And strangely enough it was often successful.
A subtle philosophy lay behind it all. Teaism was Taoism
in disguise.
III. Taoism and Zennism
The connection of Zennism with tea is proverbial. We
have already remarked that the tea-ceremony was a
development of the Zen ritual. The name of Laotse, the
founder of Taoism, is also intimately associated with the
history of tea. It is written in the Chinese school manual
concerning the origin of habits and customs that the
ceremony of offering tea to a guest began with Kwanyin,
a well-known disciple of Laotse, who first at the gate of
the Han Pass presented to the "Old Philosopher" a cup
of the golden elixir. We shall not stop to discuss the
authenticity of such tales, which are valuable, however,
as confirming the early use of the beverage by the Taoists.
Our interest in Taoism and Zennism here lies mainly in
those ideas regarding life and art which are so embodied
in what we call Teaism.
It is to be regretted that as yet there appears to be no
adequate presentation of the Taoists and Zen doctrines
in any foreign language, though we have had several
laudable attempts.
Translation is always a treason, and as a Ming author
observes, can at its best be only the reverse side of a
brocade,--all the threads are there, but not the subtlety of
colour or design.
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