Category Archives: N-2无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering (Wu-Wo Tea Ceremory)

N-2无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering (Wu-Wo Tea Ceremory)

無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering-Chapter 6- Pre-event Preparation for Sans Self Tea Gathering -蔡荣章Rong-tsang Tsai

《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

ISBN 978-957-9690-08-9,“无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering 180” ,First edition: 1999.9, Second edition: 2010.9,《无我茶会180条》,1999.9第一版，2010.9第二版,台北陆羽茶艺股份有限公司.2012.05.20修订版.-English Translator : Katherine Yip,英语翻译：叶德明.

Chapter 6 Pre-event Preparation for Sans Self Tea Gathering

53 ‘Simplicity and Modesty’: the principle behind the use of tea ware for Sans Self Tea Gathering.

A Sans Self Tea Gathering is to be carried out in as simple a manner as possible; the same goes with personal tea ware for the occasion – one can look to ‘travel tea ware’ as a guide. Going simple will help significantly cut down on time spent preparing, using and packing tea ware; meanwhile, time saved will enable us to experience and enjoy the atmosphere and ambience of the tea gathering.

Precious tea ware is best kept at home. Participants are encouraged to bring along practical pieces. Though the rare fines will usually make quite an impression during the ‘tea ware appreciation and networking’ session, this will draw comparison as participants may rack their brains trying to determine which ones to bring to catch attention. They would be so worried about their precious tea service throughout the event that they will miss what is essentially an enjoyable experience. More often than not, simplicity could be the best policy in life — fame, wealth, possession, and ways and means alike.

When we mentioned ‘precious’, we refer to the yardstick for participants in general. However, for those who often bring such tea ware along and find no problem with this, we will not name-tagged such ‘unsuitable’.

54. The basic ware for Sans Self Tea Gathering

For a gathering with floor seats, bring along ‘seating cushion’. As everyone has to brew tea, ‘teapot’ or ‘tea bowl’ for whisking matcha is essential, so are ‘teacups’. The number of teacups would depend on what is listed in the ‘Notification’. If teapot is used, bring along a ‘tea pitcher’ for distributing tea; even if tea is evenly poured into the cups from the pot for the first brewing, it will not be easy to attain the same level of evenness in strength for subsequent brews. Pour tea into the pitcher first before serving, because the teacups would have been offered to different fellow tea drinkers – if we pour tea directly from the teapot into individual teacups, the tea infusion served first will be weaker than that served later; and , going back and forth to ensure even strength is too much of a hassle. A ‘tea serving tray’ will come in handy for serving tea from the tea pitcher or tea bowl (in the case of whisking matcha).

For convenience’s sake, put the right amount of tealeaves into the teapot beforehand, if you prepare to use one. This saves the trouble of bringing along the ‘tea caddy’. However, if matcha is to be served, the ‘tea caddy’ is a must, so are the ‘tea scoop’ for scooping out the tea powder and ‘tea whisk’ for whipping up the matcha.

Hot water is a must for both brewed and whisked teas. Bring along a thermal flask with boiled water of the required temperature. As duration for brewing is crucial, a ‘timer’ with seconds display or a watch is essential to help keep track of time. A ‘tea towel’ will help catch any drip in the course of tea brewing or serving; and it can be used to wipe the used cups when we are packing after the tea gathering.

Lay a piece of ‘tea brewing cloth’ on the floor (or on the table, if applicable). Place the tea ware on the cloth. Make sure there is enough space at the outer edge for the others to offer tea to you. You may use either the cloth for wrapping the tea ware or a dedicated ‘pot wrapping cloth’ for this purpose.

Put the tea ware into your ‘carrying bag’, and you are ready to attend the Sans Self Tea Gathering.

55. Some practical tips about the ‘Tea Ware’ for Sans Self Tea Gathering

There should be a strainer at the base of the teapot’s spout to prevent tealeaves from blocking the flow of tea. The mesh should be very fine to catch even the very tiny residue. Otherwise, residue with some tea infusion may be left at the bottom of the teacups, affecting not just the water temperature, but making it difficult to wipe dry the teacups afterwards. A ‘strainer’ incorporated at the opening of the tea pitcher could complement the straining function of the teapot. Tea pitchers are used to distribute tea infusion into individual teacups. It is important that these pitchers have ‘anti-dripping’ design; otherwise, tea infusion may spill and wet the brewing area of fellow participants. (If a rug is used at the brewing area, quickly use the tea towel or tissue paper to absorb the tea infusion to avoid leaving any stain which could be hard to remove)

The size of the teapots and tea pitchers should be considered in relation to the number of cups. Avoid using teacups with a capacity of more than 50cc. Tea infusion should only fill 4/5 of the cups because each participant will be served a few rounds. Large teacups would require large teapots/tea pitchers as well as water flasks, which could be inconvenient when being carried around. Use weightier teacups. Do not use delicate teacups such as the eggshell porcelain for outdoor tea gatherings to avoid spillage in a sudden draft. Fluted-shape teacups with small base are not advisable, as they may spill with a quick gust of air or being carried around on the tray

The serving tray should be just big enough for the cups. Also, avoid trays with very slippery surface to eliminate the risk of spillage when the cups are being carried around.

56. How is the best way for tea ware to travel?

Each item for the Sans Self Tea Gathering has to be packed in a damage-free manner. Teapots, tea pitchers or tea bowls could be wrapped carefully with a ‘wrapping cloth’. Tea cups, be they stacked on top of each other, bundled up or ‘hooked’ onto the teapot and be wrapped together, must have ‘cup covers’ for extra protection; otherwise, they may be damaged by pressure. The thermal flask must be positioned upright and wobble-free, and not knocking against other tea ware in the carrying bag.

Organize the carrying bag into a few parts: one for the thermal flask; one for major tea ware such as teapot, tea pitcher and teacups; one for the tea serving tray, tea towel and timer; one for the seating mat; and one for personal items such as camera. This way, packing will be a lot easier. If possible, use a shoulder bag for ease of movement and flexibility.

When tea ware has to be transported in your checked-in baggage for an overseas Sans Self Tea Gathering, protect each item with personal clothing in a hard-case luggage. If in doubt, bring them along in your hand luggage.

57. Things to note about the protective/wrapping materials for the tea ware

Apart from safety, protective/wrapping materials for the tea ware must also be considered in terms of hygiene, odour and appearance. ‘Hygiene’ means that the materials and printing on it must be pollution-free and easy to wash. Materials with ‘odour’ will stay on the tea ware or be absorbed by the tealeaves; hence, it is important to choose odour-free materials. ‘Appearance’ refers to the fact that the wrapping and unwrapping of the tea ware is a part of the ‘tea-brewing’ experience – ease of use and visual appeal will affect the mood of the participants. You may use the original commercial packaging or towels at home. While these will save you the worries about hygiene and odour, they may not be stylistically refined enough.

58. Which ‘tea’ should I bring?

This would cover the type and grade of tealeaves. ‘The type’ would depend on what is stated in the ‘Notification’ issued by the organizer; but the principle is to welcome ‘all types of tea’ or teas in a broad category. ‘The grade‘would be largely a personal choice, as long as it does not have an unpleasant smell or taste, and is not something you don’t like, because it would go against the aspiration of Sans Self Tea Gathering to encourage us to ‘accept and appreciate teas of all kinds’.

On what occasions would the organizer require a specific category of tea be used? For example, if a Sans Self Tea Gathering is planned for early spring to remind us of the arrival of the season, the Notification may make it clear that green tea is preferred; however, there will not be any restriction on the types. As for a memorial tea gathering, the organizer may request participants to bring along a certain type of tea because of its relationship with the person to be honoured.

59. How should be ‘tea’ be carried? (When should we put tealeaves into the teapot?)

With the exception of ‘powdered tea’, tealeaves can be added into the teapot before leaving home. In the spirit of ‘simplicity and frugality’ of the Sans Self Tea Gathering, there is no need to bring along the tea caddy. Some of us may be worried about the quality of the tealeaves transported this way. Fret not. This is acceptable on the day itself, provided that the teapot is dry and there is no distinct odour or off-smell in the carrying bag. For tea gathering to take place the following day, get ready a tea caddy and leave it in the luggage. Put tealeaves into the teapot right before you leave for the tea gathering the next day.

Powdered tea has to be whisked in the tea bowls, and there is no way it can be placed in the bowls and be carried to the venue. It is, therefore, necessary to bring along a separate powdered tea container.

60. How to prepare the tea ware if two types of tea are to be brewed?

In the spirit of ‘simplicity and frugality’ advocated by the Sans Self Tea Gathering, we will not think along the line of ‘discarding the residue > rinse > and then put in another type of tealeaves’ when the organizer requests two teas be brewed. Instead, prepare an extra teapot, and pack another tea separately. The same set of teacups will be used.

Normally, such requests would be made for a gathering that lasts longer, or at a venue that is conducive for staying longer, or of long missed friends. There may be an intermission, or some other activities in between for the first and second situations mentioned above.

61. Preparing water for brewing and the choice of thermal flask

One of the rules of a Sans Self Tea Gathering is ‘to be self-equipped without expecting anything from the organizer’. As such, each participant will have to bring along water for brewing. Given the improved temperature retention technology nowadays, the slight temperature drop in the flask will not affect the brew. However, if the water is kept in the flask longer than half a day, it is necessary to add hot water. The best time and place to do so is during meal break at the eatery you dine in.

Decide water temperature according to the type of tea you are going to brew. Make it 3°C to 5°C higher than required to provision for temperature drop on the way. Furthermore, the basic way of brewing adopted by the Sans Self Tea Gathering requires no pot warming. Use hot water to rinse the thermal flask before adding hot water to it will help eliminate heat loss. If the outside of the flask feels hot after hot water is poured in, insulation is inefficient and it is time to change the flask.

Opt for travel-size instead of household flasks. The size of thermal flask would depend on the number of cups to be served and rounds of brewing. Choose flasks made of impact-resistant and unbreakable materials, and look for one-push open button design – not only is this more convenient than the stopper type for pouring water out, you will not end up having a big splash in case the flask topples.

62. Sitting posture at a Sans Self Tea Gathering

Unless in the rare occasion where chairs and tables are made available, Sans Self Tea Gathering are normally held with participants sitting and brewing on the floor. How then should participants sit? One can sit with parallel legs and bent knees (as in kneeling), with crossed legs and bent legs, or in a half-lotus position. We encourage kneel-sitting because it is more elegant and makes it easier for the participants to rise and serve tea. However, it would need a bit of practising for the inexperienced. Try gradually lengthen the time as you practise. Meanwhile, small collapsible chairs are allowed for participants with knee problem which do not allow them to sit on the floor.

Floor seating encourages closer interaction apart from the fact that there are no chairs and tables blocking the way. This goes with family members brewing tea together. What’s more, sitting on the floor allows you to feel the earth beneath you, giving rise to the feeling of harmony between man and land.

63. Some practical tips about the seating mat

Seating mats are essential since Sans Self Tea Gathering supports the idea of floor seating. In an outdoor setting, there will be small stones on the ground, so it is good to have the seating mat made of stretchable and durable materials; loose, spongy ones are not suitable.

Considering that Sans Self Tea Gatherings are organized in different locations, it is best to use tea ware that travels well. By the same token, seating mat has to be easy to carry. Consider seating mats that can be folded. A simple DIY version goes like this: Get a piece of dense sponge. Make a fabric cover slightly larger than the sponge and sew to divide it into four compartments. Cut the sponge into four squares of equal size. Insert a cut piece of sponge into a compartment and sew up. This way, you will have a seating mat that can be folded one-fourth of the size it opens up. Make sure the mat, when opens up, is large enough for you to be seated. If you are going to kneel-sit, the length of the mat should be slightly more than the distance between your knee and toes when seated. The width should be slightly more than that of the body when seated.

64. What should we bring along in addition, if it rains before the tea gathering or the ground is sandy/muddy?

Bring along a lightweight, water-proof cloth if the ground is wet or muddy. Lay it on the ground and put the seating mat and tea ware on top of it. This should take away the worries.

Why lightweight cloth, you may ask? We don’t suggest using plastic sheets because they are mostly lacking in visual appeal and are too slippery to stay in place, unless you can find some nice ones with a ‘cloth’ feel. By comparison, water-proof fabric looks more appealing. Lightweight material is easy to bring along and clean afterwards. This cloth should cover the area of the seating mat and brewing area; and yet, it should not be so big that it exceeds the area allocated by the organizer and may cause a slip or trip.

65. Attire and shoes for Sans Self Tea Gathering

This would depend on the occasion – formal gatherings require proper attire; for occasions among friends, casual clothing is fine. Whichever the case, the clothes you wear must allow you to be seated and brew tea with ease. Neckties and accessories such as long necklaces should be secured in place to avoid it finding its way into the tea infusion or hitting the tea ware.

Should the venue require participants to remove their shoes throughout the event, pay attention to the colour and thickness of the socks/stockings – a pair of very transparent silk stocking would create the impression of one being bare-footed.

For venue that does not require participants to take off their shoes throughout the event, choose shoes that can be ‘put on’ and ‘taken off’ easily. It will be inconvenient, not to say unbecoming, if you have to tie or untie your shoelaces or pulling your shoes strenuously on or off each time you get back to your seat or rise to offer tea.

66. What kind of preparation is required for a tea gathering that calls for tea time snacks?

If tea time snacks are to be shared during the tea gathering, participants have to prepare both the snacks and serving utensils. As the name suggests, these snacks are to be taken with tea. A small quantity will serve the purpose, since each participant will get to enjoy snacks brought along by several fellow participants. The flavour of these snacks should harmonize with that of the tea – avoid snacks that are too strong, too salty, too spicy or too sour in taste. Equally inappropriate will be snacks containing parts that require us to spit out at the end or those that are too chewy, as these will cause inconvenience and create anxiety. Bring along snacks that are easy to handle, preferably individually packed.

The number of servings should match that of cups to be served. For example, the Notification specifies four cups are to be served, then bring along four servings of snack. If the participants are expected to offer tea to onlookers, the Notification will specify the amount of extra snacks required.

We should also prepare utensils for serving snacks. Bring along two small dishes; alternatively, use two pieces of paper towel. One of these should be placed on the tea serving tray for the snacks you’ve brought along; the other at an appropriate spot at the tea brewing area for others to offer snacks to you. Remember to pack equipment such as bamboo knife, if required.

67. Example of tea brewing at a Sans Self Tea Gathering: Small teapot brewing

As mentioned, Sans Self Tea Gathering encourages the use of travel tea ware for fuss-free tea brewing. There is, however, no restriction on the style and brewing method. The ‘small pot’ brewing which we are going to talk about and the ‘lidded-cup’ brewing and ‘powdered tea’ brewing which we will discuss later are but for reference only.

Take your seat, and lay the seating mat on the floor. Stand behind the rear end of the mat, take off your shoes, and sit on the mat. Place the carrying bag on your right. If the ground is wet or too sandy/muddy, lay the cloth liner first before laying your seating mat, aligning the rear end of both. If there is no cloth liner, shift your seat slightly to avoid the inconvenient surface, provided this does not affect the order and the overall arrangement of the seats.

Place the tea serving tray in front of the seating mat. Leave some space between the tray and the seating mat as the tea brewing area. Take out the tea ware. Say you have bundled two teacups with the teapot together, and the other two teacups with the tea pitcher (in the event that each participant is to bring along four teacups). Take out the bundle with teapot first, unwrap and place the teacups and teapot on the tea serving tray. Put the wrapping cloth and cup covers back in the bag. Then, take out the bundle with the pitcher, unwrap, and lay the wrapping cloth (which doubles up as tea cloth) between the seating mat and tea serving tray. Remove the teapot from the tray and put it on the tea cloth, then put the two cups from the second bundle on the tray. Arrange the four cups properly, and make sure the teapot and tea pitcher are at the centre of the tea cloth.

