无我茶会 Sans Self Tea Gathering

《无我茶会》是当代茶道研究工作方向的新一章，此书直接跳过一些仍然产生困扰的课题如：何谓茶道何谓茶艺？泡茶者的身份应命名为事茶或司茶？已经掌握一定茶道学识、拥有实践及专门从事茶道活动的工作者该被称为茶人好呢还是被称为大师好呢……。此书作者蔡荣章先生率直的通过拥有完整系统的一个茶会作品，引领读者一步一步走入其茶会作品的茶道艺术内涵，将泡茶者（亦即此书作者）因茶会作品的创作升华成为茶道艺术家。 茶道艺术家、茶会作品二词之用，是蔡荣章先生的先见与期许，它让大众更加清晰知道，茶、茶道、茶道艺术的本质在哪里，让茶道艺术家理解自己应具备怎样的素养及该努力的方向，以及如何创作茶会作品。 《无我茶会》是以蔡荣章先生最初创办无我茶会的操作手册及《无我茶会180条》一书为蓝本，再加入蔡荣章先生经过二十五年实践无我茶会实实在在的功力，以乾净清晰笔触书写无我茶会核心价值的最新力作。 "Sans Self Tea Gathering" is, literally, a new chapter in the research of the Way of Tea. It bypasses perplexing questions such as ‘What is the Way of Tea? And what is Tea Art?’, ‘Should tea brewing personnel be described as a server or a master of tea?’, or should they be referred to as ‘tea experts’ or ‘tea gurus’ if they are professionals with a rich knowledge of the Way of Tea that they, use in various activities?’ Instead, the author cuts through these conundrums and presents a complete and comprehensive system -- his very own work of tea gathering -- that leads readers right into the inner substance. This artistic manifestation in the form of tea gathering raises the status of a tea brewing personnel (in this case, the author himself) to that of an artist of the Way of Tea. An artist of the Way of Tea, or tea artist, is a term impregnated with the author’s insight and aspiration. It seeks to clarify what is the essence of tea, the Way of Tea and the art of it; and in turn, to better equip tea artists with the qualities and effortsrequired of them.

序∕无我茶会的诞生 ◎蔡荣章　 21 序∕ 论蔡荣章的《无我茶会》 ◎许玉莲　 25 第一章 无我茶会的基本形式与做法 001. 无我茶会的基本形式　 34 002. 无我茶会特殊做法及七大精神　 39 003. 无我茶会为何非要单边奉茶不可　 49 第二章 场地问题 004. 室内以什么场地为宜　 54 005. 室外以什么场地为宜　 55 006. 一定要在幽静与风景优美的地方举办吗　 57 007. 下雨怎么办　 58 008. 举办夜晚无我茶会时，场地需要多亮的公共　 58 009. 地形特殊，无法达成连续性队形，怎么办　 60 010. 在舞台从事示范性表演时的座位排法　 61 011. 作为纪念性无我茶会时，场地如何应变　 61 012. 席地而坐时，一个人的空间需要多少，两人相隔的距离 该多少，座位前面应保留多少活动空间　 62 013. 这个场地能容纳多少人　 65 014. 茶会在野外举行，卫生问题如何克服　 67 第三章 场地的准备 015. 场地规划图　 70 016. 座位的标示　 73 017. 号码牌的排列方向　 74 018. “ 向心坐”与“背心坐”　 75 019. 场地有外人走动时，怎么办　 79 020. 与围观群众的区隔方法　 80 021. 号码牌的制作　 82 022. 座位标示图的应用　 83 023. 茶会名称的标示　 84 024. 音响的设置　 86 025. 解说员与表演者的位置　 87 026. 纪念性无我茶会　 88 027. 座位的控制　 89 第四章 报到时段 028. 抽签、签名等报到手续　 92 029. 人多时，如何缩短抽签与签名的时间　 94 030. 报到人数的掌握　 96 031. 人数与座位的控制　 97 032. 想让没带茶具的朋友也一起参加茶会，怎么办　 98 033. 以无我茶会作为欢迎茶会时怎么做　 99 034. 带着幼儿一起参加，应否设置“母子签”， 坐折叠椅区者如何抽签　 100 035. “ 对时”如何实施　 101 036. 要设“引导人员”吗　 102 037. 茶会进行间要不要有专人负责临时发生的事情　 103 038. 缺席的座位号码牌如何处理　 103 039. 工作人员何时入场　 104 040. 迟到的人怎么办　 105 041. 表演者、解说员等的座位安排　 105 042. 因无可奈何的原因使得茶会无法依原定时间进行， 如何补救　 106 043. 无我茶会是大家一起参与的茶会　 107 第五章 与会者会前的准备 044. 无我茶会茶具“精俭”的要求　 112 045. 无我茶会的基本道具　 114 046. 无我茶会的“茶具”应注意哪些使用上的功能　 116 047. 如何携带茶具才好　 117 048. 保护茶具的包装器材有何应留意的地方　 120 049. 带什么“茶”才好　 121 050. “ 茶”如何携带　 122 051. 泡两种茶叶时，茶具如何准备　 123 052. 泡茶用水的准备及对保温瓶的要求　 124 053. 无我茶会就坐的方式　 125 054. 坐垫的功能要求　 128 055. 会前下过雨，或担心坐在有泥的地方， 应增加什么配备　 130 056. 无我茶会的服装与鞋子　 132 057. 茶会间安排有茶食享用时，如何准备　 133 058. 无我茶会泡茶法举例之一：小壶茶法　 134 059. 无我茶会泡茶法举例之二：盖碗茶法　 139 060. 无我茶会泡茶法举例之三：抹茶法　 140 061. 上述泡茶法举例，为何都没有提到温壶、 烫杯等动作　 142 062. 无我茶会对“夜晚茶会灯”的要求　 143 063. 参加无我茶会应达成多少目的　 145 064. 如何轻松愉快地享受无我茶会　 146 065. 逍遥于茶会的广场　 147 066. 无我茶会的茶具就是“旅行用茶具”　 149 第六章 就位与联谊时段 067. 每人的坐垫应如何放置才会整齐　 152 068. 就坐后号码牌如何处置　 154 069. 杯子正放还是倒扣的好　 154 070. 向围观者奉茶时，对外奉茶的杯子要陈列出来吗　 155 071. 