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The One Taste of Truth: Zen and the Art of Drinking Tea
This heartfelt ode to the meditative practice of drinking tea examines the origins of traditional tea culture in the East, revealing how a good cuppa can elevate both the mind and spirit Traditionally in China and Japan, drinking a cup of tea was an opportunity for contemplation, meditation, and an elevation of mind and spirit. Here, renowned translator William Scott Wilson distills what is singular and precious about this traditional tea culture, and he explores the fascinating connection between Zen and tea drinking. He unpacks the most common phrases from Zen and Chinese philosophy—usually found in Asia printed on hanging scrolls in tea rooms, restaurant alcoves, family rooms, and martial arts dojos—that have traditionally served as points of contemplation to encourage the appropriate atmosphere for drinking tea or silent meditation.Part history, part philosophy, part inspirational guide, The One Taste of Truth will connect you to the distinctive pleasure of sipping tea and allowing it to transport your mind and thoughts. This beautifully written book will appeal to tea lovers and anyone interested in tea culture, Chinese philosophy, and Zen.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 7, 2016
Worth slowly savoring. The feature that some other reviewers disliked about this book was my favorite thing -- a thoughtfully curated selection of ideas, excerpts, and literary references surrounding Japan's military-tea complex. [grin] Okay, it's more the intersection of Zen, tea, and swordsmanship, and how those arise from a common philosophical root. Lots of Chinese classics, references to them, texts on swordsmanship (particular shout-out to #54; the "Demon's Sermon on the Martial Arts" remains one of my favorite texts and I'm putting that ichigyomono on my motorcycle), and the occasional bit of India in there amongst the Japanese writings as well. I deeply appreciated the inclusion of the original Japanese wherever possible; it really helped me to work on my language skills, and to get more out of the reading by going slowly and trying to assemble the meaning from its component parts. I lent it out within hours of finishing it; that's always high praise for a book.
September 12, 2020
Luin tätä varmaan puoli vuotta. Pääsisältönä teoksessa ovat japanilaisen teehuoneen seinälle laitettavien kirjoituskääröjen tekstit ja niiden merkitysten avaaminen. Periaatteessa kiinnostavaa, mutta niin hyydyttävää pidemmän päälle. "Lause japaniksi ja käännös, mitä teksti tarkoittaa, lainauksia vanhoista kirjoituksista" ja loputon toisto. Suosikkini kääröteksteistä oli "taki" eli suomeksi vesiputous kaikessa yksinkertaisuudessaan. Vaikka tee ja zen ovat lähellä sydäntäni, tämä kirja oli liian raskas ainakin minunkaltaiselleni harrastelijalle.
August 22, 2021
In a nutshell this book is REALLY perplexing.
For one, it doesn't really elucidate on it's on title, i.e. why are Zen and the Way of Tea of one taste. Nor does it elucidate much on Zen in particular, preferring to take a myriad of quotes from classical Chinese and Japanese text which, more often than not, are not really related to Zen. Wilson goes for a approach in which he perhaps tries to show the origins of Zen, which are not "pure" as the tradition would have it, but fundamentally influenced by both Taoist and Confucian traditions. While this is fine in itself, in a book about Zen and tea, this feels a bit out of place, especially since it's done quite haphazardly. In addition, Wilson brings up quotes from other sects of Japanese Buddhism other than Zen, including Shin Buddhism - the phrase "namu amida butsu" - and Shingon. While bringing up Taoist and Confucian thinkers can be argued to be valid, bringing up the practice of Nembutsu and Shingon definitely is not.