Leave some space at the front end of the tea cloth for others to place their cups when they offer tea to you. Leave some space at the rear end of the tea cloth as well, to accommodate the tea towel and timer (tea towel could be replaced by paper towel, and timer could be replaced by your watch). For special reasons such as space constraint or children participate in brewing, the tea serving tray could be positioned to the right of the tea cloth to make the tray more accessible. Shift the tea cloth a bit to the left.

Take out the tea towel and timer. Place them behind the teapot and tea pitcher. The thermal flask should be placed to the left of the tea cloth (In general, participant will use their right hand to hold the teapot, and pour the water using their left hand).

According to standard procedure, tealeaves would have been put into the teapot. When it is the scheduled time for brewing, pour an appropriate amount of hot water from the flask into the teapot, and then sit quietly while tracking the time. Don’t be distracted; have your mind settled down and track your time by simply counting your breath. When it is about time, check your timer to ascertain timing and pour all the tea infusion into the tea pitcher. Then, pour tea from the pitcher into the teacups. Hold the tea serving tray with both hands and rise to offer tea. Leave the last cup of tea on your tray and return to your seat. Place the cup on your tea cloth.

When everyone has finished the first cup, you may start brewing a second time. Follow the same routine – track the time, sit down quietly and pour the tea into the cups. This time, put the pitcher and tea towel on the tea serving tray. Hold the tea serving tray with both hands and rise to offer tea. Pour tea from the pitcher into the cups you have already offered; use the tea towel to catch any drip. Return to your seat and pour a cup for yourself.

When it is time for packing, wipe the cups you have drunk from with the tea towel. Bring along the tea serving tray and collect the cups you have served others. Return to your seat and place your cup onto the tray as well.

Screw back the cover of the flask (during the gathering, it is not necessary to do so each time after you have poured hot water; just close the inner opening will do), put it back into the carrying bag, and then put back the tea towel and timer. Put two of the cups onto the tea cloth, and move the teapot to the tray. Take out two cup covers from the bag and put them on the two cups. Use the tea cloth (which doubles up as a wrapping cloth) to wrap the tea pitcher and the two covered cups into a bundle, and put this back in the bag. Take out the other wrapping cloth and the remaining cup covers. Pack the teacups and teapot carefully and put them back into the bag. Put back the tea tray. Finish by folding the seating mat and cloth liner and put them back.

68. Example of tea brewing at a Sans Self Tea Gathering: Lidded cup brewing

You may want to brew with a lidded cup. In this case, you would have packed the lidded cup, the tea pitcher and cups into three separate bundles (some may want to wrap equal number of cups separately with the lidded cup and pitcher, making two bundles). Begin by laying the seating mat. Put the tea serving tray in place, and take out the bundle of ‘cups’. Unwrap and put them on the tray, two in a stack; keep some space free on the tray. Then, take out the ‘tea pitcher’ and unwrap, leaving it temporarily on the tray. Finally, take out the ‘lidded cup’. Unwrap and lay the wrapping cloth on the floor as the tea cloth. Move the tea pitcher to the centre of the tea cloth, side by side with the lidded cup. Leave some space at the front end of the tea cloth for others to place their cups when they offer tea to you. Meanwhile, place the tea towel and timer at the rear end of the tea cloth.

Tealeaves would have been added to the lidded cup beforehand. Brew tea by pouring in hot water. Track the time for the desired strength. Take up the lidded cup and pour all the tea infusion into the tea pitcher. Then, pour tea from the pitcher into the teacups. Offer tea with the tea serving tray. From the second brewing onwards, offer tea with pitcher on the tray, and pour tea into the cups you have already offered.

At the end of the gathering, pack tea ware individually. Put them back into the carrying bag in the reverse order.

69. Example of tea brewing at a Sans Self Tea Gathering: Powdered Tea Brewing (and Drinking)

For powdered tea to be served as the Sans Self Tea Gathering, follow the ‘Whisked Powdered Tea for Small Cups’ format. Powdered tea is whisked in the tea bowl before being poured into small cups to be served. As far as preparation concerned, wrap teacups and tea bowl into the first bundle, the tea caddy of powdered tea the second, and the tea scoop and tea whisk the third. Follow the standard procedure to lay the seating mat and tea serving tray. Take out the second and then the third bundles, unwrap and put the tea caddy of powered tea, tea scoop and tea whisk on the tray. Take out the first bundle, use the wrapping cloth as tea cloth and lay it on the floor. Place the tea bowl at the centre of the tea cloth, the tea caddy to its left, and the tea scoop and tea whisk to its right. The tea cups should be placed on the tray.

Add an appropriate amount of powdered tea to the tea bowl, add water and whisk. Hold the bowl and pour it into the cups (use a ‘spouted tea bowl’, i.e., a tea bowl with a serving spout). Offer tea to others with the teacups on the tray. From the second brewing onwards, whisk the tea and bring over the tea bowl for serving.

When it is time for packing, pour some hot water into the tea bowl. Swirl the water around for a while and then pour it into your own cup; this will help dislodge the tea powder residue in the cup. Take this as a ‘parting drink’ and finish it in one if not two cups. Fellow tea drinkers may do the same – pour some hot water into the cup with powdered tea residue, swirl and drink before wiping the cup.

70. There is no pot warming or cup warming in the description of the methods above. Why?

As the simple approach of a Sans Self Tea Gathering goes, the steps of putting in tealeaves, appreciating the appearance, taking in the aroma and warming the cups and others have been eliminated. Tealeaves are to be put into the teapot before leaving home.

Appreciating the appearance and taking in the aroma of the tealeaves would help tea brewers decide the brewing methods. Should the guests be invited to do the same, it will complicate the procedure on the one hand, and disturb brewers from making correct judgement on the other. One of the principles observed by a Sans Self Tea Gathering is “making an effort to brew well”. Tea brewers need to have thorough understanding of the tealeaves before brewing. They will judge the amount to be used by appreciating the appearance of the tealeaves. Meanwhile, brewing time becomes extremely important after two to three brewings, and one way to ensure sound judgement is by taking in the aroma. Pot warming helps prevent teapot from drawing too much heat from the water. To compensate for the omission of pot warming, just increase the water temperature when you are preparing the water, or slightly extend the duration of brewing. Cup warming helps prevent tea infusion from cooling too fast. Considering the relatively short distance between participants, and the duration from the time tea is offered to the time it is consumed, the tea infusion would not have cooled significantly. As such, this step can be eliminated.

71. Lighting requirement for an evening Sans Self Tea Gathering

An evening Sans Self Tea Gathering reminds participants just how beautiful a night it is. Participants would have to bring along their own lighting device, which would have to comply with the following requirements:

a. It must be easy to carry, safe and hassle-free. If the outing involves a flight journey, check if the fuel is allowed to be checked-in.

b. Bring along, or create your own lighting equipment. This will add colour and diversity to a wonderful evening event.

c. Pay attention to wind-proof design that keeps it out of draughts – this is important especially with candle or oil lamps.

d. Choose light that shines downwards. Make sure it lights up the tea ware, especially the tip of the spout to ensure you can see clearly the height of the stream of water being poured into the teapot. Do not rely on hand-held lighting device (such as a torch); this may accidently points at the others when you put it down on the floor.

e. The lighting should last for an hour and a half, and above. Light up your area from the time of preparation – do not wait until you begin brewing. This is to make sure the ‘tea ware appreciation and networking’ session is bright enough for the participants. For battery-operated device, bring a spare set for replacement.

72. What is to be achieved with a Sans Self Tea Gathering?

A Sans Self Tea Gathering enables participants to embrace the spirit of the Way of Tea, including an absence of hierarchy, no expectation of reciprocity, setting aside of personal preferences, and an effort to improve and progress. There are no facilitators or event directors, and silence is observed throughout the gathering to reveal the beauty of collective rhythm. The aim of the tea gathering is achieved if the above has been fulfilled.

Making new friends during the pre-event ‘tea ware appreciation and networking’ session or other post-event activities, and catching up with old friends at the gathering could be considered added values of Sans Self Tea Gathering.

Some participants may find it too much of a hassle to travel this far with tea ware on tow for just a few rounds of tea. There may even be a sense of loss if the gathering fails to bring out the characteristics of Sans Self Tea Gathering.

To enrich the experience, one may include post-event activities such as talk, music performance or hiking.

73. How to enjoy Sans Self Tea Gathering in a relaxed manner?

Avoid focusing too much on socializing, and make sure you prepare yourself well, as follows:

a. Familiarize yourself with the rules of Sans Self Tea Gathering. This way, you will not make mistakes that may spoil your mood.

b. Prepare all the necessary items and make sure they work properly. Avoid poorly-designed tea pitcher that drips, teapots with insufficient straining capacity, and seating mats that are too soft to cushion you comfortably against small stones – these will stop you from fully enjoying the experience.

c. Practice brewing beforehand. Know how much water is needed for a certain number of cups, the required water temperature, and the way to brew a perfect cup. It will be too late to apologize if what you offer is far from being perfect.

d. Find a way to sit comfortably on the floor, and get used to it. This requires practice, whichever you are going to sit – numbness and pain will take away the pleasure you should be feeling at a Sans Self Tea Gathering.

74. Choose tea ware that travels well for Sans Self Tea Gathering.

Get yourself a dedicated set of ‘Sans Self Tea Gathering Tea Ware’ – this not only comes in handy, but also doubles up as a travel set.

It could be further simplified to ‘a pot, two cups and a flask’ if you are travelling alone. Put the covers on the teacups and hook them onto the spout and handle of the teapot. Wrap them with a wrapping cloth into a bundle. Bring along a travel-size flask of hot water.

When you are on the plane, on the train or visiting a friend, simply unwrap the bundle and lay the wrapping cloth on the table as tea cloth. Place the teapot at the centre, and the two cups in front of the pot, side by side. Tealeaves would have been added to the teapot before you leave home, so just pour water from the flask, track the time (with the timer, your watch, the wall clock or by mental counting). When the appropriate strength is attained, pour all the tea infusion into the cups by going back and forth (The amount of water must be correct to ensure all the tea infusion is emptied. By going back and forth, the strength of tea will be even between the two cups). When you are enjoying the tea alone, take the first cup followed by the second cup. When you are on a visit, offer a cup to your friend. When you are on the plane on the train sitting next to a stranger, offer a cup to him/her. Three rounds afterwards, you may pack your tea ware and continue with the journey. When you are back at the hotel, clean and leave the pot, cups, cup covers and wrapping cloth to dry. The following day, you may add some tealeaves to the teapot, and with ‘a pot, two cups and a flask’, set off for another satisfying day accompanied by tea.

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第六章與會者事前的準備-蔡荣章

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《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

ISBN978-957-9690-08-9 ，“无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering180,”， First edition: 1999.9, Second edition: 2010.9。《无我茶会180条》，1999.9第一版，2010.9第二版，台北陆羽茶艺股份有限公司，2012.05.20修订版。

第六章 與會者事前的準備

53.無我茶會茶具「精儉」的要求

無我茶會不僅行政工作要力求簡便，個人攜帶的茶具也要簡便，是以「旅行用茶具」作為準備的原則，因為簡便才不至於把很多時間花在茶具的準備、操作與收拾上，才有多餘的時間可以體會、享受茶會的氣氛與意境。

無我茶會還要求不帶珍貴的茶具，雖然珍貴的茶具在「茶具觀摩與聯誼」的時候會造成熱烈的迴響，但也容易引起比較，出發前就思量著應帶什麼茶具才能夠在會上奪得異彩。攜帶珍貴的茶具，一路上也會提心吊膽，失掉了許多參加茶會的樂趣。再說，簡便也是吾人處世很好的一種態度，包括對名、對利、對物，以及方法與手段。

上述所說的「珍貴」，是指一般人的衡量標準，如果使用者對該件茶具已習以為常，攜帶上、使用上都不會造成得失上的太大負擔，我們可以將之排除在“不宜攜帶”的範圍。

54.無我茶會的基本道具

無我茶會若是席地而坐，應該準備一塊「坐墊」。無我茶會是人人泡茶，所以要有泡茶的「壺」，或打末茶的「碗」。無我茶會是人人奉茶，所以要有「杯子」，杯子的數量依「公告事項」所定。如果用壺泡茶，還要有容納茶湯的「茶盅」，以便將茶分倒入杯；因為即使第一道可用平均分茶法直接將茶倒入杯中，但第二道以後呢？必須將泡好的茶全部倒入盅內，然後端茶盅出去奉茶。因為你的杯子是分散在客人那邊，如果直接以壺出去倒茶，先倒的必淡，後倒的必濃，要來回倒以求濃度平均是不方便的。為了端杯或端茶盅、茶碗（打末茶時）出去奉茶，需要一個「奉茶盤」。

為了簡便，以壺泡茶時，可以在出門前將準備沖泡的茶葉放入壺內，這樣就不必另行攜帶放茶葉的「茶罐」；但如果是打末茶，就必須準備裝有末茶的茶罐。打末茶時，還要有舀末茶的「茶杓」及打末茶的「茶筅」。

不論泡茶或打「末茶」，都必須有熱水，所以必須配備熱水瓶，裝妥所需溫度的熱水。泡茶需要控制茶葉浸泡的時間，所以攜帶一只讀秒的「計時器」，或以手錶代替。泡茶、奉茶時，難免有茶水滴落，有條「茶巾」比較方便，這條茶巾還可以在收拾茶具之前用來擦拭自已用過的杯子。

泡茶時（包括打末茶），應該有條「泡茶巾」鋪在地上（桌上泡茶時則鋪在桌上），上面放置茶具，其外緣還要留出空間作為別人奉茶給自己的地方。這條泡茶巾可以用包裹茶具的「包壺巾」代替，也可以另行準備。

以上這些茶具用「茶具袋」裝著，就可以參加無我茶會了。

55.無我茶會的「茶具」應注意哪些使用上的功能

泡茶用的茶壺，其出水孔要有濾網，免得被茶葉堵塞而出水不良。濾網要細，否則茶湯中細渣太多，喝茶的人無法將茶湯喝光，每次留一些在杯內，不但影響下一道的水溫，最後擦拭杯子時也不方便。在茶盅的盅口加一個「濾網」可以彌補茶壺濾渣功能的不足。茶盅最主要的功能是分茶入杯，盅嘴要能「斷水」，否則倒茶時會有茶水滴落到外面來，出去奉茶時會把別人的泡茶區弄濕。（如果在地毯上泡茶，應立即以茶巾或紙巾將茶湯儘量吸乾，否則染上茶色後不容易去除。）

壺、盅的大小應配合杯數的需要，無我茶會使用的杯子不要超過50cc，所倒茶湯也以八分滿為限，因為往往要喝數位朋友的數道茶。杯子太大，壺盅也要大，保溫瓶也要大，都導致茶具攜帶上的不便。杯子最好厚重一些，薄胎的杯子，在戶外使用，一遇風大，容易被吹倒。底部細小的盞形杯也不適宜，不但風吹易倒，奉茶走動時也容易傾倒。