安排有“供应茶食”时， 带来的茶食要不要摆放出来　 156 072. 夜晚无我茶会时，茶会灯放哪儿比较好　 157 073. 户外风大时怎么办　 159 074. 茶会前下过雨，场地潮湿怎么办　 159 075. 户外昆虫的问题　 160 076. “ 茶具观摩与联谊”何时开始、 何时结束、有何替代方案　 161 077. 茶具观摩的礼节　 163 078. 如何发挥联谊的效果　 166 079. 如何对围观群众发放“简介”　 166 第七章 无我茶会的泡茶与奉茶 080. 无我茶会使用“简便泡茶法”　 170 081. 何时开始泡茶、何时开始奉茶　 170 082. 第一道如何奉茶，杯子放在哪里　 171 083. 奉茶时，杯子由谁拿取，无法蹲下的人如何奉茶， 走动不便的人如何奉茶，盲友的茶会如何应变　 176 084. 第二道以后如何奉茶　 178 085. 奉茶时要不要说“请喝茶”， 被奉者要不要说“谢谢”　 179 086. 奉茶一定要依前后的次序吗　 179 087. 奉茶时从座位的哪一边出去　 180 088. 奉茶时遇“空位”及“未泡茶的品茗后活动演出者”， 怎么办　 181 089. 若许多位“品茗后活动”的演出人员未能一起泡茶， 如何让他们有茶喝　 183 090. 若设有解说员，如何奉茶给他　 184 091. 如何奉茶给围观的人　 185 092. 泡茶杯数与泡茶次数如何决定　 188 093. 泡两种茶时，如何操作　 190 094. 泡茶用水不足时，如何补充　 191 095. 茶会间若安排有茶食享用，如何进行　 192 096. 茶会没安排供应茶食， 可因自己泡抹茶而提供茶食吗　 193 097. 纪念性无我茶会等特种场合的奉茶法　 194 098. 对围观者的询问及要求，如何回应　 195 099. 奉茶间的礼节　 196 100. 什么时候开始喝茶，从哪一杯开始喝　 199 101. 喝茶时应快快地喝还是慢慢地喝　 201 102. 茶叶浸泡期间，做什么才好　 201 103. 泡茶进度超前或落后时，有何调节的方法　 202 104. 如何避免摄录像破坏气氛　 203 105. 无好恶之心的真谛　 204 第八章 品茗后活动与收拾 106. 何谓“品茗后活动”，如何进行， 与“会后活动”有何不同　 208 107. 品茗后活动如何与演出者协商　 211 108. 品茗后活动要不要设置表演台　 212 109. 泡完茶，要不要当场清理茶具　 214 110. 如何预防收拾茶具后，壶盅的残水外流　 215 111. 收拾茶具前之擦杯动作，意义何在　 216 112. 何时开始擦拭自己用过的杯子　 218 113. 收杯礼节　 218 114. 茶具如何收拾　 220 115. 泡茶结束后还剩有茶汤怎么办　 220 116. 个人泡茶位子的复原　 221 117. 茶会如何结束　 222 118. 公共设施的收拾　 223 119. 茶会后全体合影　 224 120. 有些“人”或“事”需要特别感谢或说明时， 怎么办　 224 121. 无我茶会表现的茶道艺术　 225 第九章 茶会进行间 122. 奉茶方法发生了错误怎么办　 230 123. 别人奉给您的茶少了一杯，怎么办　 230 124. 所泡的茶倒不完怎么办　 231 125. 遇到自己喝不下的茶怎么办　 232 126. 不爱喝茶，或今天不能喝茶，但又喜欢参加茶会， 怎么办　 233 127. 奉茶时，发现自己的前一杯茶尚未被喝掉，怎么办　 234 128. 收杯时，遇到剩有茶汤怎么办　 235 129. 茶没泡好，可以做些补救措施吗　 236 130. 泡茶时发现水量或泡出的汤量明显不足， 有何应变方法　 237 131. 可以倒一杯给反方向的芳邻吗　 238 132. 杯子的卫生问题　 239 133. 不知道喝的是什么茶，可以问吗，可以赞美他吗　 240 134. 最后一道茶奉完， 可以走到景仰的人那儿要杯茶喝吗　 242 135. 会后可以与别人交换茶具作纪念吗　 243 136. 茶会结束后可以再约些人原地继续泡茶吗　 244 137. 无我茶会可以使用非茶的饮料吗　 245 138. 无我茶会错误最多的地方　 246 139. 无我茶会的“自由”与“法制”　 248 第十章 主办单位的会前准备 140. 举办无我茶会的时机　 252 141. 如何订定无我茶会的名称　 253 142. 勘察场地　 253 143. 有哪些工作需要专人负责　 255 144. 谁是无我茶会的工作人员　 256 145. “ 公告事项”的制作　 257 146. “ 会前说明会”的举办　 261 147. “ 工作检查表”的应用　 263 148. 茶会记录　 265 149. 如何掌握参加的人数　 268 150. 无我茶会的各项进度需要多少时间　 269 151. 参加无我茶会的人，应如何识别　 271 152. 无我茶会要义图　 272 第十一章 茶会的推广 153. 无我茶会推广工作如何进行　 276 154. 将无我茶会列入茶道教育课程　 276 155. 四学分的无我茶会课程安排　 277 156. 无我茶会又为茶道加了藩篱吗　 281 157. 无我茶会道场的设置　 283 158. 无我茶会茶具完整性的重要　 284 159. 无我茶会的机动性与扩充性　 284 160. 如何使无我茶会的风格与特性突显出来　 286 161. 无我茶会是随意还是严谨　 287 162. 无我茶会为什么不设贵宾席与长官致词的时间　 290 163. 无我茶会进行间为什么不放音乐　 291 164. “ 品茗后活动”演出人员最好也是 参加无我茶会的人　 292 165. 推广性无我茶会的举办　 293 166. 无我茶会在其他场合的应用　 294 167. 无我茶会的英、日、韩译　 296 168. 什么是无我茶会的国际组织　 297 169. 无我茶会需要统一的会旗与会歌吗　 298 170. 无我茶会的传播　 299 171. 无我茶会的字面意义是什么　 302 172. 无我茶会不只是一种茶会形式　 303 173. 制茶泡茶喝茶都在无何有之乡　 306 174. 一人到千万人的无我茶会　 310 175. 无我茶会的四美　 311 176. 无我茶会是要求精致的一种茶道体系　 314 177. 无我茶会有用吗？　 316 178. 无我茶会对个人与群体的影响　 320 第十二章 无我茶会简史 179. 无我茶会的创办　 330 180. 无我茶会的出生背景　 330 181. 为什么有无我茶会的诞生　 331 182. 从独饮到无我茶会　 332 183. 第一次无我茶会的举办　 334 184. 第一次公开举办的无我茶会　 335 185. 第一次国际无我茶会　 336 186. 无我茶会专书的出版　 337 187. 第一座无我茶会纪念碑在武夷山　 339 188. 从“无我茶会推广委员会” 到“国际无我茶会推广协会”　 341 189. 无我茶会大事记（1989 ～ 2022）　 342 第十三章 对外解说稿 190. 无我茶会解说稿　 370 跋∕无我茶会的理想国　 382 蔡荣章简介　 393 Contents Preface / The Birth of Sans Self Tea Gathering by Tsai, Rong-Tsang 23 Foreword / On Tsai, Rong-Tsang’s ‘Sans Self Tea Gathering’ by Hooi Yoke Lien 29 Chapter 1 The Basic Feature and Procedure of Sans Self Tea Gathering 001. The Basic Format of a Sans Self Tea Gathering 35 002. Unique Features and the Seven Principles 43 003. Why is tea served in one direction at a Sans Self Tea Gathering? 