The second problem with the book is its target audience, of which Wilson doesn't feel sure of himself. Wilson tries to stay true to Zen Buddhist tradition, in which words obscure the inner meaning of the Way. Following this creed, Wilsons explanations of different phrases are wont to further confuse the reader in their abstractness. This becomes a problem when these explanations don't seem to hold any inner penetration to the phrases' meaning on part of Wilson. Moreover, towards the end of the book these explanations wither away and became nonexistent, while Wilson is content in hammering the reader with a quote after quote, a classical saying or a koan from Zen tradition after the other. All in all, this book is not a one for beginners, to those who have not studied Zen or any other Eastern religion nor have ever picked up a book of the Classics in the Eastern traditions. Yet the book is not of a such a penetrating insight that it can offer more understanding to those who have indeed done the things mentioned.
Where Wilson does something right is in translating and in elucidating on different words and their etymologies. This should not come as surprise, since Wilsons translations are excellent and his notes in the books he has translated are of high quality.
In conclusion, The One Taste of Truth goes wrong in trying to be a philosophical work when the author really does not have the ideas to make the book stand its ground as a work of philosophy. For some readers, this book may offer more insights in the vein of an "inspirational guide", as the back of the book says Wilsons work is. But as an attempt at philosophy it is not good enough.
Moreover, works on the connection between Zen and Tea have already been made: To name just a few, Hisamatsu Shin'ichi's "Zen and the Fine Arts" and Sen Soshitsu's "The Japanese Way of Tea" are outstanding. I would recommend these over Wilson's book.
For one, it doesn't really elucidate on it's on title, i.e. why are Zen and the Way of Tea of one taste. Nor does it elucidate much on Zen in particular, preferring to take a myriad of quotes from classical Chinese and Japanese text which, more often than not, are not really related to Zen. Wilson goes for a approach in which he perhaps tries to show the origins of Zen, which are not "pure" as the tradition would have it, but fundamentally influenced by both Taoist and Confucian traditions. While this is fine in itself, in a book about Zen and tea, this feels a bit out of place, especially since it's done quite haphazardly. In addition, Wilson brings up quotes from other sects of Japanese Buddhism other than Zen, including Shin Buddhism - the phrase "namu amida butsu" - and Shingon. While bringing up Taoist and Confucian thinkers can be argued to be valid, bringing up the practice of Nembutsu and Shingon definitely is not.
The second problem with the book is its target audience, of which Wilson doesn't feel sure of himself. Wilson tries to stay true to Zen Buddhist tradition, in which words obscure the inner meaning of the Way. Following this creed, Wilsons explanations of different phrases are wont to further confuse the reader in their abstractness. This becomes a problem when these explanations don't seem to hold any inner penetration to the phrases' meaning on part of Wilson. Moreover, towards the end of the book these explanations wither away and became nonexistent, while Wilson is content in hammering the reader with a quote after quote, a classical saying or a koan from Zen tradition after the other. All in all, this book is not a one for beginners, to those who have not studied Zen or any other Eastern religion nor have ever picked up a book of the Classics in the Eastern traditions. Yet the book is not of a such a penetrating insight that it can offer more understanding to those who have indeed done the things mentioned.
Where Wilson does something right is in translating and in elucidating on different words and their etymologies. This should not come as surprise, since Wilsons translations are excellent and his notes in the books he has translated are of high quality.
In conclusion, The One Taste of Truth goes wrong in trying to be a philosophical work when the author really does not have the ideas to make the book stand its ground as a work of philosophy. For some readers, this book may offer more insights in the vein of an "inspirational guide", as the back of the book says Wilsons work is. But as an attempt at philosophy it is not good enough.
Moreover, works on the connection between Zen and Tea have already been made: To name just a few, Hisamatsu Shin'ichi's "Zen and the Fine Arts" and Sen Soshitsu's "The Japanese Way of Tea" are outstanding. I would recommend these over Wilson's book.
January 23, 2019
Enjoyed the book and I found it quite useful as a reference for tea-related quotes. I felt though that as I advanced in the book, it started deflating. The first entries have plenty of research and I do tip my hat at Scott Wilson for his great work. However, as you progress, the last chapters seem a little bit sparse in comparison.
