Tea in China explores the contours of religious and cultural transformation in traditional China from the point of view of an everyday commodity and popular beverage. The work traces the development of tea drinking from its mythical origins to the nineteenth century and examines the changes in aesthetics; ritual; science; health; and knowledge that tea brought with it.The shift in drinking habits that occurred in late medieval China cannot be understood without an appreciation of the fact that Buddhist monks were responsible for not only changing people's attitudes toward the intoxicating substance; but also the proliferation of tea drinking. Monks had enjoyed a long association with tea in South China; but it was not until Lu Yu's compilation of the Chajing (The Classic of Tea) and the spread of tea drinking by itinerant Chan monastics that tea culture became popular throughout the empire and beyond. Tea was important for maintaining long periods of meditation; it also provided inspiration for poets and profoundly affected the ways in which ideas were exchanged. Prior to the eighth century; the aristocratic drinking party had excluded monks from participating in elite culture. Over cups of tea; however; monks and literati could meet on equal footing and share in the same aesthetic values. Monks and scholars thus found common ground in the popular stimulant―one with few side effects that was easily obtainable and provided inspiration and energy for composing poetry and meditating. In addition; rituals associated with tea drinking were developed in Chan monasteries; aiding in the transformation of China's sacred landscape at the popular and elite level. Pilgrimages to monasteries that grew their own tea were essential in the spread of tea culture; and some monasteries owned vast tea plantations. By the end of the ninth century; tea was a vital component in the Chinese economy and in everyday life.Tea in China transcends the boundaries of religious studies and cultural history as it draws on a broad range of materials―poetry; histories; liturgical texts; monastic regulations―many translated or analyzed for the first time. The book will be of interest to scholars of East Asia and all those concerned with the religious dimensions of commodity culture in the premodern world.
#1097276 in Books 2004-12-31 2004-12-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x .92 x 5.92l; 1.29 #File Name: 0824829077350 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Comprehensive view of the Shikoku PilgrimageBy AlchemistGeorgeThis is the fourth book I've read about the pilgrimage: Statler's Japanese Pilgrimage; The 1918 Shikoku Pilgrimage of Takamure Itsue; and Lisa Dempster's Neon Pilgrim. This is easily the most comprehensive.The book presents many points of view. How do the residents of Shikoku view the pilgrimage (and pilgrims)? How do the temple priests view the bus and walking pilgrims ? The tour companies and tour guides? The bus pilgrims? The walkers? And how does the pilgrimage today fit into the history of Shikoku; and Japanese pilgrimages; and pilgrimages in general? Maybe its a slight exaggeration; but I would say "its all here." It gives you a pretty concrete sense of what it is like to either walk the route; or take the bus. Almost everything - except its not a guide book.This is obviously a book written by an academic; a lot of thoroughly reasoned statements carefully qualified; footnotes; obviously a lot of primary and secondary research. Yet easy to read; fun to read; and informative. One of the appendices even gives estimated costs for doing the pilgimage!Strongly recommended for people looking for anything more than a first person account of doing the pilgrimage.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Traveling through a MandalaBy marcI walked the Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage in 1989. It was the experience of a lifetime and Reader captures the history and experience of the Pilgrimage in very readable detail.Reading this book brought back so many memories. Spectacular views of rice fields; sea coasts; mountain ridges. Long discussions with temple priests. Meeting kids and their grandparents who had never seen a 'gaijin' (foreigner)outside of TV or photos. The trucks zooming past me in long dark tunnels. Meeting other walkers along misty mountain paths. Waiting for an hour behind the tourist bus pilgrims to get my temple stamps. The overwhelming generosity of the people of Shikoku Island and others as they gave me gifts of tangerines; sweets and cups of tea; and more.I met and spent time with several of the people he wrote about; and Reader captures them and their experiences along the Pilgrim trail and temples. Through this fine book I was able to link my experiences others across a thousand years of making the pilgrimage. Thank you Ian Reader; fellow Henro!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Shikoku PilgrimageBy ChandraI have started reading the book and have only just completed the first chapter. From what I can judge so far; it is a very detailed study of the Shikoku pilgrimage; its historical evoulution and its significance from religious and cultural aspects. The text is very well written and I have found the narration very interesting even though this book or its subject would not arouse much enthusiam among many if judged only by its title. The authour is commended for the quality of his presentation. The book will be extremely very useful to me and my wife who intend to embark on this pilgrimage as soon as we have sufficient funds.The condition of the used book I purched was good and I am happy with it.ThanksChandra
