Experts on Drinking -- Eastern Atmosphere Series

Author: Tang Dabin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Tea and wine are ancient friends, but their temperaments are utterly opposite. One is quiet, generous, like a scholarly man of deep emotions, while the other is boisterous, fierce, like a man of noble spirit. Tea is internal energy, lacking a showy exterior or an exuberant posture. A shallow pour releases a fragrant aroma, filling the air with a refreshing scent, as friendship slowly flows and conversation unfolds gently. Tea embodies the shy and gentle warmth of inner emotions. Wine, when consumed, can produce intense stimulation. Tea has a soothing, penetrating effect, seeping into every pore and gradually generating a comforting sensation. Some people prefer wine, others tea, and some enjoy both, not by deliberate choice or careful arrangement, but often naturally and instinctively. The reason for developing a habit is usually innate. Wine becomes more mellow with age, while tea is fresher and more fragrant. Wine values age, while tea values freshness. Sometimes, a low-end fresh tea is better than a high-end aged tea from the previous year. A single cup of tea, brewed multiple times, reveals entirely different flavors: first light, then fragrant, followed by sweet and bitter, and finally, bland. The essence of tea is "harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility." "Harmony" refers to peace and serenity; "respect" means reverence and mutual respect; "purity" signifies cleanliness and freshness; and "tranquility" denotes seclusion and quietude. People living in modern society are often busy, rarely possessing the leisurely disposition of the ancients. However, if everyone could maintain a peaceful and humble mindset, as one does when drinking tea, and treat others with such a spirit, chaos would be far removed from life. The Tang Dynasty poet Yuan Zhen wrote a famous seven-character poem titled "Tea" (also known as the "One-Seven Style"):
Tea. Fragrant leaves, tender buds.
Admired by poets, loved by monks.
Grinding white jade, weaving red silk.
In the pot, the golden flowers bloom.
At night, invited to drink with the moon;
In the morning, commanded to face the dawn.
Washing away the fatigue of ages,
Who could boast of intoxication before?
This is the mystery of tea and Zen.
Wine is a versatile spirit—it burns like fire, yet freezes like ice; it lingers like a dream, yet is as cruel as a demon; it is soft like silk, yet sharp as a blade. It is everywhere, all-powerful. It is admirable and mournful, deserving of praise and slaughter. It can inspire people to transcend worldly suffering, unleash their talents, and live unrestrainedly. It can also lead them to plunge recklessly into the depths of despair, strip away their masks, reveal their true selves, and speak their truths. Renowned scholars have offered many profound insights on tea appreciation and wine drinking, which we have compiled into this collection, allowing you to experience the mysteries of tea and the essence of wine.