Fivelements :: Balinese Healing, Living foods, Sacred Arts
A Japanese Tea Presentation and Dinner at Fivelements, Puri Ahimsa
7 September 2011
The drinking of Matcha tea from China was introduced to Japan together with Zen over 800 years ago. Buddhist monks began to explore this art form in temples and other sites in the hills northwest of Kyoto. Though strongly influenced by Zen, the transformation of the Japanese tea ceremony began in the 1480’s outside the temples among the ruling class and merchants from whom spread to the rest of the privileged. Over the next hundred years, the simple tea ceremony grew into the form we know and practice today – a ritual representing the principles of harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity.
Chanoyu, the ceremony surrounding the serving of powdered green tea, is a synthesis of many Japanese arts with the focus of preparing and serving tea with a pure heart and a means of self-cultivation.
Chado, the way of tea, in its subtle way, is perhaps one of the largest contributions Japan has ever made to the cultural life of the world, believes Japanese tea master, Søren Bisgaard. In chado one learns to value each fleeting moment. Each encounter between the host and guest is unique. It has never been experienced before and will never be repeated again. It exists only in that very moment, so you have to pay attention to the present with all your heart and mind. When everyone’s attention is focused on the moment, that moment becomes eternal.
Today, Japanese tea master, Søren, travels around the world introducing Chanoyu to many people for the first time. He believes that when people come together to share a bowl of tea through chado, goodwill and peace can be realised.
About the Tea Master, Søren M. Chr. Bisgaard
Native to Copenhagen, Denmark, Søren became interested in philosophy at the age of 15, visited the Oracle of Delphi at 18 and became a sannyasin monk at the age of 20. He initiated interest in Indian philosophy and religion among the youth in Denmark, which led to the foundation of a monastery. After having studied sanskrit, philosophy and Japanese language at Copenhagen University, Søren began his journey across the world.
Arriving in Japan in 1976, Søren immersed himself in the study of Japanese tea ceremony, joining the Urasenke Midorikai program in Kyoto, where he continues his studies to this day. Over the years, Søren’s devotion, practice and embodiment of chado, the way of tea, has earned him significant recognition as a well sought after tea master in Japan, Denmark and beyond.
Please join us in this rare opportunity to share eternal moments through tea, followed by a Japanese inspired, living foods dinner at Fivelements.
Rp. 550,000 per person, Presentation & Dinner
Rp. 350,000 per person, Presentation only