奉茶盤不要太大，放得下奉茶的杯子即可。奉茶盤的表面不要太光滑，否則起身奉茶，杯子容易滑動。

56.如何攜帶茶具才好

無我茶會的茶具必須有攜帶上防破損的包裝。壺、盅或碗可用「包壺巾」包紮，杯子不論是疊在一起包成一包，還是扣在壺身上包成一包，都要有「杯套」將杯子保護好，否則直接接觸擠壓容易破損。保溫瓶放置的地方要能固定，避免撞擊茶具。

裝茶具的袋子規劃成數個區域，例如一個區域放熱水瓶，一個區域放壺、盅、杯等主茶具，一個區域放奉茶盤、茶巾、計時器等物品，一個區域放坐墊，一個區域放相機等個人物品。如此在擺設茶具、收拾茶具時才不致亂成一團。茶具袋若能背在身上，行動起來較為方便。

出國或遠地參加無我茶會，若將茶具作為托運行李，除行李箱要硬殼外，每件茶具還要以衣物加強保護，且避免在箱內碰撞。若沒有把握，最好作為隨身行李攜帶。

57.保護茶具的包裝器材有何應留意的地方

無我茶會茶具的包裝器材除安全性外應注意衛生、無味與美觀。「衛生」包括材料、印刷的無污染與便於清洗。包材若有「氣味」會附著於茶具或被茶葉吸收。包材還得要求「美觀」，因為它與茶具為伍，解開與打包的過程都是「泡茶」的一部分，順利、美好與否都影響到參加者的心情。繼續使用商店的包裝材料，或用家裡的毛巾、餐巾來包裹，雖然衛生、氣味可能無慮，但操作過程難免顯得粗糙。

58.帶什麼「茶」才好

這個問題包括帶何種茶與什麼等級的茶。「帶何種茶」要看主辦單位在「公告事項」上怎麼約定，原則是「種類不拘」或哪一大類的茶。至於「帶什麼等級的茶」，不必特意去買什麼等級的茶，但有異味的茶、自己不喜歡的茶是不可以帶去參加無我茶會的，因為那已經不是「無好惡之心」所訴求的範圍。

什麼情況主辦單位才會指定帶特種茶類呢？如這次無我茶會在「早春」召開，茶會的目的又在提醒人們注意春天的到來，公告事項上可能會要求大家都帶綠茶來，當然何種綠茶就不能再設限了。另一種狀況是為追念某人的無我茶會，此人與某種茶有特殊的緣分，於是主辦單位要大家都帶那種茶。

59.「茶」如何攜帶（什麼時候將茶放入壺內攜帶才好）

除非是沖泡「粉末茶」，否則可以在出門前將茶放入壺內，無需另行攜帶一罐茶葉，因為無我茶會要求「精儉」。有人擔心這樣做會不會影響茶葉的品質？如果茶會就在當天進行，而且壺是乾燥的，茶具袋內又沒有其他氣味，茶葉放在壺內是無妨的；若茶會是在隔天以後舉行，那就準備一罐茶葉放在行李箱內，出門參加茶會前才將茶葉放入壺內。

粉末茶一般都在碗內調打而成，而且無法事先放置碗內，所以只得另備容器攜帶。

60.泡兩種茶葉時，茶具如何準備

由於無我茶會講求精儉，所以當主辦單位要求泡兩種茶時，我們不會往「去渣、清洗、再放第二種茶」的方向思考，而是在準備茶具時多準備一把壺，裝另外一種茶，單獨包成一包，茶杯只用一套，不做更換。

從事此「泡兩種茶」的規劃，一定是主辦單位認為要在會場上停留較長的時間，或許是環境適合較長時間的逗留，或因闊別多年的老友相聚。第一種茶與第二種茶中間大概會安排一段休息或其他活動。

61.泡茶用水的準備及對保溫瓶的要求

無我茶會有一條規則，即是「萬事自備，不求主辦單位為你做些什麼。」所以泡茶用水也是自己準備妥帶去。現在旅行用保溫瓶製作得不錯，半天內水溫降得不多，不會影響泡茶效果，但如果超過半天，就要考慮途中有什麼地方可以加水，半天總會遇到吃飯時間，可以利用這個機會裝水。

裝入保溫瓶的水溫要依泡什麼茶而定，而且比所需要的高3 ~5°C左右，因為途中會降一點，而且無我茶會的簡便泡茶法是不溫壺的。將保溫瓶先用熱水涮過再裝，可減少保溫瓶本身吸掉的熱量。若裝入熱水後，發覺保溫瓶外表熱熱的，表示保溫瓶的隔熱效果出了問題，應更換一支使用。

保溫瓶以旅行用的形式為宜，家庭用的大隻保溫瓶不方便。旅行用保溫瓶的大小視該次茶會泡幾杯茶、泡幾道茶、將用掉多少熱水而定。保溫瓶以摔倒不破的材質為佳，倒水時不必拔掉整個瓶塞，只按一下蓋鈕者更佳，因為這種型式的保溫瓶，泡茶時較方便，萬一傾倒時也不至於讓熱水大量潑出。

62.無我茶會就坐方式的探討

無我茶會除特殊情況使用桌椅泡茶外，最方便的是大家席地而坐、席地泡茶。若是席地而坐，用何種坐姿呢？跪坐、盤坐、單盤坐，都可以，但我們鼓勵跪坐，因為這種坐法比較美觀，而且起身奉茶比較方便，只是未曾習慣的人必須預作練習，逐次增加跪坐的時間。如果因為膝蓋不好無法席地而坐，備把小摺椅是被允許的。

無我茶會鼓勵席地而坐，除了方便外，沒有桌椅的阻擋，人與人間更加親密，即使家人一起泡茶，也是同樣道理。席地而坐還可以體會人與大地結合的感覺。

63.坐墊的功能要求

由於無我茶會鼓勵席地而坐，所以坐墊成了必備之物。室外地面常會有小石子，所以坐墊的質地要具彈性又要堅韌，太鬆軟的海綿不適宜。

無我茶會經常外出舉辦，所以使用旅行用茶具，坐墊也要考慮可以摺疊者。將堅韌的海綿墊裁成四塊，裝在縫成四方組合的布套內，就成了可以摺成四摺的坐墊。攤開後的面積，要足夠讓您坐下，如果是採取跪坐的方式，其長度要稍大於跪坐後膝蓋到趾間的距離，寬度要微大於坐下後身體的寬度。

64.茶會前下過雨，或擔心坐在泥地上，應增加什麼配備

地面潮濕，或會場上有泥土地，這時若有一條防潮的薄布鋪在地上，上面再放置坐墊與茶具，就沒有任何煩惱了。

為什麼強調“薄布”，因為若用塑膠布，除非製作得像布料的質感，否則不好看，而且容易滑動。經防潮處理的布料看來較美觀，薄一點容易攜帶與清洗。這塊墊布的面積要能涵蓋坐墊與自己泡茶的地方，但也不能太大，免得佔用的面積超過了主辦單位的規劃，也避免別人走動時踏到或絆著了。

65.無我茶會的服裝與鞋子

參加無我茶會的穿着要配合茶會的性質，若正式的茶會，穿著正式一點的服裝，若一些好友相聚，輕鬆一點無妨。但不論正式與否，方便「就坐」與「泡茶」都是要考慮的，胸前的領帶與飾物要固定在衣服上，免得泡茶、奉茶時撞擊到茶具或浸泡到茶湯。

如果茶會在必須全程脫鞋子的地方舉行，要注意襪子的顏色與厚薄，透明度太強的絲襪，看來會像赤腳的樣子。

不需全程脫鞋子的地方，鞋子也要挑選「穿」、「脫」方便的款式，否則脫鞋坐上坐墊、穿鞋出去奉茶，每次都得鬆綁鞋帶或以手拉扯鞋子，不方便又不雅觀。

66.茶會間安排有茶食享用時，如何準備

茶會間若安排有茶食享用，參加者就必須準備茶食與供應的設備。所謂茶食是指喝茶間搭配的小點心，份量不要多，因為每人都要享用數位茶友帶來的茶食。味道不要太強，太鹹、太辣、太酸，皆與茶味不和諧。不要吃了尚需吐渣的食品，也不要不易咀嚼的食物，這些皆為茶友帶來困擾。為攜帶與拿取的方便，最好每份茶食皆有獨立的包裝。

攜帶多少份數呢？相同於泡茶的杯數，公告事項上寫明帶四杯，就帶四份茶食。若此次茶會尚奉茶給圍觀的來賓，則依公告事項的約定攜帶額外的茶食。

除茶食外，尚需準備放置茶食的器皿。可帶二個小盤子，但為求簡便，可用二張餐巾紙代替，一張放在奉茶盤上放茶食，一張放在泡茶區適當的地方供別人放茶食。若供應的茶食尚需竹刀之類的器物，可另行準備。

67.無我茶會泡茶法舉例之一：小壺茶

無我茶會是攜帶旅行用茶具，以簡便泡茶法泡茶，但茶具的形式與泡法不拘。現在提到的「小壺茶法」與後面提到的「蓋碗茶法」與「末茶法」僅供參考而已。

找到自己的座位後，先將坐墊攤開鋪妥，站在坐墊的後方，將鞋子脫下，坐在坐墊上，茶具袋放在身體的右側。若地上潮濕或泥沙太多，而且帶有墊布，則先鋪上墊布，再對齊墊布的後緣放置坐墊。若未攜帶墊布，在不影響座位秩序下，稍微挪一下位子，以避開不便的地面是被允許的。

取出奉茶盤，放在坐墊的前方，奉茶盤與坐墊間空出個「泡茶區」。取出茶具，若您的包法是二杯與壺包成一包，另二杯與盅包成一包（假設約定泡四杯），則先取出壺的那一包，打開後將杯子與壺移放奉茶盤上，收起包壺巾與杯套；再取出“盅”的那一包，打開包壺巾後就鋪在坐墊與奉茶盤間作為泡茶巾使用。將奉茶盤上的壺拿回泡茶巾上，將新取出的二個杯子放上奉茶盤，將四個杯子在奉茶盤上排妥，將壺與盅在泡茶巾的中間部位擺好。泡茶巾的前端留出空間，作為別人前來奉茶時擺放茶杯的地方，泡茶巾的後端騰出空間，用以放置茶巾與計時器。（茶巾可用紙巾代替，計時器可用手錶代替。）若由於場地的關係或小朋友泡茶，端取奉茶盤不方便，可將奉茶盤改放到泡茶巾的右側，只要將泡茶巾稍微向左移一些即可。

拿出茶巾與計時器，放在壺、盅的下方。拿出熱水瓶，放在泡茶巾的左側。（一般習慣以左手沖水，以右手持壺。）

標準的做法是茶葉已放在壺中，到了約定泡茶的時間，打開熱水瓶，於壺內沖入適量的熱水，計時、靜坐。這時不必操心別人到底怎樣了，讓自己安靜下來，可利用呼吸的次數測定茶葉浸泡的時間，到了差不多該倒茶的時候，核對一下計時器，將茶湯全部倒入盅內。持茶盅將茶分倒入杯。雙手端起奉茶盤，起身出去奉茶，最後一杯等回座後放下奉茶盤，才端放在自己的泡茶巾上。

看大家大致喝完第一道茶，開始沖泡第二道，依舊計時、靜坐、倒茶，然後將茶盅與茶巾移放奉茶盤上，雙手端起奉茶盤出去奉茶，持茶盅將茶倒於自己奉出去的杯子內，萬一有茶水滴落，用茶巾擦乾，回座位後也為自已斟上一杯。

收茶具時，先將自己喝過的杯子用茶巾擦拭一下，端奉茶盤出去收回自己的杯子。回座位後將自己的一杯也放回奉茶盤。

將熱水瓶蓋妥（每次沖水後不必蓋上外蓋，只將內塞出水口關上即可），收回茶具袋內。將茶巾與計時器收妥，從奉茶盤上取下二個杯子，放到泡茶巾上，泡茶巾上的茶壺暫放到奉茶盤上，從茶具袋內取出杯套，將二杯與盅包好收回袋內。從袋內取出另一條包壺巾與杯套，將剩下的二杯與壺收好。接著收拾奉茶盤，最後起身收拾坐墊與墊布。

68.無我茶會泡茶法舉例之二：蓋碗茶

如果您是以蓋碗做為沖泡器，而且將蓋碗、茶盅、杯子分成三部分包裝（也可以將杯子分散與蓋碗、茶盅一起包裝），在鋪好坐墊，放妥奉茶盤後，先拿出「杯子」的一包，打開後將杯子放於奉茶盤上，並二個二個疊放在一起，以便留出部分奉茶盤的空間。接著拿出「茶盅」的一包，打開後將茶盅暫放到奉茶盤上。最後拿出「蓋碗」的一包，打開包壺巾後就鋪在地面上作為泡茶巾，將茶盅拿到泡茶巾上，與蓋碗在泡茶巾的中間排成一列。泡茶巾的前端依然騰出作為別人前來奉茶的地方，泡茶巾的後方放置茶巾與計時器。

茶葉是事先放在蓋碗內的，泡茶時依舊沖水、計時，浸泡到適當濃度，持蓋碗將茶湯一次倒於茶盅內，再持茶盅將茶分倒入杯，端奉茶盤出去奉茶。第二道以後則端茶盅出去，將茶倒於自己奉出去的杯子內。

泡完茶，收茶具時仍依取出時之相反次序，將之一件件收回茶具袋內。

69.無我茶會泡茶法舉例之三：粉末茶(含飲用法)

如果您準備在無我茶會時沖泡粉末茶，最好採用「末茶小杯點茶法」的方式，也就是在茶碗內將末茶打妥後，分倒於小杯內奉給茶友們喝。這時茶碗與杯子可以包成第一包，末茶罐第二包，茶杓與茶筅第三包。依前述放妥坐墊、奉茶盤，逐次拿出第二包與第三包，將末茶罐與茶杓、茶筅放於奉茶盤上。拿出第一包，將包壺巾鋪在地上作為泡茶巾，茶碗放在泡茶巾的正中央，末茶罐拿到茶碗的左側，茶杓與茶筅拿到茶碗的右側，茶杯放於奉茶盤上。

泡茶時，取適量的末茶於碗內，沖水、打茶，持茶碗將茶分倒入杯（這時的茶碗應是「有流茶碗」，也就是設計有倒嘴的茶碗），端奉茶盤出去奉茶。第二道以後，將茶打好，以奉茶盤端碗出去奉茶。

到了最後的收拾茶具，擦拭杯子前，倒些水涮一下茶碗，涮碗的水再沖一下自己喝末茶的杯子，免得碗與杯內黏附太多的末茶。沖完杯子的茶湯作為「回味湯」喝掉，一杯喝不完，喝二杯。被奉末茶的人也可以這樣做，倒一些熱水于盛末茶的杯子內涮一下，喝下茶湯後再擦拭杯子。

70.上述泡茶法舉例，為何都沒有提到溫壺、燙杯等動作

因為無我茶會是使用簡便的泡茶法，所以省略了置茶、賞茶、聞香、燙杯……等動作。置茶改在出門前就將茶葉放入壺中。賞茶、聞香除供泡茶者作為判斷茶葉沖泡法的參考資料外，不讓客人為之，一方面是因為若全面實施，過程太過繁瑣，二方面是加重「泡茶者要把茶泡好」的意念。泡茶者泡茶前應對茶有充分的瞭解，所以必須仔細觀賞，尤其對置茶量的判斷；二、三道以後對浸泡時間的掌握很重要，可利用每次沖泡前的「聞香」判斷所需浸泡的時間。溫壺的主要目的在減少壺身吸收水溫，省略後只要提高備水時的溫度或稍微延長茶葉浸泡的時間，就可以補救過來。燙杯的目的在於減少茶湯降溫的速度，但以無我茶會奉茶的距離與所需時間來看，端到客人面前，等到客人飲用時還不至於變得太冷，所以省略無妨。

71.無我茶會對「夜晚茶會燈」的要求

晚上舉辦無我茶會是要提醒人們欣賞夜色之美，每人自備一盞個人照明

用燈，這盞「夜晚茶會燈」的要求如下：

a.便於攜帶，而且安全無慮。若是搭飛機，應考慮所準備的燃料是否可以獲准上機。

b.每人自行準備，甚至自己創作，避免大家採購同一型式的燈具。

c.考慮到防風的功能，尤其是使用蠟燭與油燈的時候。

d.燈光要能朝下照射到茶具，尤其是壺口，否則看不清楚沖水的高度。不要依賴手拿著燈具照射（如使用手電筒），否則放下後，一不小心就照射到別人的臉上。

e.續燃力要在一個半小時以上，因為從備具起就要點亮，不能到了要泡茶的時候才打開，否則「茶具觀摩與聯誼」的時間太黯淡。若使用小電池，可多帶一組，以便半途更換。

72.參加無我茶會應達成多少目的

參加無我茶會的主要目的是透過茶會的進行，體會無尊卑之分、無報償之心、無好惡之心、求精進之心等的茶道精神，並享受無需指揮、靜默不語等的群體律動之美。若能專心於如此境界的把握與體認，茶會目的足矣。

若能於會前的「茶具觀摩與聯誼時間」、會後的其他活動裡認識更多的朋友、與老友敘敘舊，當是參加茶會的另一項收穫。

有些人認為老遠帶著茶具來泡這麼幾道茶不划算，若再遇上他所參加的茶會沒能將無我茶會的特質表現，更難免有失落感。

如果要使茶會更加豐富，可在茶會結束後繼續安排一些活動，如演講、音樂會、登山等。

73.如何輕鬆愉快地享受無我茶會

要能輕鬆愉快地享受無我茶會，除不要有太多社交性的目的外，還要有下列的預先準備：

a.熟知無我茶會的規則。如此才不至於發生錯誤而影響心情。

b.備妥所需的道具，而且功能完善。如果茶盅斷水功能不良，奉茶時茶湯到處滴落；濾渣功能不佳，不是茶湯倒得不順暢，就是茶湯裡的茶渣很多；坐墊堅韌度不夠，就坐時小石子刺痛了腳。這些都會讓您無法安心參與茶會。

c.熟練泡茶技藝。知道沖多少水方夠所需杯數的湯量；怎樣的溫度、如何泡法才能得出高品質的茶湯……，否則把茶泡壞了，抱歉都來不及。

d.讓自己坐得舒服。不論採取何種坐姿，都要預作練習，使自己坐立自如，否則雙腳麻痛，如何輕鬆愉快。

74.無我茶會的茶具就是「旅行用茶具」

為自己準備一套「無我茶會茶具」，不但可以參加無我茶會，也是一套「旅行用茶具」，出門旅行就可以帶著隨行。

如果只是一個人旅行，還可以將元件簡化成「一壺二杯一熱水」，二個杯子用杯套套著，倒扣在壺嘴與壺把上，用包壺巾包紮起來，熱水以小型旅行用保溫瓶裝著。

在飛機上、火車裡，或拜訪朋友時，將包壺巾打開，鋪在桌面上作為泡茶巾，壺擺在泡茶巾的中央，兩個杯子排列在壺的前面。茶葉已事先放入壺中，打開熱水瓶，沖水、計時（用計時器、手錶、現場的掛鐘或心算），適當濃度後，來回將茶湯全倒於兩個杯子內（要先知道沖多少水才可一次將茶倒光，來回倒茶的目的是使濃度平均）。一人獨飲時，先喝第一杯，再喝第二杯；拜訪客人時，一杯奉給客人；飛機上、火車裡，旁邊坐著一位陌生人，另一杯就奉給他。這樣泡個三回茶，將茶具收好，繼續前程。回旅館後，將壺、杯、杯套、包壺巾清洗晾乾，第二天出門時，再放一些茶葉入壺，「一壺二杯一熱水」放入背包，又是一天有茶為伴的日子。

(1817)

無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering-Chapter 5-Signing in, Drawing of Lots and Taking one’s Seats -蔡荣章Rong-tsang Tsai

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《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

ISBN 978-957-9690-08-9,“无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering 180” ,First edition: 1999.9, Second edition: 2010.9.《无我茶会180条》,1999.9第一版，2010.9第二版.台北陆羽茶艺股份有限公司.2012.05.20修订版.-English Translator : Katherine Yip,英语翻译：叶德明.

Chapter 5 Signing in, Drawing of Lots and Taking one’s Seats

38. Signing-in Procedure: drawing of lots, registry signing and others

The signing-in procedure includes registration, time synchronizing, drawing of lots and registry signing, and in some occasions, stamping the participants’ San-self Tea Gathering passbook.

Registration helps differentiate pre-event registrations from on-the-spot registrations, and whether a participant needs to pay. Identification tags will then be issued. If it is agreed that tea be offered to the onlooking public, the organizers will also distribute a certain number of temporary tea cups, or custom-ordered souvenir tea cups to each participant. This should be done swiftly without wasting time on any unnecessary steps.

Drawing of lots decides the place of each participant. In general, these can be small pieces of paper with a number on each. Fold each into a small square and put them in a bag. If preferred, the lots can be done in such a manner that they can become keepsake when the tea gathering is over. The participants are then required to sign in the registry for record purpose; meanwhile, as seats are determined by drawing of lots, it will be meaningful to match the signed names with respective seat numbers.

39. Shortening the drawing and signing processes in the event of a large attendance

To save time, the organizer can set up a few counters for the drawing of lots at the venue. Place some paper strips next to these drawing counters. Each participant is to sign on a paper strip and write the respective drawn number on it. Put the signed strips into a ‘signed paper strips collection bag’. At the end of the tea gathering, just affix the signed strips of paper in a book according to the order of the numbers to produce a registry.

A potential problem would be time wasted in fumbling for pens. Just make sure each person conducting the drawing of lots has a pen tied with a piece of string. Participants can then quickly get hold of the pen and sign. Do remember to use heavier grammage of paper for the strips.

40. Handling participants signing in upon arrival

Controlling the number of participants becomes critical if there are a lot of participants with many signing up in groups, and there are both pre-event and on-the-spot registrations. In this case, make sure all participants obtain their identification tags at the registration counter before proceeding to the drawing of lots. However, the workload will be very heavy at the registration counter, which may cause delay. Under these circumstances, try issue identification tags to pre-event registered participants who have confirmed their attendance ahead of time. They will be considered signed-in participants and can proceed directly to the draw of lots.

41. Controlling the number of participants and seat arrangement

During signing-in, personnel at the registration counter, the lots drawing counter and those who attend to seat arrangement must work very closely with each other. For example, if there are signs that there will be a lot more people joining at the last minute, the number of seats for the scheduled 300 participants will have to be increased to 350. Set the extra 50 lots aside. When the personnel at the registration counter confirm that there is such a need, they will have to inform the personnel conducting the drawing of lots to add the reserved 50 lots into the bag. Meanwhile, if there is no such need, the personnel in charge of seat arrangement have to be informed to eliminate the extra 50 seats. Depending on the venue, if it is impossible to add or remove the entire 50 seats at the end of the loop formation, try set aside 50 lots at intervals among the 350 lots to be drawn.

42. What if I want to bring along some friends who have not prepared any tea ware?

What should I do if I come across a friend who wants to join me after learning that I am on my way to a San-self Tea Gathering? It will be hard to turn him down. Likewise, some participants may bring their family members along. In theory, these ad hoc participants can only observe from the side because they have not brought any tea ware. However, it is possible to let them draw lots, be seated among participants and be offered tea. The difference is, he and the three fellow drinkers on his left will have one cup less than the others (assuming that each person makes four cups of tea).

If the number of these ad hoc participants is small, they can be considered as participants in the way described above. However, if the number is too large (but try not to exceed 1/3 of the number of tea-brewing participants), make sure that any two ad hoc participants without tea ware are not sitting next to each other; this is to avoid too few cups of tea for several participants on their left. If such arrangement happens after lots are drawn, the personnel in charge will have to relocate the second ad hoc participant and make the distribution more even.

43. Seating arrangement for ‘non tea-brewing’ participants

San-self Tea Gathering requires each participant to brew tea – this is a key principle. There are exceptions though. If the gathering is held in honour of certain guests who are not familiar with tea brewing, special arrangement will have to be made. Take out the number of lots equivalent to the number of these guests from the total pool of lots for all participants. This forms another pool of lots which only non tea-brewing participants draw from. In this case, it is acceptable even if the number of guests exceed 1/3, since all those present understand that the tea gathering is held for a special purpose. Having said that, if the number of non tea-brewing participants doubles that of other participants, it may mean each non tea-brewing guest will only be offered one cup of tea. As such, seating arrangement for these two types of participants will have to be attended to with extra care to avoid anyone not being offered any tea at all.

44. Is there a need for ‘connecting lots’ in the event that some participants come with their young children?

When we mention ‘participants come with their young children’, we are referring to participants with children who brew tea. Our experience shows that children as young as three years old are capable of the task. For children who can take care of themselves, it would be the best for them to draw lots on their own; this goes with the spirit of a San-self Tea Gathering. However, if adult assistance is required, participants can put in the request at the time of registration and ask for ‘connecting lots’, which will be drawn by the adult participants. ‘Connecting lots’ are basically lots of two consecutive numbers tied together. These lots should be prepared according to the situation of registration; any extra ones can be untied and used as ordinary lots.

’Connecting lots’ are strictly for adult participants with young children. No such requests from among adult participants will be entertained, as it goes against the spirit of San-self Tea Gathering. Meanwhile, switching places with the others after the drawing of lots is not acceptable.

45. How to ensure ‘time synchronizing’?

All San-self Tea Gatherings follow pre-agreed schedule. There are no designated personnel to facilitate the flow of the tea gathering. The event flow must be in sync among participants; timing is crucial, and they will rely on their watches to ensure this. There should be a clock, which serves as the official timekeeper, beside the registration counter or held up by a person, with a signage: ‘Please synchronize your watch with this clock’.

46. Should there be any ‘facilitators’?

For large-scale San-self Tea Gatherings, some people suggest that we can recruit volunteers to guide participants along at different spots of the venue. We would, instead, encourage self-help made possible by ‘pre-event preparation’ and ‘training’. This ensures that a San-self Tea Gathering is carried out with minimal manpower and resources, in line with what it aspires to. In any event, no newcomers could participate without any idea of San-self Tea Gatherings; participants would have been exposed to certain training of the Way of Tea and attended a related briefing.

47. Should there be personnel assigned to deal with unforeseen circumstances?

When brewing has begun at a San-self Tea Gathering, all members of the organizing team will return to their respective seats and participate, with the exception of the members of the audio and video crew. However, in a sizeable gathering, especially those with international participants, a couple of personnel could remain at the counter to attend to unexpected events.

48. How to deal with number plates of absentees?

When the ‘tea ware appreciation and networking’ session reaches halftime, personnel responsible for venue setup will have to collect the number plates (including souvenirs) from the seats of absentees in order to keep the venue tidy.

49. When should members of the organizing team be seated at the tea gathering?

With the exception of the video and audio crew, other members of the organizing team, including personnel for venue setup and registration will have to take their seats. They would have drawn lots, identified their seats and laid out their tea ware before they began carrying out their assigned duties. When the ‘tea ware appreciation and networking’ session reaches halftime, the registration counter will be closed, and these team members will return to their seats ready for tea brewing.

50. What would happen to latecomers?

When the ‘tea ware appreciation and networking’ session reaches halftime, the registration counter will be closed. To maintain order of the venue and avoid interruption, latecomers will not be able to join and brew tea. They will observe from the side, or take the initiative to assist at the counter and attend to unexpected events.

51. Seating arrangement for performers and presenters.

For San-self Tea Gathering with briefing arranged for the public, the presenter should be standing away from the tea-brewing participants. The position of the performers will have to take into consideration the wind direction and audio setup. Their places will have to be planned ahead, and exempted from drawing of lot. Their places will still be represented by numbered lots. However, the lots will be handed over to them by the personnel handling registration, instead of being drawn from the bag. When the performers have got hold of the lots, they will need to sign in the registry for record purpose.

Reserve some places near the registration counter or with easy accessibility for participants who have trouble moving around. The numbered lots of these places can be kept by the registration personnel and directly issued to those in need.

52. If for reasons beyond our control, the tea gathering cannot be held as scheduled, what remedial measures can be taken?

San-self Tea Gatherings are expected to take place as scheduled. In the rare occasion when, for reasons beyond our control (such as flight delay affecting the joint organizers), it is obvious that the gathering could not take place at the agreed time, the organizer would have to handle it according to the estimated duration of the delay: for delay above an hour, try inform all participants and reschedule the gathering; for delay within an hour, put up a notice at the registration counter regarding the reason for the delay and the revised time. If some participants have taken their seats, it would be necessary to announce the delay through the PA system, or having someone going around the venue with a signboard. Make very clear when the tea-brewing is going to begin, because the ‘tea ware appreciation and networking’ session that comes before it can take place first; whereas, the programme to take place after tea brewing will have to be delayed accordingly.

(1944)

第五章報到時段-蔡荣章

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《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

ISBN978-957-9690-08-9 “无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering180,” First edition: 1999.9, Second edition: 2010.9《无我茶会180条》1999.9第一版 2010.9第二版台北陆羽茶艺股份有限公司.2012.05.20修订版

第五章報到時段

38.抽籤、簽名等報到手續

無我茶會的報到手續包括註冊、對時、抽籤與簽名，或加上在無我茶會護照上蓋戳章。

註冊是查明與會者是屬於事先報名還是現場報名，需不需要繳費？然後發給識別證。如果約定奉茶給圍觀者，還要發給一定數量的臨時性杯子或做為紀念品的特製杯子。這些動作應力求簡便，可省略的步驟儘量省略。

抽籤是抽座位的號碼籤，用以決定每人的泡茶位置，一般以小紙片寫上編號摺成小方塊放進籤袋裡即可。但也可以將此籤製作得具有紀念性，會後留著作回憶。簽名是為了留下紀錄，由於無我茶會以抽籤決定座位，所以簽名最好與座次結合更具意義。

39.人多時，如何縮短抽籤與簽名的時間

大型無我茶會可多設幾處抽籤的地方以節省時間，簽名的方式可改為在「號碼籤」旁附設「簽名條」，簽名條上同時打上座號，簽完名後將簽名條撕下，丟回「簽名條回收袋」，等茶會結束後，將簽名條依編號貼成一份簽名簿。

這樣的做法可能因找不到簽名用筆而耽誤時間，解決之道是負責抽籤的人每人手裡抓一把原子筆，每支原子筆用較長的細繩子綁著。這樣大家就可以很快地拿到筆簽名，但簽名條要用厚一點的紙張製作。

40.報到人數的掌握

人數多，而且是分成許多單位集體報名，又是有一部分人事先報名，有一部分人現場報名，這種情況，人數的掌握變得很重要。一定要設法讓與會者都通過註冊處，取得識別證後再參加抽籤入座。但這時註冊處的工作負擔很重，且容易耽誤時間，所以事先已報完名，確定出席者儘量提前發給識別證，且將這部分視為已報到的人員，直接進行抽籤。

41.人數與座位的控制

報到時段，註冊處、抽籤處與場地座位安排的人員必須密切聯繫。例如預計三百人的茶會，當天的種種跡象顯現會有不少臨時參加的人，於是座位規畫了三百五十人，其中五十個號碼籤暫時不放入籤袋內，待註冊組人員發現確實需要時，再通知抽籤組的人將預留的籤條放入。若發現無此需要，報到時間的尾聲就可以通知場地組人員拿掉那五十個座位。如果場地規畫上無法做到尾端整批五十個座位的增減，可以從三百五十個座位中，平均抽掉五十個號碼籤備用。

42.想讓沒帶茶具的朋友也一起參加茶會，怎麼辦

在路上遇見朋友，他聽說您要去參加無我茶會，吵著也要去，怎麼辦？只好帶他去。另外也難免有與會者帶著家人一同前往，這種狀況下，他們都沒準備泡茶，也沒帶茶具。照理只好讓他們一旁參觀，但也可以讓他們抽籤，坐在隊伍裡面接受奉茶，只是他與他左邊的三位朋友少掉一杯茶而已（若每人泡茶四杯）。

這種情形如果人數不多，就如同上述，視為與會人員即可，但如果人數太多，（但仍不宜超過泡茶人數的三分之一），應避免二個以上未帶茶具者坐在一起，否則他們左鄰幾個人的被奉茶杯數會變得太少。萬一抽籤後發現有這種現象，場地組的人應主動將第二個未帶茶具者往他處調一下，使間隔的人數平均一些。

43.「不泡茶者」入座的方法

與會者都要泡茶，這是無我茶會的基本原則，但如果我們以無我茶會的方式歡迎某些人，而這些人又都不熟悉泡茶，這時就可以從全部座位號碼牌中平均抽出“不泡茶者”的張數，由「不泡茶者」抽籤入座。這時不泡茶者的人數即使超過三分之一也無妨，因為大家都知道本次無我茶會有特殊的任務。但如果不泡茶者是泡茶者的二倍，就要考慮到每位不泡茶者只有一杯茶可喝，而且兩組座號的排列要特別小心，以免有人喝不到茶。

44.帶著幼兒一起參加，應否設置「母子簽」

這裡所說的「帶著幼兒一起參加無我茶會」是指小朋友也參加泡茶的意思，經驗告訴我們，三歲的小朋友就可以參加泡茶。如果小朋友有能力照顧自己，讓他們獨自抽籤入座最符合無我茶會的精神，如果尚需要大人的協助，可以在報名參加時告訴主辦單位請他們準備一些「母子簽」，由大人代表抽取。所謂「母子簽」就是連續二個號碼的座位簽綁在一起，依報名情形，酌量準備一些，多出來的還可以解開作為普通簽使用。

「母子簽」只適合攜帶幼兒時使用，若有大人要求使用是不可以的，因為違背了無我茶會的基本精神。抽完簽後與別人對調位置也是不對的。

45.「對時」如何實施

無我茶會是依事先排定的行程進行，期間沒人從事指揮，所以大家手錶上的時刻一致是很重要的。報到的時候，可以在註冊處旁放只時鐘，或由一個人拿著，上面寫著：「請對時」。

46.要設「引導人員」嗎

有人建議在大型無我茶會時，徵集一些志願者在各角落指導與會者。我們認為應儘量透過各種「事先的準備」與「訓練」，讓茶會在極簡單的人力與物力之下順利進行，這是無我茶會所要表現的境界。況且參加無我茶會的人一定參加過茶道訓練與無我茶會的說明會，不是任何人初次見面就可以參加的。

47.茶會進行間要不要有專人負責臨時發生的事情

無我茶會開始泡茶後，所有的工作人員都回到自己的座位參與泡茶，除了攝錄影與音響的人員之外。但大型的無我茶會，尤其是國際性的場合，可保留一兩位在服務臺上負責解決臨時發生的事情。

48.缺席的座位號碼牌如何處理

「茶具觀摩與聯誼」的時間過了一半，場地組的人每人負責收回自己負責區域內缺席者的座號牌（含紀念品），這樣會場看來整潔些。

49.工作人員何時入場

除了攝錄影、音響的工作人員外，其他如場地、報到處的人員都要參加泡茶的。報到處人員應提前抽好簽，將自己的茶具擺設妥當，然後開始執行任務，等「茶具觀摩與聯誼」的時間過了一半，報到處停止作業，回到自己的座位準備泡茶。

50.遲到的人怎麼辦

「茶具觀摩與聯誼」的時間過了一半，報到處停止作業後，遲到的人就不可以再加入泡茶了，免得影響會場秩序。遲到的人只能在旁參觀或者自動作為「留守」人員，協助解決會場臨時發生的事情。

51.表演者、解說員等的座位安排

無我茶會設有對外解說時，解說員的位置不在泡茶座位之列，至於表演者，由於有風向、音響設備等考慮，所以座位應該事先安排，不必列入抽籤的範圍，也就是座位號碼照編，但號碼簽不放入簽袋內，而是由「註冊組」工作人員直接交給表演者。表演者拿到簽條，依舊完成簽名手續，免得在「無我茶會紀」的簿子上找不到他們的蹤影。

與會者中若有行動不便者，可以保留一些較接近報到處，或就坐比較容易的位子，這些座位的號碼簽也直接交給註冊組人員，由他們發放。

52.因無可奈何的原因使得茶會無法依原定時間進行，如何補救

依事先排定的時間進行，是無我茶會的基本原則，但若遇到無可奈何的原因，如合辦單位的班機誤點，判定已無法依原訂的時間進行，這時主辦單位可依延誤時間的長短做不同的處置：延誤時間在一小時以上，儘量通知與會人員，修改茶會時間；若延誤時間在一個小時以內，只好在註冊處公告延誤的原因及修改的時間；若已有人開始就座，就得透過廣播或舉牌繞行通知。特別說清楚「開始泡茶」的時間改在什麼時候，因為泡茶前的「茶具觀摩與聯誼」可以先進行，泡茶以後的各項進度也只是跟在泡茶之後。

(1671)

無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering-Chapter 4- Venue Preparation -蔡荣章Rong-tsang Tsai

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《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

ISBN 978-957-9690-08-9 “无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering 180” ,First edition: 1999.9, Second edition: 2010.9.《无我茶会180条》,1999.9第一版，2010.9第二版.台北陆羽茶艺股份有限公司.2012.05.20修订版-English Translator : Katherine Yip,英语翻译：叶德明

Chapter 4 Venue Preparation

25. Creating ‘Venue Layout Plan’

For Sans-self Tea Gatherings with 50 or more participants, it is advisable to prepare a ‘venue layout plan’ for seating arrangement (including position of the performers during music appreciation; position of the presenters if there are briefings for the public; and the position of the registration counter, the audio console and amplifiers, etc. ) after visiting the venue. This layout plan could be posted at the registration counter as a ‘seating plan’ for the convenience of the participants on the day of the gathering.

A venue layout plan is basically a floor plan drawn to scale of the actual venue, denoting the ‘seat’, or the space for each participant (i.e. 160cm x (80cm + 40cm), of which 40cm is left between any two persons as walkway; in the event of two participants sitting next to each other to save space, the clearing on their left or right will be 20cm), also drawn to scale, and the general overall seating formation of the gathering. For venues with irregular shapes, it may be difficult to plan with just seating dimensions. It would be easier to represent each seat with small pieces of paper to the scale of the actual measurement. They would show the distance between the seats and the walkway. For example, if the actual dimension of 160cm x (80cm + 40cm) is to be represented by a scale of 1:100, each piece of paper representing the seat will have a dimension of 16mm x 12mm. On each side of the width of 12 mm, mark a 2mm gap to represent the walkway (the 2mm clearing on each side of the neighbouring seat will add up to a total width of 4mm). The 8mm in the middle will represent the space for sitting and brewing tea. Put a“↑”sign at the middle of the ‘seat’ to indicate the direction participants will be facing. If the venue is big enough, walkway could be widened to avoid congestion. With these small pieces of paper, work out the seating arrangement and try to obtain the best possible overall formation. Once confirmed, fix the paper onto the plan with glue and mark with numbers (beginning from the place nearest to the registration counter) (see figure below).

26. Marking the ‘Seats’

When seated on the floor, each ‘seat’, or space allocated to each participant, is as what we have discussed above. The layout team will be responsible for making the seating arrangement. It will be a bit of a hassle to mark the dimension of each seat on site; as such, a number plate will be placed to mark the ‘centre point’ of ‘the front edge of the cushion’. Each participant just needs to align the centre of the front edge of their cushions with the respective number plates When all are seated, the intended formation will be achieved.

‘The front edge of the cushion’ is defined as 50cm backwards from the front edge of the space allocated to each participant; in between will be the space for tea brewing and the tea tray. The ‘centre point’ refers to midway between the two sides, widthwise, of the seat. The space occupied by the carrier bag on the right could be ignored in this calculation.

27. The Direction for the Placement of Number Plates

With regard to the loop formation of a San-self Tea Gathering, should the placement of number plates go clockwise, or anticlockwise? In theory, it is feasible either way. Having said that, people normally follow the order of the numbers, so if it is agreed that participants are to offer tea to their left, it would be advisable to place the number plates in clockwise direction; if participants are to offer tea to their right, it would be better to go anticlockwise.

28. ‘Forward-facing’ or ‘rear-facing’?

In principle, seating arrangement of San-self Tea Gatherings is to form a loop, regardless of its shape. When one sits facing the centre point, it is described as ‘forward-facing’; on the contrary, in the event of back to back arrangement, those facing away from the centre point are described as ‘rear-facing’. Forward–facing seating allows participants to have a clear view of the entire gathering, and appreciate the rhythmic flow of movement in brewing and serving tea. To accommodate a large group with two or three concentric loops, some people suggest having the participants of neighbouring loops facing each other – this would mean having people in the outer loop forward-facing, and the people in the inner loop rear-facing. The downside is, the rear-facing participants will miss some of the actions since they can only see what is going on in certain areas owing to their positions. As such, the forward-facing arrangement is still preferred. There are worries that when participants of different concentric loops are all seated forward-facing, the view of those in the outer loops may be partly blocked by the back and legs of the people in front. Considering that the overall feeling is more important, it may be better to have all seated front-facing, and the distance in between two loops could be increased accordingly to tackle the issue.

When the San-self Tea Gathering takes place in public venues, agreement could be made on the rounds of tea to be offered to lookers-on. For such occasions, some people prefer rear-facing seating – first, relating to the public is possible; second, lookers-on will have a better view of the process of tea brewing. However, this will weaken the atmosphere of the gathering, and may divert people’s attention from the flow of the tea gathering and undermine the overall impression. What they may gather from this experience would be ‘someone offers tea to me’ rather than ‘a special tea gathering is going on’. For these reasons, we would suggest having everyone forward-facing, whether tea is to be offered to lookers-on or not.

Direction in which number plates are placed is important as a guide to ‘seating orientation’. To ensure participants are forward-facing, directions in which the number plates are placed have to guide them to ‘face the centre of the loop’. This guide is even more important in the event of an irregular formation, because it would be difficult for participants in certain areas to make out their seating orientation (see figure below).

29. What if the tea gatherings are held in public, and there are people passing by?

If the San-self Tea Gatherings are held in public venues with heavy people traffic, there should be ample space around for people passing by. Besides, it is important to mark the seats with eye-catching objects, or the venue with other marking options. Otherwise, the public may just walk right through without even noticing it.

It is against San-self Tea Gathering’s principle of simplicity if people are to be stationed all around to stop others from trespassing. The ideal solution is to build natural barriers by way of venue layout to raise awareness and garner respect of the public. Besides leaving enough space all around and emphasizing the boundaries, seating arrangement could be made in such a way that participants sit closer to each other. Also, try shorten the time in placing number plates, and ensure participants be seated soon after.

For a gathering held in public venue, the most difficult time to control is during venue setup and before all participants have arrived. Members of the organizing team may put on distinct identification tags to differentiate themselves from the public. Besides, time for ‘tea ware appreciation and networking’ is also the time when trespassing may occur. It is possible to let the public appreciate the tea ware, provided that care is taken so that no items will be broken or missing

30. Ways to separate participants from lookers-on

When the gatherings are held in public venues, there will always be people looking on and passing by, whether participants are brewing or serving tea themselves, or offering tea to the public. It will be great if the measures mentioned above are good enough to maintain order; otherwise, the organizer may consider roping off or use other ways to mark the venue and remind lookers-on not to enter. However, the rope should not be positioned to high to avoid alienating the others and creating an averse impression that ‘the participants are performing in a cordoned off area’. Hence, the rope is best kept below knee height.

31. Making of number plates (types of number plates)

Before participants begin registering, seats should have been clearly marked by number plates to enable participants to get to their respective places easily after drawing lots. If the floor is leveled, the place is not draughty and there are no outsiders moving around, cardboard is the easiest to work with. If there is a possibility of the cardboard being blown away or accidentally removed, try use non-staining adhesive to fix them onto the floor, or use wooden planks or pebbles, etc, to keep them in place.

If the gathering is held on a lawn, it is advisable to use heavier materials for larger number plates. Meanwhile, if there are souvenirs for participants to take home, seat numbers can be directly marked on these souvenirs.

32. The use of a Seating Plan (How to quickly place the number plates?)

When we discussed venue preparation above, we mentioned the making of a ‘venue layout plan’. This plan will double up as the ‘seating plan’ on the day itself. This will help participants quickly locate their places after drawing lots; it is especially useful for larger San-self Tea Gatherings with over a hundred participants. Some people have raised the idea of ushers; however, this would have gone against the principle of simplicity. As long as the ‘seating plan’ is done and posted where lots are drawn, which is convenient for viewing, participants should have no problem finding their seats. If needs be, make a few copies of the seating plan for larger gatherings.

The seating plan is also a blueprint for members of the layout team to carry out their tasks. For example, for a San-self gathering with 500 participants, the seating plan can be conveniently marked into 10 zones. 10 fellow tea drinkers can be assigned to place number plates, one for each delineated zone. With their respective bags of number plates, they will proceed to mark the seats. This way, each one has about 50 seats to work on which speed up the process. On top of that, it will be much easier to adjust the distance between any number plates where necessary.

33. How to display the name of the Tea Gathering?

Displaying the name may not be necessary if it is a private San-self Tea Gathering among friends at an agreed location. However, if the gathering is held for a special occasion, such as a wedding, an anniversary or commemoration, it is just appropriate to state clearly the name of the event. To ensure the video captures it, the display should be visible when everyone is seated and brewing tea.

In general, the display should not be placed too high. For a one or two-concentric loop formation, the centre point for the inner loop could be an ideal place to set it up. The name should be written on both sides so that it is visible on photos taken on either side of the display.

34. Setting up Audio Equipment

For large-scale tea gatherings which have ‘post-tea-drinking activities’ with sound, or gatherings with lookers-on to whom the organizers wish to explain the unique way and meaning of San-self Tea Gatherings, audio equipment is required so that everyone present will be able to hear the music or sound at the post-event activities, or the verbal explanation for the public.

Beside volume capacity, the equipment should be set up in such a way that there is no echo interference. Volume should be even throughout the venue, so that the sound will not be so strong that it becomes unbearable to some, but so weak that it becomes inaudible to the others.

35. Positions of the Presenter and Performers

If a presenter is required for making explanation to the public, the person should be stationed where the microphone works the best. Besides, the position should not spoil the overall impression and harmony. One option is for the person to sit or stand behind the participants of the outer loop. Never should the presenter stand right at the middle of the venue.