50 Chapter 2 The Principles for Venue Setup 004. What kind of indoor venue is appropriate? 54 005. What makes an ideal outdoor venue? 55 006. Is it necessary to choose a quiet and scenic place? 57 007. What if it rains? 58 008. How bright should the lighting be for a Sans Self Tea Gathering held in the evening? 59 009. What should we do if, owing to the particular conditions and terrain of the venue, we cannot form a continuous loop? 60 010. What is the best seating arrangement for a tea demonstration on stage? 61 011. When hosting a Sans Self Tea Gathering for memorial purposes, what are the items to be adjusted? 62 012. How much space is needed for a person sitting on the floor? What is the distance between two people? And how much space should be reserved in front of each person to ensure a free flow of traffic? 63 013. How many people can this venue accommodate? 66 014. When organising a Sans Self Tea Gathering in the countryside, the absence of public conveniences could be an issue. Is there any way to overcome this? 67 Chapter 3 Venue Preparation 015. Creating the Venue Layout Plan 71 016. Marking the Seats 73 017. The Direction for the Placement of Number Plates 74 018. Forward-facing or rear-facing? 76 019. What if a tea gathering is held in public, and there are people passing by? 79 020. Ways to separate participants from onlookers 80 021. Making number plates 82 022. The use of a Seating Plan 83 023. How to display the name of the Tea Gathering 84 024. Setting up Audio Equipment 86 025. Positions of the Presenter and Performers 87 026. A Commemorative Sans Self Tea Gathering 88 027. How to control seating arrangement 89 Chapter 4 Signing in, Drawing of Lots and Taking one’s Seat 028. Signing-in Procedure: drawing of lots, registry signing and others 92 029. Shortening the drawing and signing-in processes in the event of a large attendance 94 030. Handling participants signing in upon arrival 96 031. Controlling the number of participants and seat arrangement 97 032 What if I want to bring along some friends who have not prepared any tea ware? 98 033. What if it is a Sans Self Tea Gathering held for the purpose of welcoming someone? 99 034. Is there a need for connecting lots in the event that some participants come with their young children? How about those who have difficulty squatting or sitting on the floor? 100 035. How to ensure time synchronising 102 036. Should there be any facilitators? 102 037. Should there be personnel assigned to deal with unforeseen circumstances? 103 038. How to deal with number plates of absentees 104 039. When should members of the organising team be seated at the tea gathering? 104 040. What would happen to latecomers? 105 041. Seating arrangement for the presenter and performers 106 042. If for reasons beyond our control, the tea gathering cannot be held as scheduled, what remedial measures can be taken? 107 043. Sans Self Tea Gatherings require full participation of all 108 Chapter 5 Pre-event Preparation for Sans Self Tea Gathering 044. ‘Simplicity and Frugality’: the principle behind the use of tea ware for a Sans Self Tea Gathering 112 045. The basic items of tea ware for Sans Self Tea Gathering 115 046. Some practical tips about the tea ware for a Sans Self Tea Gathering 116 047. What is the best way to pack your tea ware when you are travelling? 118 048. Things to note about the protective/wrapping materials for the tea ware 120 049. Which tea should I bring? 121 050. How should the tea be packed? 122 051. How to prepare the tea ware if two types of tea are to be brewed? 123 052. Preparing water for brewing and the choice of thermal flask 124 053. Sitting posture at a Sans Self Tea Gathering 126 054. Some practical tips about the seating mat 128 055. What should we bring along in addition, if it rains before the tea gathering or the ground is sandy/muddy? 130 056. Attire and shoes for Sans Self Tea Gathering 132 057. What kind of preparation is required for a tea gathering that calls for tea time snacks? 133 058. An example of tea brewing at a Sans Self Tea Gathering: Small Teapot Brewing 136 059. An example of tea brewing at a Sans Self Tea Gathering: Lidded Cup Brewing 139 060. An example of tea brewing at a Sans Self Tea Gathering: Powdered Tea Brewing 141 061. There is no pot warming or cup warming in the description of the methods above. Why? 142 062. Lighting requirement for an evening Sans Self Tea Gathering 144 063. What is to be achieved with a Sans Self Tea Gathering ? 145 064. How to enjoy Sans Self Tea Gathering in a relaxed manner 146 065. Feeling free and easy at the Tea Gathering 148 066. Choose tea ware that travels well for Sans Self Tea Gathering 150 Chapter 6 Taking your seat and Tea ware Appreciation 067. How can we ensure the seating mats are neatly aligned? 152 068. How should we handle the number plate? 154 069. Should the cups be placed right side up or upside down? 155 070. If tea is to be served to onlookers, should the extra cups be displayed? 156 071. Should the snack be displayed if the tea gathering calls for tea time snacks? 156 072. For Sans Self Tea Gathering taking place in the evening, where should the lights be placed? 157 073. What should we do if there is strong wind outdoors? 159 074. What should we do if the venue is rain-soaked? 160 075. Issues with insects for outdoor tea gatherings 161 076. Tea ware Appreciation and Networking session: When to begin, when to end and what are the alternatives? 162 077. Etiquette during tea ware appreciation 164 078. How to optimise the impact of networking 166 079. How to distribute backgrounder to members of the public at the venue 167 Chapter 7 Guidelines for brewing, serving and taking tea 080. Adopting the simple brewing method for Sans Self Tea Gathering 170 081. When should we begin brewing and serving? 171 082. How should one serve the first brew? Where should we place the cups? 172 083. When offering tea, who should be taking the cups? For the mobility-challenged, vision-impaired and those with difficulty squatting, what special arrangements can be made? 177 084. How is tea served after the second round of brewing? 178 085. Should we say ‘Have tea, please’ when serving and ‘Thank you’ when being served? 179 086. Is it necessary to follow the seat order when serving? 180 087. From which side should we rise and proceed to serve tea? 180 088. What should we do if we come across a vacant seat or a nonbrewing after-tea activities performer? 181 089. For performers who are responsible for after-tea activities and will be unable to participate in brewing, how should we arrange tea for them? 183 090. If there is a presenter at the Sans Self Tea Gathering, how should we arrange tea for him? 184 091. How should we offer tea to members of the public? 186 092. How to decide the number of cups and brews 189 093. How should we proceed when we are required to brew two types of tea? 190 094. How do we replenish water for brewing should we run out of it? 191 095. If tea time snacks are to be shared during the tea gathering, how should we go about? 192 096. May I bring along tea snacks to go with matcha even if the particular Sans Self Tea Gathering does not call for serving of tea snacks? 194 097. How should tea be served at a Sans Self Tea Gathering dedicated to a special occasion? 195 098. How should we respond to the enquiries or requests of onlookers? 196 099. Etiquette during tea serving 197 100. When do we start taking tea? Which cup should we take first? 199 101. At a Sans Self Tea Gathering, is tea to be taken swiftly or slowly? 201 102. What should we do when the tea leaves are steeping? 202 103. How to adjust the pace of tea brewing if one has gone too far ahead or lagged behind 203 104. How could we prevent photography and filming from spoiling the ambience? 204 105. The true meaning of setting aside personal preference 205 Chapter 8 Etiquette for After-tea Activities and Packing 106. What are after-tea activities? And what is the difference between after-tea activities and post-event activities? 209 107. How to coordinate after-tea activities with the performers 211 108. No stage is required for after-tea activities 212 109. Is it necessary to wash the tea ware after brewing? 214 110. How to prevent water seeping through the teapot or lidded cup after tea ware is packed 215 111. Why should we wipe the teacups before packing? 216 112. When should we start wiping the cups we have drunk from? 218 113. Etiquette for cup collection 219 114. In what manner should we pack the tea ware? 220 115. What should we do with the tea infusion left behind when brewing is over? 221 116. Getting the place back to its original state 222 117. How does the tea gathering end? 222 118. Packing event items 223 119. Group photo session at the end of the Tea Gathering 224 120. What should we do if there are people and matters that need to be acknowledged or addressed? 224 121. The artistic manifestation of the Way of Tea as expressed by a Sans Self Tea Gathering 226 Chapter 9 During a Sans Self Tea Gathering 122. How do we remedy the situation if an error occurs when tea is served? 230 123. What if you are served one cup less? 231 124. What if I can’t finish pouring the tea I have brewed and there is some left behind? 232 125. What should I do if the tea infusion is too hard to stomach? 233 126. What should I do if I love attending tea gatherings but am not a fan of tea or am unable to take tea on the day? 234 127. What should I do if the previous cup served has not been taken when I am about to serve the current brew? 235 128. What if there is still tea infusion in the cup when I come to collect it? 236 129. Is there anything I can do if the tea is not brewed to perfection? 