Also, I felt that while Scott Wilson does reference the tea world, it still feels a little disconnected from the chado world. He peppers the book with references to martial arts, which I understand as he's written several books on the matter (some which I've read and enjoyed immensely), but it kind of makes it feel less "cha" related and more generic. The Way is common to many disciplines, that's true, but chado has some peculiarities that I would have loved to see reflected here, especially when the book is titled Zen and the Art of Drinking Tea.
Overall, it's a valuable book to have as a source of reference, but it's not for beginners or people with no experience reading Zen texts.
Also, I felt that while Scott Wilson does reference the tea world, it still feels a little disconnected from the chado world. He peppers the book with references to martial arts, which I understand as he's written several books on the matter (some which I've read and enjoyed immensely), but it kind of makes it feel less "cha" related and more generic. The Way is common to many disciplines, that's true, but chado has some peculiarities that I would have loved to see reflected here, especially when the book is titled Zen and the Art of Drinking Tea.
Overall, it's a valuable book to have as a source of reference, but it's not for beginners or people with no experience reading Zen texts.
April 16, 2020
The title of the book misleads the reader in search of a meditative practice of tea drinking. The introduction is the only part of the book I felt the author connected the content to the book’s title.
I spend several weeks looking at the book and considering to continuing reading. For those with a deep knowledge of Zen, Taoism, and Buddhism- this book does not offer much than a confirmation of your understanding. It’s almost dualist in itself. The knowledge you know before reading and the emotion you feel after.
I like the approach of the book, but I think it is too advanced for the layman to pick up and comprehend the truth behind the tea.
I spend several weeks looking at the book and considering to continuing reading. For those with a deep knowledge of Zen, Taoism, and Buddhism- this book does not offer much than a confirmation of your understanding. It’s almost dualist in itself. The knowledge you know before reading and the emotion you feel after.
I like the approach of the book, but I think it is too advanced for the layman to pick up and comprehend the truth behind the tea.
January 6, 2022
I got a little halfway through. I have very little background knowledge about eastern philosophy and this is not at all beginner friendly. It's a collection of quotes from classical Chinese and Japanese texts. And those quotes are expanded upon with translations of passages of Chinese and Japanese texts with little to no explanation beyond that. So I, a novice, have no clue what's happening.
January 20, 2023
I was expecting a history/teachings of Zen and Tea masters rather than a collection of the most common ichigyomono (handing scrolls). But it's still a nice collection of the major Zen concepts and teachings.
I love Daoism and Confucianism, but thought there could have been more of a focus on Zen, and only one mention of Baisao I think?
Still I'd recommend if you study Zen (and like tea).
I love Daoism and Confucianism, but thought there could have been more of a focus on Zen, and only one mention of Baisao I think?
Still I'd recommend if you study Zen (and like tea).
December 28, 2019
Zen and tea
Not what I was expecting. Instead of an introduction to Japanese tea ceremonies, I found an introduction to the (mostly Zen) Buddhist teachings, beliefs, and wisdom that underlie the ceremony.
Not what I was expecting. Instead of an introduction to Japanese tea ceremonies, I found an introduction to the (mostly Zen) Buddhist teachings, beliefs, and wisdom that underlie the ceremony.
December 30, 2017
Wonderful!
July 31, 2020
Took forever but finally finished. Good to read in small portions, to allow it to "digest"
lots of wisdom in these pages, but still feels like, "White guy explains Asian things for white people"
lots of wisdom in these pages, but still feels like, "White guy explains Asian things for white people"
May 9, 2013
Last year a book titled When Buddhists Attack by Jeffrey Mann prompted me to explore both Zen and Japanese warrior culture. I have since read several Zen books and that has become the path of my Buddhist practice. I have also read a few books on Samurai culture, including The Book of Five Rings (translated by Wilson) and The Unfettered Mind.
