replaced the established Buddhist ideals with a radical form of Confucianism. In spite of years of war and strife with their beliefs and religion repressed, three men worked to restore the Buddhist ideals and ways in the late 18th century.The first man, Tsan Chong Yak-yong (1762-1836), was driven into exile because of fierce political conflicts and spent years living in the re- mote southwest of Korea. It was there he came into |
contact with the Venerable Hyejang (1772-1811), who introduced him to the Way of Tea.Hyejang eventually became known as “Dasan” (meaning tea mountain,” the name of the hill where he lived), where he shared his knowledge of tea with other young scholars who came to him while in exile. One of these young scholars was the Venerable Cho-ui who came to study with him for several months in 1809. In the following years Cho-ui befriended other great Confucian Dongchasong,” (Song of the Tea of the East). He was eventu- Japanese took over Korea in 1910 and The name Panyaro comes from two Chinese green tea is produced by a precise and demanding method known as jeungcha in What he meant, and the premise of Panyaro, is that everything in the surroundings, including As you can derive from these words, the Panyaro Korean Way of Tea is not a formalized type of tea ceremony, but rather a “Life of Tea,” in which one practices the most essential values of life
Each year Chae Won-Hwa personally gathers and carefully produces |
The teachings of the Panyaro Institute for the Way of Tea go beyond the purification and strengthening of mind and body through the practice of the Way of Tea in one’s daily life, to a much broader cosmic awareness of the mutual interconnectedness of all persons, and gaining a true freedom of will, in order to build a better world for everyone.What a wonderful goal to pursue, giving us pause, and something to think about as we sit down to enjoy a cup of tea. What small thing can we do each day to make the world around us a better, brighter place for all? Enjoy. |