In the serene mountains of China, there was a small village where people lived simple yet content lives. Among them was an old and wise tea master named Lao Wu, who was well-known for his unique blend of tea and the profound wisdom he shared with those who visited him.
One day, a young man named Li traveled from a distant city to learn from Lao Wu. Li had heard the phrase "禅茶一味" (Chán chá yī wèi) and was eager to understand its denotation and connotation. This phrase, which can be translated as "the taste of Zen in tea," held a mysterious allure for Li.
Upon arriving at Lao Wu's modest tea house, Li was greeted with a warm smile and a fragrant cup of tea. As he sipped the tea, he asked, "Master, what does 禅茶一味 mean? How can I experience the essence of Zen in tea?"
Lao Wu chuckled softly and replied, "The denotation of 禅茶一味 is simple: it refers to the unity of Zen and tea. The connotation, however, is much deeper. It is about finding tranquility and enlightenment in the simplest of actions—like drinking tea."
To help Li understand, Lao Wu shared a story of a Zen master who once poured tea for his student. As the cup overflowed, the student exclaimed, "Master, the cup is full!" The Zen master replied, "Just like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and ideas. How can I teach you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"
Over the next few weeks, Li stayed with Lao Wu, learning to prepare and serve tea while embracing the practice of Zen. He discovered that by fully immersing himself in each step, he became more mindful and present in the moment.
As Li's time in the village came to an end, he thanked Lao Wu for the valuable lessons he had learned. He now understood that 禅茶一味 was not just a phrase, but a way of life that combined the simplicity and depth of both Zen and tea. With a newfound sense of clarity and tranquility, Li returned to the city, eager to share his experiences and the wisdom of Chan Tea with others.
Here are ten questions for you to think further about the story:
What is the meaning of the phrase "禅茶一味" (Chán chá yī wèi) in English?
Why did Li travel to the small village in the mountains of China?
What was Lao Wu famous for in the village?
What did Li initially seek to learn from Lao Wu?
How did Lao Wu explain the denotation and connotation of "禅茶一味"?
What story did Lao Wu share with Li to help him understand the deeper meaning of "禅茶一味"?
During Li's stay with Lao Wu, what did he learn about the practice of Zen and tea?
How did Li's understanding of "禅茶一味" change after spending time with Lao Wu?
What new insights did Li gain after learning from Lao Wu?
How did Li plan to share his experiences and the wisdom of Chan Tea with others upon returning to the city?
参考译文
禅茶一味
在中国宁静的山区，有一个小村庄，那里的人们过着简单而满足的生活。在他们中间，有一位名叫老吴的年迈且智慧的茶艺大师，以其独特的茶叶调配技艺和向来访者分享的深刻智慧而闻名。
有一天，一个名叫李的年轻人从远方的城市来到这里，向老吴求教。李曾听闻“禅茶一味”这个词组，渴望了解它的字面意义和内涵。这个词组，翻译成英文是“茶中的禅味”，对李来说充满了神秘的魅力。
当李抵达老吴朴素的茶馆时，他受到了热情的微笑和一杯香醇的茶的欢迎。当他品尝茶水时，他问道：“师傅，禅茶一味是什么意思？我如何才能在茶中体验到禅的精髓？”
老吴轻轻笑了笑，回答道：“禅茶一味的字面意义很简单：它是指禅与茶的统一。而内涵则更为深刻。这是关于在最简单的动作中，如饮茶，找到宁静和启迪。”
为了帮助李理解，老吴讲述了一个关于禅师为学生倒茶的故事。当茶杯溢出时，学生叫道：“师傅，杯子满了！”禅师回答道：“就像这个杯子，你充满了自己的见解和想法。除非你先把你的杯子倒空，否则我怎么教你禅呢？”
在接下来的几个星期里，李留在老吴那里，学习泡茶和上茶的同时，也投入到禅修的实践中。他发现，通过全身心投入到每一个步骤中，他变得更加专注于当下。
当李在村子里的时光即将结束时，他感谢老吴教给他的宝贵经验。现在他明白，禅茶一味不仅仅是一个词组，而是一种将禅和茶的简单与深度结合在一起的生活方式。带着全新的清晰和宁静感，李回到了城市，渴望与人们分享他的经历和禅茶的智慧。他意识到，通过将禅意与品茶相结合，他们也能在忙碌的现代生活中找到平静与觉悟。这使得李成为了一个独特的传播者，将禅茶一味的精神带给了更多的人。
转自：“郑新民谈英语教学与研究”微信公众号
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