The appeal of all of this has been two-fold: First, I appreciate Zen's grounding in the moment. If you're a gardener, garden. If you're making tea, make tea. There is nothing to do to be enlightened but to be where you are with full attention. Second, in Samurai culture, there was the method of going about this. Musashi has much to teach the Zen student about the mind through his writing about the sword.
Zen shares roots with Confucianism and Taoism. Zen is interwoven in Japanese culture. There are famous books on Zen and archery and on Zen and calligraphy. Simple, unpretentious, tranquil, natural. Wilson's The One Taste of Truth looked to fit into this genre.
I was disappointed with the book, however. It isn't about tea and Zen or tea and Japanese culture. It is a catalog of quotes that are posted on scrolls in tea rooms. These are grouped by topic. While these provide glimpses into both Zen and Japanese culture, the fact is that the quotes are from a variety of Buddhist, Taoist, and other sources. They aren't necessarily Zen.
Further, it reads like an impersonal book of quotes. I did not come away sensing that the author has any personal experience with Zen or the tea ceremony, though I'm sure he does. I did not come away with an increased understanding of Zen or the tea ceremony's role in Japanese culture. If I created a book of signs from Cracker Barrel restaurants, would it tell you about American culture? Or would I need to put some story around that? That's what this book is lacking.
I'd recommend D.T. Suzuki's Zen and Japanese Culture over this. There are two chapters on tea in that which both capture the aesthetic and cultural importance of tea and the tea ceremony far better than this book.
The appeal of all of this has been two-fold: First, I appreciate Zen's grounding in the moment. If you're a gardener, garden. If you're making tea, make tea. There is nothing to do to be enlightened but to be where you are with full attention. Second, in Samurai culture, there was the method of going about this. Musashi has much to teach the Zen student about the mind through his writing about the sword.
Zen shares roots with Confucianism and Taoism. Zen is interwoven in Japanese culture. There are famous books on Zen and archery and on Zen and calligraphy. Simple, unpretentious, tranquil, natural. Wilson's The One Taste of Truth looked to fit into this genre.
I was disappointed with the book, however. It isn't about tea and Zen or tea and Japanese culture. It is a catalog of quotes that are posted on scrolls in tea rooms. These are grouped by topic. While these provide glimpses into both Zen and Japanese culture, the fact is that the quotes are from a variety of Buddhist, Taoist, and other sources. They aren't necessarily Zen.
Further, it reads like an impersonal book of quotes. I did not come away sensing that the author has any personal experience with Zen or the tea ceremony, though I'm sure he does. I did not come away with an increased understanding of Zen or the tea ceremony's role in Japanese culture. If I created a book of signs from Cracker Barrel restaurants, would it tell you about American culture? Or would I need to put some story around that? That's what this book is lacking.
I'd recommend D.T. Suzuki's Zen and Japanese Culture over this. There are two chapters on tea in that which both capture the aesthetic and cultural importance of tea and the tea ceremony far better than this book.
March 17, 2014
This book is WONDERful, it gave me a much more positive mindset while reading it. It's good for daily inspiration as well as a good long read for fans of asian religion, culture, and history. I will definitely be buying a copy as soon as I can. The setup is pretty simple... the book sets out to explain the link between Zen Buddhism and the tea ceremony, and then proceeds to share with the reader many traditional sayings often found on the wall scrolls in tea houses, meant to be centerpieces for contemplation and enlightenment. The context is given for each saying, and some attempt at explaining its relation to Zen philosophy. So, you can read it slowly, contemplating one saying at a time, or you can dedicate a larger block of time if you are interested in absorbing many at once. There are footnotes in the back which are easy to look up, giving even more context and clarification. Nothing is over-explained, so there is plenty of room for thoughtful exploration.
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December 3, 2013I got to page 80 out of 171 before I had to return it to the library. I liked the book & hope to finish it someday.
June 2, 2014
Things to think on while drinking a good cup of tea :)
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April 9, 2016Highly enjoyable for someone interested in Japanese culture.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews