Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto’s Buddha’s Light Center in Waterloo held an Autumn Tea Meditation on October 11, welcoming around twenty community members to experience mindfulness through tea.

Venerable Zhi Guan opened the session with warm greetings and shared the Chan insight of Venerable Master Xu Yun: “A cup smashes into the ground,the sound sharp and distinct. As emptiness becomes shattered, the unrestrained mind instantly calms.”

The event featured young tea meditation practitioners Christine Huang and Michelle Zhou, who guided participants in focusing the mind, calming the body, and cultivating inner stillness through mindful tea preparation. As gentle music played, participants closed their eyes, inhaled the tea’s aroma, and savored each sip with full awareness—immersing themselves in the serene joy of Chan in the present moment.

In the afternoon, a Tea Meditation Practitioner Training was held for members of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Toronto Waterloo Subchapter. Twelve members participated attentively as Christine demonstrated each step of brewing and serving tea—from opening the tea caddy and observing the leaves to brewing and tasting. She encouraged everyone to help share the Dharma through the art of tea and to actively support the center’s outreach efforts.

Michelle Zhou, serving as tea meditation practitioner for the first time, shared that although she initially felt nervous, she soon found calm by focusing on the tea and the present moment. She reflected that tea meditation is not only an art but also a form of meditation—helping one slow down, center the mind, and experience tranquility.

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