As for music appreciation after tea drinking, the performers must be positioned among the participants to be seen as part of them. A separate stage is not required. The position will be decided based on a few considerations: firstly, the audio setup; and secondly, the wind direction. Standing against the wind will harm the vocal cord of the singers.

36. How to avoid mixing up the teacups and save queuing time when all participants offer tea to the designated party during ritualistic or memorial San-self Tea Gatherings?

During a San-self Tea Gathering dedicated to a ritualistic or memorial purpose, the first round of tea will be offered to an identified party. For a large group of participants, organize them into groups of about 30 and divide the tea offering place into several spots. This way, the queuing time can be shortened.

To avoid disorder or mixing up the tea cups, a piece of cloth marked with positions of tea cups can be laid at the tea offering place. Participants will then place their cups accordingly. Furthermore, participants can mark their cups with numbers for easy identification. However, if these numbers vary from their own seat numbers, it could cause confusion and get participants into frenzied number matching.

37. How to control seating if there are not enough seats, or too many empty seats because people do not show up?

To avoid shortage of seats or the presence of too many empty seats, make provision when planning the last seats. One way to do it is to have part of the loop formation curving in to form a ‘dent’, like the letter ‘U’, hence creating extra space to accommodate more people. If less-than-expected people turn up, flatten the ‘dent’ and resume the ‘O’-shaped loop to eliminate extra space. The personnel in charge of the drawing of lots should be informed of this flexible arrangement and the seat numbers concerned, while working together with other team members to add or take away seats where necessary.

By comparison, it is easier to make seating adjustment for a multi-loop formation, as the number of inner loops could be increased or decreased. Meanwhile, as there are fewer seats in the inner loops, it is easier to make slight adjustment to the distance in between.

(1768)

第四章場地的準備-蔡荣章

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《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

ISBN978-957-9690-08-9 “无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering180,” First edition: 1999.9, Second edition: 2010.9《无我茶会180条》1999.9第一版 2010.9第二版台北陆羽茶艺股份有限公司.2012.05.20修订版-English Translator : Katherine Yip英语翻译：叶德明

第四章場地的準備

25.「場地規畫圖」的製作

50個人以上的無我茶會，在勘察完場地後，最好畫一張「場地規劃圖」，確定座位的排法（這還包括音樂欣賞時，表演者的位置；設有對外解說時，解說員的位置；以及報到的地方、音響主機與喇叭設置的地點等），這張規劃圖還可以作為正式茶會時，放在報到處，方便大家找座位的「座位標示圖」。

場地規劃圖是在紙上畫一張場地平面圖，依比例縮小，然後將一個人所需座位的空間「160cm×（80cm＋40cm）」（其中40cm是每兩個人間的走道，若是僅留單邊走道，就是較緊靠的情形，則改為20cm），也依同樣比例縮小，在平面圖上規劃出適當的隊形。若場地的地形較為複雜，單憑座位的尺寸不易規劃，可將每人座位的縮小後尺寸裁剪成一張張的小紙片，紙片顯示出座位的空間與走道的距離，例如未縮小前的尺寸是160cm×（80cm＋40cm），縮小成1/100，那紙片的長度就是16mm，寬度12mm；在寬度的12mm的那一面畫出左右各2mm的空間作為走道，（這2mm的空間與左右鄰居的2mm就形成了4mm的走道），中間8mm是坐下泡茶的地方。在座位中央的地方畫個“↑”表示就坐的方向。如果場地夠大，可以加大走道的空間，避免顯得擁擠。利用這些紙片在場地的平面圖上排列，設法得出理想的泡茶隊形。等隊形確定後，將紙片貼在平面圖上，並標上號碼（從靠近報到處的地方作為編號的起點）(如圖所示)。

26.座位如何標示

席地而坐時，一個人「座位」的空間有如前面所述，如何排列，負責場地佈置的人會有計劃，但實際在會場上，不會標示出每一個人的座位空間，那樣做太費事了，只要用號碼牌標示出每一個人「坐墊前緣」的“中心點”，而參加茶會的每一個人鋪設坐墊時，都將坐墊前緣中心點對準號碼牌，就位後，自然就是原先規劃好的茶會隊形。

「坐墊前緣」是在每一人所占空間最前端向後退約50cm的地方，退後的這個地方是泡茶與放奉茶盤的地方。至於「中心點」，就以座位寬度的中心點計算即可，茶具袋放在右側造成的一點偏差不去管它。

27.號碼牌的排列方向

無我茶會是圍成圈圈泡茶，所謂號碼牌排列的方向是指「依順時鐘方向」還是「依逆時鐘方向」？理論上都可以，但人們經常有跟著號碼的次序行事的習慣，所以如果這次茶會約定向左奉茶，號碼牌最好依順時鐘方向排列，如果約定向右奉茶，則依逆時鐘方向排列。

28.「向心坐」與「背心坐」的差異

無我茶會原則上是圍成圈圈泡茶，不論這個圈是圓還是方，只要大家是面對面，朝著中心點就坐的就稱為「向心坐」，相反的，大家是背對背，背著中心點就坐的就稱為「背心坐」。向心坐的方式，大家可以清楚地看到茶會的全景，容易體會到大家泡茶、奉茶的律動之美。人數眾多，圍成二圈或三圈以上時，有人會建議讓相鄰的兩圈面對面，也就是外圈的人向心坐，內圈的人背心坐，這種做法，背心坐的人只能看到某一角落的人，看不到無我茶會整體的運作，所以還是大家都「向心坐」比較好。有人擔心數圈一起向心坐，外圈的人會看到前面人的背與腳，但在兩相比較之下，整體性感覺還是比較重要的，兩圈間的距離拉大一點，就可以減弱上述的顧慮。

無我茶會在公共場所舉辦時，是可以事先約定某幾道茶奉給圍觀的人，這時也會有人建議「背心坐」，理由是：一方面增加與群眾的親切感，二方面讓圍觀的人更清楚地看到我們如何泡茶。但如果這樣做，不只自己體會不到整體茶會進行的感覺，同時也分散了圍觀者對茶會進行的完整性認識；他們體會到的是「別人奉茶給他」大於「一場特殊的茶會正在進行」。所以我們主張不論是否奉茶給圍觀的人，一律向心坐。

號碼牌擺置的方向是引導大家「坐向」的重要因素，要大家向心坐，號碼牌的擺置方向就要讓人「面向圓心」看。這項引導功能在不規則隊形時倍顯重要，因為參加者在某個區域內不容易弄清他應該的坐向（如圖示）。

29.茶會場地有外人走動時，怎麼辦

無我茶會若在公共場所舉辦，而且又位於人潮必經的地方，一定要在會場的週邊留出明顯的走道供人們通過，而且以較醒目的物品做為座位號碼牌，或以其他方法標示出會場的範圍，否則來往的人們會不自覺地穿越會場。

派人站在四周當警衛有違無我茶會簡便的原則，最理想的方式是憑藉場地的規劃，自然造成外人的警覺與尊重。除上述的預留明顯走道與強調會場範圍外，讓大家坐得密一點，而且儘量縮短擺設號碼牌的時間，讓號碼牌擺設完畢後，很快地就有與會人員報到與就坐。在公共場所舉行無我茶會，最難掌控的是會場佈置期間與泡茶人員尚未到齊的時候。此外，還可以讓與會人員佩戴明顯的標示，以別於其他廣場的人們。因為「茶具觀摩與聯誼」的時段，也是外人比較容易摻入的時間。讓外人也參與茶具觀摩不是不可以，但是應避免茶具的破損與遺失。

30.與圍觀群眾的區隔方法

在公共場所舉辦無我茶會，不論只是與會人員自行泡茶、奉茶，還是還要奉茶給圍觀的人，總會有人圍觀，如果僅以上面所述的方法就足以維持秩序當然最好，如果還嫌不足，可用繩索或其他方法圍出一個範圍，提醒圍觀者不要超越。如果使用繩索，不要圍得太高，若超過膝蓋的高度，會顯得很不親切，而且反而有「把與會者圍在裡面表演」的錯誤效果。

31.號碼牌如何製作（號碼牌的種類）

與會者開始報到前，就應該將會場的座位以號碼牌標示清楚，方便與會者憑抽到的號碼就座。如果地面平整，又無風吹及閒雜人走動，用厚紙片寫上號碼是最簡便的方法。若怕風吹或閒雜人走動時踢散了，可用非污染性的粘劑粘在地面。也可以使用木片、小石塊……。

若在草地上舉行，就得使用重一點的材質，如果地面不是很平，還得考慮體積大一點的牌子。如果這次活動準備有送給大家的紀念品，也可以直接把座號標示在紀念品上。

32.座位標示圖的應用 (快速設置妥號碼牌的方法)

在場地的準備上，我們談到「場地規畫圖」的製作，這張規劃圖在茶會當天可以作為「座位標示圖」使用，讓與會人員報到、抽得號碼簽之後，很快找到自己的座位，尤其在百人以上的大型無我茶會上。有人建議設置座位引導人員，但違背了無我茶會簡便的原則，只要將「座位標示圖」製作好，公佈於抽號碼簽的地方，人多時多製作幾份使用，而且讓與會人員都能看到，就不難有效地協助大家找到座位了。

這張座位標示圖還是場地佈置人員很好的施工藍圖，舉辦大型無我茶會時，如五百人，可在座位標示圖上，將座位依方便性畫分成十個區域，並在現場標示出這十個區域的分界點，請十位茶友每人負責擺置一個區域的座位號碼牌，號碼牌亦是分成十袋分發給他們。這樣每人只在自己分配到的區域擺置大約五十個號碼牌，很快就可以完成，如果每個號碼間的距離分配得不夠平均，調整起來也容易。

33.茶會名稱如何標示

一群朋友相約在某個地方舉辦無我茶會，可以不需要在會場上標示任何茶會名稱，但如果為某項事件舉辦的無我茶會，如某人的結婚、某單位的周年慶，或是利用無我茶會作為追思性儀式，在會場上有個茶會名稱較具紀念性。這時的名稱標示最好能考慮到攝錄影的效果，也就是大家坐下來泡茶時，能將茶會名稱收納在畫面上。

通常茶會名稱標示的地方不能太高，如果大家圍成一圈或二圈泡茶，內圈中心點的地方是很好的考慮位置。名稱可以雙面書寫，這樣兩面拍照都可以看得見。

34.音響的設置

大型茶會，且會中安排有聲響式「品茗後活動」；或在有圍觀群眾的場合，希望透過解說讓大家瞭解無我茶會的特殊做法與意義時，必須設置擴音設備，使在場的人能清楚地聽到品茗後的音樂或其他聲音，以及解說的內容。

音箱的設置除要有足夠的音量外，還要避免四周環境可能造成回音的干擾，而且音量要力求平均，免得有些人因音量太大受不了，有些人又因音量太小聽不清楚。

35.解說員與表演者的位置

因需要對外解說而設的解說員，其位置除音響需要的考慮如麥克風的適當地點外，以不突顯、不干擾整體畫面的和諧為原則，站或坐在最外圈的泡茶者後面是適當的考慮。站在圈子的中間是萬萬不可的。

品茗後安排有音樂欣賞時，表演者必須安排在泡茶的隊伍裡面，視為泡茶者的一部分，不應該另設表演台。至於安排在泡茶隊伍裡的什麼位置，第一要考慮與音響設施的配合，第二要考慮風向，若是逆風的位置，對演唱者的喉嚨不利。

36.儀式性或紀念性無我茶會，需要全體人員向特定對象奉茶時，如何避免杯位混亂，並節省排隊奉茶的時間

儀式性或紀念性無我茶會，若安排第一道茶都要奉給特定對象，而且與會人數眾多時，可將奉茶的地方分成數區，若是三十個人左右使用一區，當不至於排隊等待太久。

大家奉茶的杯子若擔心隨意放會顯得零亂，或怕收杯子時會找不到自己的杯子，可在奉茶地方鋪上畫有杯位的墊布之類的東西，讓大家依規劃放置，若還擔心弄不清楚自己是哪一杯，還可標上號碼。但編號若不是與座號一致，只是便於識別，則編號的方式要避免讓人誤以為：「坐哪號放哪號」，否則大家還要找號碼而不能依方便的地方放置。

37.如何控制座位，以免不夠或缺席的空位太多

為避免座位不夠或空位太多，在座位規劃時，盡可能設計成最後一些座位是可有可無的狀況。如“凹”字形的隊形，人多時，凹進來的這部分增加出來；人少時，凹進來的部分取消，變成「口」狀的隊形。後面這些號碼要讓負責「抽籤」工作的人知道，並配合他們，視需要機動地增、減這部分座位。

多圈式的座位設計也是調整座數較容易的方式，內圈隨時可增加或取消；而且內圈座數較少，調整「間距」作小幅度的增減比較容易。

(1850)

無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering-Chapter 3- Principles for Venue Setup-蔡荣章Rong-tsang Tsai

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《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

Chapter 3 Principles for Venue Setup

14. What kind of indoor venue is appropriate?

There is no special requirement as long as the venue is spacious enough for participants to form a closed loop when tea is brewed and the gathering in progress. In principle, it would be best for participants to be seated on the floor in order to get rid of tables and chairs; this helps eliminate barriers and gets people closer to each other. Even if the tea gathering is held at home with just one or a couple of people attending, leaving tables and chairs aside would help facilitate emotional communication. Having said that, the use of tables and chairs is acceptable for participants who find it difficult sitting on the floor, or when the floor surface is not appropriate for sitting.

The formation should be an enclosure – it could be a circle, square, rectangle or any other shapes, provided that it forms a loop. For a tea gathering of two, the participants should be facing each other.

15. What makes an ideal indoor venue?

What is good for indoors applies outdoors. Any space that is large enough for participants to form a loop will be good. They should be seated on the ground just to avoid the labour and commotion of shuffling chairs and tables around. As such, any lawn, stone-paved or concrete surfaces will serve the purpose.

A large piece of lawn or a public square would be ideal; but the path around the park, with its many twists and turns, may work just fine because participants could form a sort of circle along the path – the ends may not fully meet because of a bridge or other park amenities or features; however, on condition that participants can see and make their way to each other, the loop is considered complete. Undulating terrain is fine; as long as the way is clear, who would mind going up a few steps to offer tea?

If it is a large open space with a huge group, say of five hundred people, the place may look deserted and the people at different parts of the formation too far apart. In these circumstances, a formation with two or three concentric rows, or an ‘amoeba-shaped’ formation that curves in and out may be considered.

16. Is it necessary to choose a quiet and scenic place?

A tranquil and picturesque environment would be the best for hosting Sans-self Tea Gatherings. There are, however, a few exceptions: First, the choice of a high-traffic area for promotion purposes, such as demonstrating what this concept is all about to a larger number of people. Second, the choice of a noisy environment for cultivating our resistance to distraction – we once held a 60-person tea gathering in the concourse area at the entrance of a large department store right outside the bustling Taipei Railway Station; this could not be busier and noisier. We just formed a circle and served tea to passers-by. The belief is: when you can calm your mind and brew tea in such a place, nothing will stand in your way. Third, the choice of a set venue for a particular cause such as serving tea to the elderly at the old folks’ home, and organizing activities for a special or memorable day. Under these circumstances, we just have to make do with the environment.