237 130. What should I do if I don’t have enough water for brewing, or there is clearly too little tea infusion? 238 131. May I offer a cup to my neighbour in the opposite direction? 239 132. Concerns about hygiene for teacups 240 133. Can we ask what type of tea is being served? Is it acceptable to commend someone for a good brew? 241 134. After offering the last brew, would it be possible for me to approach a tea guru I revere for his brew? 242 135. Is it acceptable to exchange tea ware with fellow participants at the end of the tea gathering? 243 136. Is it permissible to ask a few friends to stay back for more brews when the tea gathering is over? 244 137. Is beverage other than tea allowed during Sans Self Tea Gatherings? 245 138. The question on Sans Self Tea Gathering with the most wrong answers 247 139. Balancing the concepts of freedom and confinement at a Sans Self Tea Gathering 249 Chapter 10 Pre-event Preparation by the Organiser 140. The opportune time for a Sans Self Tea Gathering 252 141. How should we name a Sans Self Tea Gathering? 253 142. Reconnaissance 254 143. Which tasks are to be handled by specific personnel? 255 144. Who are the members of the Organising Committees? 256 145. Preparing the Notification 259 146. Hosting pre-event briefings 261 147. The use of Task Checklist 264 148. Record of the Tea Gathering 265 149. How to control the number of participants? 268 150. How much time should be allocated to each step of the procedure? 270 151. How to identify participants of a Sans Self Tea Gathering 271 152. Sans Self Tea Gathering at a glance 273 Chapter 11 Promoting Sans Self Tea Gathering and its Meaning 153. How should we promote Sans Self Tea Gathering? 276 154. Incorporating Sans Self Tea Gathering into the curriculum of courses on the Way of Tea 277 155. The four-credit unit Sans Self Tea Gathering course 279 156. Do Sans Self Tea Gatherings add yet another barrier to the Way of Tea? 282 157. Setting up Sans Self Tea Gathering Community Centres 283 158. The importance of a complete set of tea ware to Sans Self Tea Gathering 284 159. Flexibility and reach of Sans Self Tea Gathering 285 160. How could we highlight the style and characteristics of Sans Self Tea Gathering? 286 161. Is Sans Self Tea Gathering a freewheeling or a disciplined occasion? 288 162. Why are there no arrangements for VIP seating and speech of attending officials? 290 163. Why don’t we have background music during a Sans Self Tea Gathering? 291 164. After-tea activities would best be carried out by participants 292 165. Organising a promotional Sans Self Tea Gathering 293 166. Application of Sans Self Tea Gatherings 295 167. Translation of ‘Sans Self Tea Gathering’ into English, Japanese and Korean 297 168. What is the International Sans Self Tea Gathering Organisation? 298 169. Is there a need for an official flag and anthem for the Sans Self Tea Gathering? 299 170. The propagation of Sans Self Tea Gathering 301 171. What is the meaning behind Sans Self Tea Gathering? 