Chapter Eight: On Companion

It is a kind of pleasure to make and drink tea alone while sitting in the glow of the burning wood and to hear the wind blowing. It is also a joy to debate with intelligent people, to chat about poems with poets, discuss mysteries with Daoists, talk about Buddhism with Buddhist monks, communicate intimacy with close friends and exchange ghost stories with ordinary people. How enjoyable is it to serve and drink tea together with such honored guests! It will be more uplifting than drinking alone.

 

Chapter Nine: On Drinking

Drinking tea does not depend on time nor season. In the spring, one drinks tea among clean surroundings and blooming flowers. In the summer, one drinks tea in a pavilion with a gentle breeze. In the autumn, one drinks tea in brisk air and in the shade of a banana or phoenix tree. In the winter, one drinks tea in a cozy room amidst blooming plum trees. It is peaceful to drink in a monastery, secluded to drink in the woods, elegant to drink in vicinity of incense and music, heroic to drink in competition, beautiful to drink in a study room (filled with books). The wealthy and honorable drink with antique tripods and golden tea wares, while the humble and lofty drink with ceramic vessels and kiln cups. My seven bowls of Songluo tea besides the stove cannot be exchanged for a hundred of cups filled with vanity and impermanent leisure. If one only drinks tea in summer and in an unconscious manner, then he does not understand tea and can not be called a tea drinker.