17. What if it rains?

For outdoor activities, bad weather condition such as typhoon or torrential rain is the major cause of worry. It would be easier to have the tea gathering rescheduled to another date, or relocated to another place, if it involves a small group of people or close friends. However, if it is a large-scale event for the public, it would be advisable to have a contingency plan for bad weather, such as a nearby place for shelter or a postponed date, during the planning stage.

18. How bright should the lighting be for a Sans-self Tea Gathering held at night?

For such gatherings, participants will bring along their own lighting devices; as such, lighting at venues such as the park or football pitch should not be so bright that it washes out the light emitted from the personal devices; and yes, the soft glow of the stars in the sky as well. On the other hand, the venue should be adequately lit up to avoid accidents when people are moving about.

19. What should we do if, owing to the particular conditions and terrain of the venue, we cannot form a continuous loop?

This should not be a major concern. For example, if we want to incorporate lotus appreciation into a Sans-self Tea Gathering, but the lotus pond is so big that there is such a significant distance between the participants at both ends – it would be a long walk for them to offer tea and keep the loop going. In situation like this, all we have to do is to inform the participants concerned (whose seats are decided by drawing lots) that the few persons at the beginning of the loop may miss a few rounds of serving, as there will not be enough tea to be served from the right; and that those at the end of the loop will serve fewer rounds since there will not be enough participants on their left to offer tea to (assuming that tea is served from your left). Slight adjustment to the rules will ensure smooth progress of the tea gathering just the same.

20. What is the best seating arrangement for a tea demonstration on stage?

If a demonstration is staged to illustrate the format and spirit of a Sans-self Tea Gathering, the circular formation may be tricky – unless the venue has a wraparound seating arrangement with the stage at the centre; otherwise, people seated nearest to the edge of the stage will have their back to the audiences; hence blocking their view. For situation like this, it is recommended that a gap be left at the end nearest to the audiences, while maintaining the overall loop formation on the stage at large.

21. When hosting a Sans-self Tea Gathering for memorial purposes, what are the items to be adjusted?

For example, at a tea gathering commemorating the 1,300^th anniversary of the birth of Lu Yu, the organizer put up a bronze statue of the Tea Ancestor in the hall. Beginning from both sides of the statue, the lineup of tea aficionados fanned out then turned inwards, until the two ends come together to form a circle. First, participant offered tea to Lu Xu by placing the cups on the table in front of the statue. The other three cups were then offered to the two fellow tea drinkers on the left and then oneself (as the format agreed beforehand). The participants on both sides of the bronze statue were considered as next to each other.

22. How much space is needed for a person seated on the floor? What is the distance between two persons? And how much space should be reserved in front of each person to ensure free flow of traffic?

For floor seating, there should be a cushion. Enough space is to be reserved in front of the cushion for tea brewing and the serving tray; at the back for the shoes and standing up; and on the right for the carrying bag for tea ware. Leaving about 160cm (back and front) x 80cm (left and right) would be enough.

There should be a clearing of 40cm on the left and right for people walking pass. If the venue is small, participants may sit side by side and leave some space on either their left or right for people passing through – when offering tea, the person on the left would move out from the left and the person on the right from the right. There should be a space about 80cm and above for people serving tea to you; any less would make it difficult for the person to squat down. Such space would only allow one person offering tea at a time. If two persons are offering tea at the same time to two fellow drinkers facing them, then the clearing should measure 160cm and above. In the event that one does not have a space of 80cm, then the two rows should not be aligned; rather, they should be shifted so that the person is positioned facing the gap of the row in front (as shown in the diagram below).

A. Serving Tray

B. Tea Towel

C. Cushion

D. Shoes

E. Carrying Bag (for tea ware)

40 – space for walking through

80 – space for serving tea

23. How many people can this venue accommodate?

How many participants can this place host? The rule of thumb is to measure the length of the loop or loops for seating, and divide the measurement by 120cm or 100cm – in the first instance, the quotient shows the number of people the place can accommodate when the seating is more spacious; in the second instance, the quotient shows the number of people when the seating is not as spacious. If there is more than one loop to be formed, the number of people for all the loops will have to be added up.

Not to be forgotten is the depth — a participant will need 160cm, front to back, and an additional 80cm in front of him for tea serving. In the event that such depth could not be attained, a single row or an irregular-shaped loop formation could be considered. If the opposite sides of the same loop is very close to each other, there will have to be a clearing of 80cm and above in front of each person, to allow two fellow drinkers offering tea at the same time to the two persons facing them – it would mean a clearing of 160cm and above all in all.

If there is no appropriate measuring equipment, especially for a large square, a 24-meter piece of string will come in handy. Make a knot at the place where it measures 20 metres. This will give two indications – 24 metres will allow 20 people to be seated in a comfortable manner, while 20 metres can accommodate 20 people, too, albeit in a less spacious manner.

Meanwhile, the stride length of a person will be approximately 60cm; as such, a simple way it to take two strides as the space for one participant. Make one round according to the proposed loop formation for seating arrangement, and you would have a rough idea of how many people the place can take.

If the proposed arrangement is a circle, then all you need is the diameter to work out the entire length of the closed loop, or perimeter (which is diameter x ‘pi’, i.e. 3.1416). If the formation is an oval, you may work out the diameter on the shorter end, then add 10% to 20% to the answer depending on the type of oval, and you would have a rough estimate of the perimeter of the oval – for a very much elongated oval that is much longer than it is broad (an ellipse), add 20%; for an oval with not so much of a difference between the length and width, add 10%.

24. When organizing a Sans-self Tea Gathering in the countryside, the absence of public convenience could be an issue. Is there any way to overcome this inconvenience?

If there are no residences nearby where one could seek assistance, the organizer may find a way out by hiring the ‘mobile toilets’. And yet, if the area is too remote and hiring such facilities is impossible, identify a suitably-located spot and dig out some earth to make a small trench. Do a makeshift cover with reed and leave a small metal spade next to the spot; this will enable the user to spade some earth in afterwards. At the end of the gathering, make sure the place is cleaned up and leveled as it originally was.

One basic rule of the Sans-self Tea Gathering is simplicity. Administration is to be simple with minimal use of resources, manpower and materials included. Protecting the environment and sustaining the ecological system of Nature are also our priorities.

(1647)

第三章場地問題-蔡荣章

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《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

第三章場地問題

14.室內以什麼場地為宜

舉辦無我茶會的場地並無特殊的要求，只要有一空曠的空間，讓大家圍成圈圈泡茶即可。原則上無我茶會希望席地而坐，因為沒有桌椅的阻隔，人與人間的關係更直接、更親切，即使一個人或三兩個人在家裡進行無我茶會，不用桌椅也更能促進彼此情感的交流。但若是地面不宜就坐，或是與會人員不便席地而坐，使用桌椅也可以。

這裡所說的圍成圈圈並不一定是圓形，四方形、長方形、多邊形皆可，只要頭尾相接成連續性的一圈即可。只有兩人時，這一圈就是兩人對坐。

15.室外以什麼場地為宜

室外也如室內，只要有一適當的空間，讓大家圍成圈圈泡茶即可。在室外進行無我茶會更是要席地而坐才好，否則還要準備桌椅不方便；為了席地而坐，就應該選擇有草坪、或鋪石板、刷水泥的地方。

一大片草坪或廣場最好，但公園裡的小徑，雖然曲折，也可以沿著它圍成一圈。這其間或許被一座小橋隔開了，或者頭尾兩端無法緊鄰，但只要彼此看得見，走得過去，就可以視為接續。遇到地形高高低低時也無妨，只要走起來還方便，爬幾層石階上去奉茶有何不可？

如果是一大片空地，人數又多，如五百人，圍成一大圈會顯得空蕩，這時可圍成兩圈或三圈，也可以排列成如變形蟲般的凹凸隊形。

16.一定要在幽靜與風景優美的地方舉辦嗎

舉辦無我茶會能在幽靜與風景優美的地方最好，但有幾個狀況例外：其一是為了推廣，必須選擇人多的地方舉辦，配合解說，讓更多的人瞭解何謂無我茶會。其二是為了訓練大家的定力，挑選吵雜的地方舉辦。有次我們在臺北市火車站前一家大型百貨公司的門前廣場舉辦，車水馬龍，再也沒有更喧囂的地方了，六十個人席地圍成一圈泡茶，並奉茶給圍觀的路人。這樣的地方都能夠靜下心來泡茶，還有什麼定不下來的呢？其三是為了特定目的所舉辦的無我茶會，如到養老院奉茶、為某個紀念日舉辦活動，就只能遷就既有的環境。

17.下雨怎麼辦

在戶外舉辦活動最擔心的就是天候不良，如颳風、下雨等，小型或是一群熟朋友間的活動還可以臨時改變地方或延期舉辦，若大型對外公開舉辦的活動，最好在籌畫時就擬訂下雨時的第二方案，如附近就有可以避雨的場所或約定順延到什麼時候。

18.舉辦夜晚無我茶會時，場地需要多亮的公共照明

夜晚無我茶會是每人自備「個人照明設備」，所以場地的公共照明不能太亮，如公園的路燈、球場的照明如果太亮，個人自備的燈具就顯現不了功能，會場夜晚星光點點的效果也無法表現。但場地也不能一片漆黑，否則人員走動時不方便，且易生危險。

19.地形特殊，無法達成連續性隊形，怎麼辦

例如我們想辦一場賞荷無我茶會，但荷花池是那麼的大，人員無法圍著繞成一圈，而且兩頭的人員又相距頗遠，要他們視為“連續”，必須走很多路才能奉茶，這時可現場告訴抽到頭尾座位的人：前面數位茶友會少掉幾杯茶可以喝，因為他們的右邊沒有足夠奉茶給他們的人。後面數位茶友可以少泡幾杯，因為他們的左邊沒有足夠讓他們奉茶的人（假設是向左奉茶）。這樣調整一下遊戲規則，無我茶會照樣可以運行。

20.在舞臺從事示範性表演時的座位排法

在舞臺上以小型無我茶會為例子向大家說明無我茶會的進行方式與精神時，若將座位排成完整的圓圈，除非是圓形劇場，否則靠近台下的一面會是背向著觀眾，而且擋住觀眾的視線，所以最好是將靠近觀眾的一邊留出一個缺口，但還是讓觀眾看得出是圍成一圈的樣子。

21.作為紀念性無我茶會時，場地如何應變

例如我們為紀念茶祖陸羽一千三百周年紀念，在禮堂塑立了一尊他的銅像，茶友們就從銅像的兩旁延伸出去，圍成一個圓圈泡茶，每人第一杯茶奉給陸羽，陳放在銅像前的桌面上，剩下的三杯奉給左邊二位茶友與自己（假設約定如此），陸羽銅像兩邊的人視為相鄰。

22.席地而坐時，一個人的空間需要多少，兩人相隔的距離該多少，座位前面應保留多少活動空間

席地而坐時，要有一塊坐墊，坐墊前方是泡茶與放奉茶盤的地方，坐墊後方是放鞋子與站立的地方，坐墊的右方是放茶具袋的地方，這樣的空間，大約需要160cm（前後）×80cm（左右）。

左右側相鄰兩人的中間大約需要空出40cm作為走道，如果場地太小，可僅留一邊做為走道，也就是每兩人緊靠在一起，右邊的人從右側出去奉茶，左邊的人從左側出去奉茶。每個座位前方應空出80cm以上作為別人前來奉茶的空間，也就是說：無我茶會圍成的一圈或二圈，兩排泡茶位子間的距離不得少於80cm，否則蹲下來奉茶會有困難。80cm也只能容許一個人奉茶，如果兩個人要同時奉茶給面對面的兩個人，必須有160cm以上的空間。如果受到場地的限制，無法每排保留足夠的80cm，那相對的兩排就不要一個對一個地排列，而是錯開來，這排的「人」對著另外一排的「空當」(如圖所示)。

23.這個場地能容納多少人

一個場地能容納多少人參加無我茶會，最簡單的方法就是量一量準備要排座位的那一圈或那幾圈有多長，將長度除以120cm或100cm，得到的數字就是可以坐得下的人數。第一個數字是坐起來比較寬鬆的人數，第二個數字是坐起來比較緊靠的人數。如果準備排成兩圈，那就將兩圈的人數加在一起。

場地的深度也要考慮，一個人坐下，需要160cm的前後位置，它的前面還要有80cm以上的奉茶空間。若深度不夠，可以考慮單排或不規則的圓圈。如果同一圓圈的相對兩邊靠得很近，要能讓二個人同時奉茶給相對而坐的二個人，必須每人前面都留有80cm以上的奉茶空間,也就是相對的二人間，要有160cm以上的奉茶空間。

如果沒有適當的測量工具，尤其是大的廣場，可事先準備一條24公尺長的繩子，在20公尺的地方打個結。24m的一條繩子（長度）可以坐寬鬆的20人，20m的一條繩子(長度)可以坐緊靠的20人。

一個人跨一步的距離大約60cm,所以簡便的測量方法就是走2步可以容納一個人，走完擬排座位的圈子，就知道可以容納多少人了。

如果擬在廣場上排一圓形的座位，只要知道“直徑”的長度，就可以從“圓周率”算出圓周的長度，也就是:直徑x3.1416。如果要排成橢圓形，從短邊的直徑算出圓周後，再加上一成或二成，就大約是橢圓形的圓周長度。橢圓形的兩側延伸很多時，也就是很扁的橢圓形時，就加上二成，兩側延伸不是很多時，也就是不是很扁的橢圓形，就加上一成。

24.茶會在野外舉行，衛生問題如何克服（野外廁所的設置）

無我茶會在野外舉辦，如果附近沒有住家可以借到廁所，主辦單位就必須準備臨時的設施。租用“移動式臨時廁所”是簡便的方法，但若在深山裡無法租借到，只好找個適當的地方，在地上挖個小溝，用蘆葦等築成掩體，並備一隻小鐵鏟在旁邊，以便使用後，鏟一些土掩蓋。會後再行復原成原來的樣子。

無我茶會有一項基本原則，就是簡單，舉辦茶會的行政工作力求簡便，包含人力與物力，而且以保護環境、維護自然生態為優先考慮。

(1948)

無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering-Chapter 2- The Seven Principles -蔡荣章Rong-tsang Tsai

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《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

Chapter 2- The Seven Principles

Why is无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering conducted in such an unusual way? In essence, it represents the seven principles the ceremony embraces:

7. Seats determined by random drawing – an absence of hierarchy

Before the ceremony begins, participants will have to take a seat. Each of them has to draw a number and be seated accordingly. There is no pre-determined seating; no one knows whom will they be seating next to, and serving tea to, until they are seated. There is no hierarchical differentiation and no difficulty in finding a seat – just the way we were born. Don’t you think things will be made difficult if we can choose the family to born into?

The same goes with tea gatherings for parents and their children. The nature of random drawing is as such that children may not be serving tea to their own parents, and parents may not be offering tea to their own children. This is perhaps the perfect picture of the famous saying: “Respect the elderly as you would your parents, care for the young as you would your children”.

8. Tea offered in one direction – no action of reciprocity is expected

When the tea is brewed, it is offered to the next person(s) in the same direction. If the number of cups agreed for the day is four, and three of them will be offered to fellow tea drinkers on the left and the last one for oneself, it will be done exactly that way.

Tea is offered in cups during the first round; whereas, tea brewed during the second round will be poured into tea pitcher , which will then be poured into the cups you have offered. This means that person(s) being offered will be able to enjoy several rounds of your brew.

Alternative arrangements can be made. For example, one may be serving tea to the second, fourth and sixth fellow tea drinkers on the right, or the fifth, tenth and fifteenth fellow tea drinkers on the left, as long as the arrangement is made known before the ceremony begins. In sizable tea gatherings, the reach of tea serving can be extended.