303 172. Sans Self Tea Gathering is more than a form of tea gathering 304 173. The Land of Nothingness: where tea is produced, brewed and taken 307 174. Sans Self Tea Gathering for one to thousands and millions of participants 310 175. The four kinds of beauty of a Sans Self Tea Gathering 312 176. Sans Self Tea Gathering is a system of refinement 315 177. Does Sans Self Tea Gathering serve a purpose? 318 178. The impact of Sans Self Tea Gathering on the individuals and the masses 324 Chapter 12 A Brief History of Sans Self Tea Gathering 179. The Origin of Sans Self Tea Gathering 330 180. The background against which Sans Self Tea Gathering was born 331 181. What led to the birth of Sans Self Tea Gathering? 332 182. From tea-for-one to Sans Self Tea Gathering 333 183. The first Sans Self Tea Gathering 335 184. The first Sans Self Tea Gathering in public 335 185. The first International Sans Self Tea Gathering 336 186. Publications on Sans Self Tea Gathering 338 187. The first Sans Self Tea Gathering monument at the Wuyi Mountain 339 188. From Sans Self Tea Gathering Promotion Committee to Chinese International Sans Self Tea Gathering Promotion Association 341 189. Milestones of Sans Self Tea Gathering (1989 – 2022) 347 Chapter 13 The Presenter’s Script for Sans Self Tea Gathering 190. The Presenter’s Script for Sans Self Tea Gathering 375 Afterword / The Utopia of Sans Self Tea Gathering 387 About Tsai, Rong-Tsang 396

序 无我茶会的诞生 无我茶会是发自于“独饮”的，自己一个人泡茶、喝茶。自己一个人泡茶、喝茶，如果是有意识的，这样做一定是专注的，是一心在茶的，是茶道很好的境界。如果找几个人一起独饮呢，因为是专注，所以大家都不会太说话，人数扩大以后，只要有一定的规范，必定是一种很有特色的茶会。怎样才会形成一种茶会形式？要有一定的组合，例如大家围成圈圈就坐，这样就可以利用“奉茶”将大家连接在一起；如果再“依同一方向奉茶”，这个圈圈就不会被切割成几个小区块，这两个基本做法，就将这样的聚会建构成一个有机的茶会。大家围成圈圈泡茶，泡完茶，每人都依同一个方向奉茶，例如都是向左，或都是向右，又倘若每个人都泡四杯茶，三杯奉给左邻或右邻的三位茶友，一杯留给自己，每人就会有四杯茶可喝，三杯是来自右邻的三位茶友，一杯是自己泡的茶。 在这样的基本架构上，我们可以将茶道上一些被喜欢的道理与做法结合进来，例如茶道是奉茶给任何人的，只要坐上品茗者的位置，不论什么身分，什么流派，都会被奉上一杯茶。另外，就茶道艺术创作而言，创作者无需关注欣赏者的接受范围，品茗者也无需选择茶道艺术家的作品风格，艺术创作就是艺术创作，艺术作品就是艺术作品，他们本身都具有独立的“人格”。所以茶会的座位应该由抽签来决定，以抽签决定座位也是做人“无尊卑之分”的道理。 泡完茶，大家都依同一方向奉茶，除了上述所说的“避免被切割成几个区块”外，也是“无报偿之心”的习惯养成。这样的茶会要能方便地举行，与会者必须都自备茶具、茶叶，包括泡茶用的热水，一切自备，不要依赖主办单位为与会者准备些什么。而且大家席地泡茶，泡茶者席地而坐，或是准备一张折叠的小椅子。进一步再说，茶道与茶道艺术家喜欢的“无流派之分”、“接纳各种茶，无好恶之心”，也只有在自备茶具茶叶的情况之下才能做到，甚至于主办单位还不可以规定大家带什么样的茶具与什么样的茶叶。 为了简化茶会举办的行政工作，可以设计一张“公告事项”，将茶会举办的时间、地点、程序、公共事务的工作分配都写清楚，发放给与会的每一个人，这样就不需要再有其他的通知了，茶会现场也不必设置指挥与司仪， 一切以公告事项上的约定来做。因为大家都专注于泡茶、奉茶、喝茶，本来就不需要说什么话，如果再规定泡茶期间“不语”，这段时间的整个会场就会鸦雀无声。然而当泡茶的时候，大家又都是在泡茶，奉茶的时候，大家又都是在奉茶，喝茶的时候，大家又都是在喝茶，喝完三道茶，如果约定有音乐欣赏的“品茗后活动”，大家又都不约而同地坐在原地，等待聆听一段音乐。不但让人感到群体律动之美，也让人体会到遵守公共约定的奥妙。 这样子形成的茶会叫什么茶会呢？因为茶会中有太多的“无”，所以应该称呼为“无茶会”，但是太不像个名称，所以加个“我”，变成“无我茶会”。这个“无”，除了本来就“无”的“无”，还包括了“有”了以后的 “无”，本来就无的无，让大家体会“存在”的意义；有了以后的无，让大家习惯“化有为无”，就如同光线的融合，将原来的七彩融合成无。这七彩包括喜欢的与不喜欢的，每次无我茶会都将它融为无，茶会以后再产生新的有。这时候我们比较有“主宰的能力与意识”，比较有能力来创造新的有。 蔡荣章 漳州科技学院茶文化研究中心， 2019年12月13日 Preface / The Birth of Sans Self Tea Gathering It all begins with a person making and taking tea alone. Immersing oneself in the world of tea without any distraction is a perfect way to embrace the Way of Tea. Soon, you would want to invite a few friends over to do the same -- it is possible when everyone focuses on tea by making and taking their own without conversing. With more people joining, this may evolve into a very unique form of tea gathering so long as some rules are introduced. How would such an occasion become a tea gathering?There