To many people, drinking tea is as simple as drinking plain water, a soft drink, or a beer: to quench thirst. To the people of Asia, however, it is a form of unifying the body and mind. According to the first Japanese tea master, Rikyu, it is a vessel of Tao to attain harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.

The Japanese and the Chinese are famous for their tea drinking rituals. Both originated from the concept of Tao, Yin-and- Yang, and Zen (or C'hang in Chinese). A slight diffrence, however, exists between them. Japanese culture emphasizes the ceremony, while the Chinese accentuates the tea.

Chado provides a complete introduction to the Way of Tea (Chado). This site was developed by a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The site provides a complete explanation on the symbolic meanings and settings of the Japanese tea ceremony. It is like attending a virtual tea ceremony class for students of any level.

The Encyclopedia of Japanese Tea Ceremony can provide a deeper and more advanced understanding of the Japanese tea ceremony. In addition to being a very good source, this site consists of several illuminating chapters: Tea and Mind, Tea Room, Fabrics, Poems, and Yin-and-Yang Elements.

There is a special message of Tea for All Nations , which was written by Brother Joseph Keenan, Ph.D, FSC:. He invites people from all nations to enjoy this celebration of art, professing that the Tea ceremony is universal. Brother Keenan begins his short message with an illustration of the first Jesuits who arrived in Japan in the 16th century. It did not take long for the Jesuits to discover and develop an admiration for tea practices, and to incorporate them into their everyday life in Japan.

Ready to plunge into The Way of Tea? Visit Tea Ceremony , and you will find everything required to conduct the Japanese tea ceremony. If you want to jump directly to the "Tools" page, go to Tools of The Way of Tea . You can also purchase a tea package for your own enjoyment here.

The tea ceremony according to the Chinese is discussed at the Chinese Tea Ceremony by Jan Lee, a modern New Yorker, who serves tea to his guests as a form of hospitality. Participants of the Chinese Tea Ceremony are most concerned with what the tea tastes like, smells like, and how one tea tastes compared to the prior sampling, which can happen during successive rounds of drinking.

Zen@SunSITE contains information in a Q and A format. A brief explanation on the teachings of Tao and Zen , which was written by Lynn Seiser, Ph.D. MFCC. Dr. Seiser is a therapist, consultant, speaker and writer who specializes in mental and emotional health.

The Chinese cosmology, including Feng Shui and the concept of Yin and Yang can be located at Mastering Feng Shui. The site is comprehensive and immediately applicable. One can find compatibility with others based on these concepts. Enjoy your day!