A uni-directional flow of tea serving realizes the spirit of “expecting no reciprocity” – to put it simply, it is the appreciation of “doing something for nothing”, when a person doesn’t expect to be offered tea in return when he offers his. “Serving tea” is a laudable act in the Way of Tea. The experience is made even purer if we don’t have to worry about reciprocating.

For the sight-challenged, a person may serve tea to a fellow drinker on each side, while reserving one himself – this will save them the inconvenience of moving around to offer tea. In this circumstance, the spirit of mutual-help takes the place of reciprocity.

9. Accepting and appreciating tea of all kinds – setting aside personal preferences

Each attendant of the 无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering will have to bring along their own tea. As highlighted in the notification, any type of tea is welcome. This way, a participant may get to sample a different tea in each cup offered. As advocated by the Way of Tea, a person is to accept and appreciate tea without letting personal preferences get in the way. As it goes, preference rules out things you don’t like, which could be something intrinsically wonderful. By rejecting, we could be depriving ourselves of the blessings in life. What 无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering reminds us is exactly this – we have to set aside personal likes and dislikes in order to develop amicable relationships and cultivate goodwill, wherever we go.

From green tea, oolong tea to black tea, each has its unique color, aroma and taste. As tea drinkers, it is important for us to brew, present and enjoy each accordingly.

10. Making an effort to brew well – it is about getting better each time

There is no guarantee that each cup is masterfully brewed – chances are that a person will be served tea that is downright bitter and astringent, or bland and tasteless. When this is the case, there could be two types of emotional response: “Who made this? It is awful.” Or “I’ve messed up. Got to be careful.” As far as the Way of Tea goes, the latter attitude is encouraged, for the simple fact that “brewing a good pot”is basic. What is there to be explored if we can’t even brew our tea well? This is not unlike the study of music and art. It is pointless to talk about a certain realm induced by music when a person can’t even play the piano well; likewise, a person can’t possibly be elaborating on the use of lines and colours in bringing out a certain artistic mood if he hasn’t mastered the use of brushes. This is why no one is allowed to talk once the 无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gatheringbegins; there is only one mission – to brew a good pot.

When serving tea at the 无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering, we always reserve one for ourselves. This will enable us to assess the brewing, and make quick adjustment to improve during the next round. A bad brew is a disgrace to ourselves, disservice to the others, and yes, to the tea brewed. Just as our seniors keep reminding us, doing one’s task well is the single most important element in a person’s self-cultivation.

11. There is no event director or master of ceremonies – everything goes as agreed

The 无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering goes by pre-determined schedule and pre-agreed arrangement; there is no event director at the venue. If according to the schedule, venue set-up begins at 8.30, participants responsible for placing the seat number tag would be there on the dot. Participants responsible for drawing would have prepared the lots for fellow drinkers who begin arriving at 9, as scheduled. Seats will be taken according to the drawn lots. Participants will then lay out their tea wares, and socialize with fellow tea drinkers and admire others’ equipage. Brewing begins at 9.30, and that’s when everyone goes back to their seats, including those who were busy with drawing for seats a while ago. Tea will be served according to the agreed way after the first round of brewing. When a person has been offered the agreed number of cups, he may begin drinking. Tea from the second brewing will be served with a tea pitcher, followed by drinking, and so on. When the agreed rounds of serving and drinking have been made, participants may stay in their original places to enjoy music (if it has been arranged), while relishing the unique tea experience. At the end of the music session, participants will wipe clean the tea cups they have used with tea towel or paper towel, and bring along a tea tray to collect their own cups. Participants are not expected to dispose of tea residue. The Tea Ceremony is over when all tea wares have been packed. There is nobody directing or conducting the event flow – nevertheless, it goes like clockwork.

When everything is pre-arranged and pre-agreed, what’s the point of having someone there directing? For regular participants of the 无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering, following agreed rules is like second nature.

12. Observing silence during the Ceremony – appreciating mutual-understanding and the beauty of collective rhythm

When the “Tea ware appreciation and Socialization” time is up, everyone will stop talking and concentrate on brewing. In the course of brewing, participants will calm down, feel their own existence in this space, and appreciate their oneness with the world around. When tea is served, it is done in peace and silence. As participants offer tea to each other, they seem to have been strung by an invisible silk ribbon that moves rhythmically along with the gentle act of tea serving. In moments like these, words would be superfluous. There is no need for verbal expressions like “thank you” and “have some tea, please” – a slight bow, and a smile, will suffice.

The ideas of “silence” and “mutual-understanding” described here, as well as “the absence of directing” elaborated in the previous section, are pivotal to the success of a 无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering– only by keeping intervention to the minimum will it happen in as natural a way as the system of the universe, and the cycle of seasons.

13. To each his own – there is no restriction as to the school or regional practice in brewing

At a 无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering, the method of brewing is subject to no restriction, and this applies to differences in tea ware and tea leaves preferred by tea drinkers as influenced by certain schools, styles or regional background. The choice between teapots and lidded cups , preference with tea leaves or powdered tea , and that of the method and style of brewing are not matters of concern.

Regardless of such differences as in equipage, tea leaves, attire, language and places of origin, the Tea Ceremony calls for an effort in brewing a good pot and sharing it with fellow drinkers, be they new or old acquaintances, as determined by random drawing.

You may wonder, if there is no restriction whatsoever as to the tea ware and brewing method, and participants are required to accept and appreciate teas that come their way, does it mean that brewing will become a matter of chance? Make no mistake; 无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gatheringdoes observe the principle of “Making an effort to brew well”. Once you have decided on the tea presentation setting and brewing method, you will have to come up with the best possible setting and brew at the time of the congregation.

Meanwhile, it is true that there is no special requirement as to the attire and protocol; and yet, with the same principle of “getting better each time”, they should be appropriate for the occasion.

(1663)

無我茶會-第二章無我茶會特殊做法及七大精神-蔡荣章

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《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

第二章無我茶會特殊做法及七大精神

無我茶會為什麼要有上述的這些特殊做法呢？因為它包含了無我茶會的七大精神：

7.抽籤決定座位—無尊卑之分

茶會開始之前，要到會場安排座位，標示座次。與會人員到達後，抽號碼簽，然後依抽到的號碼就坐。事先誰也不知道會坐在誰的旁邊，誰也不知道會奉茶給誰喝。不但無尊卑之分，而且沒有找座位的煩惱，就如同我們的出生，如果可以挑選自己的父母，煩惱可就大了，不是嗎？

在親子一同參加的茶會場合，抽籤的結果，小朋友不一定奉茶給自己的爸爸媽媽，爸爸媽媽也不一定倒茶給自己的孩子喝，呈現出一幅「老吾老以及人之老，幼吾幼以及人之幼」的大同景象。

8.依同一方向奉茶—無報償之心

泡完茶，大家依同一方向奉茶，如今天約定:泡四杯，三杯奉給左鄰的三位茶侶，最後一杯留給自己。那就依約定把茶奉出去，第一道端著杯子出去奉茶，第二道以後把泡好的茶盛在茶盅內，端出去倒在自己原先奉出去的杯子內。意思是被奉者可以喝到您泡的數道茶湯。

奉茶的方式也可以改為奉給右邊第二、第四、第六位茶侶；也可以約定為：奉給左邊第五、第十、第十五位茶侶，後者在大型茶會時可將交叉奉茶的幅度擴大。

同一方向奉茶是一種“無所為而為”的奉茶方式，我奉茶給他，並不因為他奉茶給我，這是無我茶會想要提醒大家「放淡報償之心」的一種做法。「奉茶」本來就是茶道很好的一種作為，若能再忘掉報償，那就更無牽掛了。

在以盲友為主的茶會，可以做這樣的建議：每人奉茶給左右兩位茶友與自己一杯，這時的「互助」取代了「報償」，無需離座就可以完成奉茶的動作。

9.接納、欣賞各種茶——無好惡之心

無我茶會的茶是自己帶來的，而且在公告事項上是註明“種類不拘”，因此，每人喝到的數杯茶可能都是不一樣的茶。茶道要求人們以超然的心情，接納、欣賞各種茶，不要有好惡之心，因為好惡之心是不好的，會把很多“福氣”排除在外，您不喜歡的東西往往並不是壞的東西，只是您不喜歡它而已，所以無我茶會提醒人們放淡好惡之心，廣結善緣。

從綠茶、烏龍茶到紅茶，各種茶有各自不同的色香味與個性，我們應該尊重它們，並以它們的立場沖泡它、表現它、欣賞它。

10.努力把茶泡好——求精進之心

每一個人喝到的數杯茶不一定都泡得很好，往往會喝到一杯泡得又苦又澀或淡而無味的茶，這時可能會有兩種情緒反應：「哪一個人泡的？那麼難喝。」或「泡壞了，我可要小心。」茶道上當然尊崇後者的態度，因為「泡好茶」是茶道最基本的要求，茶都泡不好，遑論其他大道理。有如學音樂，連琴都沒能彈好，還談什麼以音樂表達某種境界？學美術，連彩筆都應用得不好，還談什麼以線條、色彩表現藝術的境界？所以無我茶會開始泡茶後就不准說話了，以便專心把茶泡好。

無我茶會奉茶時會為自己留一杯茶，就是便於瞭解自己的茶泡好了沒有，有何缺失下一道趕緊補救。把茶泡壞了，對不起別人，對不起自己，也對不起茶。長輩常告訴我們：把一件事情做好是為人最重要的修養。

11.無需指揮與司儀——遵守公共約定

無我茶會是依事先排定的程序與約定的做法進行，會場上不再有人指揮。例如排定八點半佈置會場，負責排放座位號碼牌的茶友就要開始到場工作，九點報到，負責抽籤的茶友就要將號碼簽準備好讓與會的茶友抽籤。抽完簽的人依號碼就坐，將茶具擺放出來，然後起身與其他茶友聯誼，並參觀別人帶來的茶具。九點半開始泡茶，大家自動回到自己座位，負責報到抽籤等工作的茶友這時也歸隊。泡完第一道茶，起來依約定的奉茶方式奉茶，自己被奉的數杯茶到齊後開始喝茶。看大家大致喝完了第一道茶，開始沖泡第二道，泡妥第二道茶，持茶盅出去奉第二道茶，接著喝第二道茶……，喝完最後一道茶，若排定有品茗後音樂欣賞，則靜坐原地，聆聽音樂，回味回味剛才的情境。音樂結束後，將自己用過的杯子用茶巾或紙巾擦拭一下，持奉茶盤出去收回自己的杯子。不用清理茶渣，將自己的茶具收拾妥當，結束茶會。這期間沒有人指揮，大家一個程序一個程序地依計畫進行。

事先都已經排妥，並約定好了，為什麼還要指揮？經常參加無我茶會，就可以養成遵守公共約定的習慣。

12.席間不語——培養默契，體現群體律動之美

“茶具觀摩與聯誼”時間一過，開始泡茶後就不可以說話了。等待茶葉浸泡期間，讓自己沉靜下來，體會一下自己存在於這個空間的感覺，體會一下自己與大地、與周遭事物結合的感覺。奉茶間，大家在一片寧靜的氣氛下，您奉茶給我，我奉茶給他，彼此間有如一條無形的絲帶牽引著，展現一波波律動之美。這時的話語是多餘的，甚至連「請喝茶」、「謝謝」的聲音都是不必要的，大家照面時只要鞠個躬，微微一笑就夠了。

這一節的「無聲」、「默契」與上一節的「無需指揮」，讓茶會的進行有如宇宙的運轉、季節的更替那般自然，那麼不露刀斧味。

13.泡茶方式不拘——無流派與地域之分

無我茶會的泡茶方式是不受限制的，這包括因流派、地域而造成茶具、茶葉的差異，如茶具可以是壺，可以是蓋碗，茶葉可以是葉形茶，可以是粉末茶，以及泡茶方法、風格等都不受任何限制。

茶具不同、茶葉不同、服裝不同、語言不同、國度地域不同，但大家在同一茶會方式下努力把自己帶來的茶泡好，泡好了茶，恭恭敬敬地把茶奉給抽籤遇到的認識或不認識的朋友。

茶具、泡法不拘，又要接納、欣賞各種茶，這不表示怎麼泡都可以了嗎？但是無我茶會有「求精進之心」一條，當您選定了茶席與泡茶的方式，就要把茶席佈置得您當時所能的最好，將茶泡到您當時可能的最好。

服裝不拘，也不要求與會者執行過多的禮貌，但在「求精進之心」的原則下，兩者都要做出合符當時情景的需要。

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無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering-Chapter 1- The Basic Model -蔡荣章Rong-tsang Tsai

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《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

Chapter 1-The Basic Model

无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering is a form of tea gathering that requires participants to bring along their own tea wares. Sitting in a circle, each participant is to brew four cups of tea, three of which will be offered to fellow tea drinkers on the right or left, saving the remaining to oneself. As such, each person will be drinking four cups of tea. After the agreed rounds of brewing, everyone will pack up – this is when the ceremony comes to an end.

Seats will be determined by random drawing upon arrival. Each participant would have known the procedure and the way the ceremony is to be conducted, having received notification from the organizer beforehand. There is no event director or master of ceremonies during the congregation – everything will follow the pre-agreed arrangement. Quietly, each participant brews tea; there is no restriction as to the school or regional practices imposed on the style of the equipage and brewing technique.

After the last round of tea is taken, the organizer has the option of arranging a 5-minute session of music appreciation, to let the flavor settle in, or induce reflection on the tea ceremony. Other activities can also be arranged when the tea ceremony is over.

Such is the basic model of a 无我茶会Sans Self Tea Gathering. Here is a summary of the above:

1.Sitting in circle, everyone brews, serves and drinks tea.

2.Seats are determined by random drawing.

3.Tea is to be served to the person sitting next to you (on the left or right, in one direction).

4.Tea wares, tea leaves and water for brewing are to be brought along by the participants.

5.Number of cups and brewing, and the way to serve tea is agreed upon beforehand; the event flow is also pre-determined.

6.No talking is allowed throughout the ceremony.

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無我茶會-第一章無我茶會基本形式-蔡荣章

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《無我茶會Sans Self Tea Gathering 180條》

蔡荣章著Author:Rong-tsang Tsai

第一章無我茶會基本形式

無我茶會是一種茶會形式，大家自備茶具，席地圍成圈圈泡茶，倘若約定每人泡茶四杯，泡好茶就把三杯奉給左鄰或右鄰的三位茶侶，一杯留給自己，這樣每人就都有四杯茶可喝。喝完約定的泡數，如泡三道茶，收拾好自己的茶具，結束茶會。

座次到了會場才臨時抽籤決定。茶會進行的程序、方法已經寫在事先發給大家的「公告事項」內，所以茶會進行間沒有指揮與司儀，一切依排定的程序進行，大家也都安安靜靜地泡茶。茶具的種類與泡茶的方式不受任何流派與地域的限制。

喝完最後一道茶，可以安排五分鐘以內的音樂欣賞，烘托茶味並回味茶會情境,也可以在茶會結束後進行其他活動。

以上就是無我茶會的基本形式，現將上面的敘述整理成條文如下：

1.圍成圈圈，人人泡茶，人人奉茶，人人喝茶

2.抽籤決定座位

3.依同一方向奉茶（向左或向右）

4.自備茶具、茶葉與泡茶用水

5.事先約定泡茶杯數、泡茶次數、奉茶方法，並排定會程

6.席間不語

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