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Origination Tea Cup (Poem)
steam rises from the tea. consider these things
how did this cup come to be?
a skilled artisan learned from skilled potters who learned from their teachers and so on
a ceramic with multiple sources, and also the celadon glaze
a kiln in which it was fired; wood that provided heat
a building itself that housed this all
thus it is with the tea
tea farmers, masters all, helped by family and community and so on
(Only a village produces fine tea.)
trees dependent upon rain, earth, and light
countless different elements interconnected
change one, and the whole transforms
each lift of the cup and sip of the tea,
the entire world is joined
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Chimerical Home (Poem)
We all abide in temporary dwellings; none of our houses do we own.
Whatever contract we established; whatever money we paid;
Our residence remains ephemeral and always subject to sudden change.
No matter what we devote to maintenance and decoration,
We leave in the end for another transient domicile.
Another moves in to change all our endeavors.
Consider carefully where we place our time and effort.
Wherever we go, we take only ourselves. Where then should be our attention?
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Reality Tea Cup (Poem)
Steam rises from the tea.
Consider these things.
When I lift the tea cup, I do so with wonder.
I do not think, “oh, if only I had a different vessel!”
When I sip the tea, I do so with appreciation.
I do not think, “oh, if only this were a different drink!”
This is the cup; this is the tea.
Right here; right now; where I am in this moment.
I drink with gratitude and enjoyment.