must be a way in organising the participants. Seated in a loop formation, they connect with each other by serving tea. Furthermore, offering tea in one direction keeps the formation intact, enabling the occasion to evolve naturally into a tea gathering. If each participant is to brew four cups of tea, three of these will be served to the three fellow participants on the left (or right), and the last one reserved for their own consumption. This way, each participant gets to enjoy four cups of tea each round. Some preferred ideas and practices have been incorporated in this basic structure. For example, the Way of Tea encourages us to serve tea to the others regardless of their status and background, or the school of thoughts they represent. Tea infusion is a form of art -- it should be created by a tea artist without worrying about what the others want; likewise, those to be served should not show preference to tea artists with a certain style they like. Each work of tea infusion is, similar to art pieces, unique. By the same token, seats are decided by random drawing of lots to eliminate a hierarchical arrangement. During the event, tea is offered in one direction. While this will avoid splitting the loop, it also encourages participants not to engage in reciprocation. For such a tea gathering to be held without hassle, participants are required to bring their own tea leaves and tea ware, including hot water for brewing; the Organiser is not expected to provide those. Everyone sits and brews on the floor; small collapsible chairs are allowed, if needed. Bringing along one’s tea leaves and tea ware enables participants to set aside personal preferences and be open to stylistic differences. Furthermore, the Organizer is not allowed to specify the kind of tea ware and tea leaves to be used. To simplify event management, a Notification detailing the time and date, venue, event flow and task list is distributed to all those participating before the tea gathering. The presence of a director or master of ceremonies is not required, so long as everyone follows what is stated in the Notification. No talking is needed. Participants remain silent while making, offering and taking tea as stated in the Notification; you could have heard a pin drop. The absence of verbal reminder does not hinder the progress in unison -- from brewing, offering and taking tea to staying where they are for aftertea activities. Synchronised action gives rise to a beautiful collective rhythm made possible by observing pre-agreed decisions. How should we name such a tea gathering? ‘Sans Self’ is not to be understood in a literal sense. The name highlights the concept of ‘nothingness’ (denoted by the word ‘sans’) that is key to this unique form of tea gathering. The ‘I’ implied in the name helps put ‘nothingness’ in context. Like an amalgamation of colours giving rise to apparently colourless/white light, we reset our mind to the state of ‘nothingness’ after a ‘Sans Self Tea Gathering’ and proceed to create what we aspire to next. It is this momentum of resetting and rebuilding that fuels an unending cycle of self-renewal. Tsai, Rong-Tsang The Tea Culture Research Institute, Zhangzhou College of Science and Technology December 13, 2019