The Relation of Tea and Buddhist Contemplative Practice

In this episode, I speak with Jin Choi from the University of Ghent, a specialist on early Buddhism and tea enthusiast, about the connections between tea and contemplative practice. We discuss how the history of tea drinking became intertwined with the spread of Buddhism in China, how tea has been used as a stimulant for meditation, and the various praises of its benefits found in Buddhist texts. We also trace the transfer of tea ceremonies from China to Japan, and their eventual return to China in a different form. A conversation about tea, meditation, and the material culture of Buddhist practice across East Asia. Khyentse Center for Contemplative Traditions ReCentGlobe