Chinese Tea Ceremony: The Four Noble Truths Brewing Method
Core Utensils
Yixing clay teapot (for oolong) / Celadon gaiwan (for green tea)
Bamboo tea scoop, Longquan fairness cup, Tenmoku tasting cups
Mahogany tea tray, Bamboo tea pick, Silk tea cloth
Nine Sacred Steps
- Appreciation (Cha Xi Ritual)
Present dry leaves on white tea boat, rotate clockwise for guests to observe like reading landscape scrolls - Awakening (Vessel Purification)
Pour boiling water to warm utensils, celadon glows like moonlight in steam, awakening vessels’ spirit before brewing - Dragon Enters Palace (Leaf Placement)
Gently guide tea with scoop: 3g green tea like spring sparrows, 7g pu’er resembling pine forest layers - Bathing Immortals (Rinse)
Circle-pour 85℃ water along vessel wall: 3s for green tea, “Phoenix Three Nods” technique for rock oolong - Jade Spring Chant (Infusion)
- Green tea: 80℃ high-pour creating silver down dance
- Pu’er: 100℃ low-flow hearing aged tea breathe
Fill to 70%, leaving 30% void for cosmic energy
- Nectar Distribution (Serving)
Pour through fairness cup using “General Inspects City” motion, ensure uniform strength in each cup - Offer Ambrosia (Presentation)
Present cups with both hands at eyebrow height, exchange finger-knock rituals: elders bend knuckles, juniors align fingers - Three Tastes Enlightenment (Savoring)
- First sip: Sweetness on tongue tip
- Second drink: Richness down throat
- Third cup: Warmth rising from dantian
- Gratitude Closure (Conclusion)
Return leaves to pottery jar for teapot nourishment, offer final “Soul Revival Brew” to tea space, store tools like sheathing swords
