tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8162552.post-1135796624598464552005-12-28T08:58:00.000-10:002005-12-28T09:18:52.020-10:002005-12-28T09:18:52.020-10:00This is about the "odd monk" Ikkyu of the Daitokuji and the Tea Master Shuko.<br /><br />"When Shuko went to study the Zen philosophy under him Ikkyu made tea for him, but when he took the bowl and was going to drink it, Ikkyu knocked it out of his hand with his iron Nyoi sceptre. This was too much for Shuko, who started up from his seat, whereupon Ikkyu shouted out 'Drink it up!' Shuko then saw the point and, quite equal to the occasion, retorted 'Willows are green and flowers red.' 'Good,' said Ikkyu, quite satisfied that the other understood. Which is, being interpreted, things must remain as they are, for the nature of phenomena cannot be changed any more than spilt tea can be drunk."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cha-No-Yu: The Japanese Tea Ceremony</span><br />by A.L. Sadlerfrankysbridenoreply@blogger.com