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Home > MyungWon Tea Culture >
Traditional Tea Ceremony |
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With Buddhism as the national religion and tea favored by the
Buddhist priests, tea culture further blossomed in Korea. The
popularity of tea further expanded from the Royal Court,
Buddhist priests to scholars, literati and public at large. Tea
ceremonies were routinely conducted for the affairs of the royal
court and Buddhist rituals. Kings bestowed tea as royal gift to
his subjects and people. With expanded popularity of tea, the
Royal court established a special tea agency, DaBang (茶房) to
oversee tea supply, and officiate tea ceremony at the royal
court. Tea villages, DaSoh (茶所), sprung up near Buddhist temples
to grow and supply tea to temples. Teaware became important
collectables among Buddhist priests and the nobility.
Buddhist events of national importance such as YeonDungHwae
(lighting of lanterns to greet Buddha) accompanied ceremonial
offerings of tea to the King. The court developed an elaborate
ritual for drinking tea. All national events and court
ceremonies accompanied tea and included a tea ceremony to the
king before serving wine and fruits to the king. Pavilions and
arbors were built for the purpose of holding tea parties and
poetry readings for court officials. A ceremonial tea-drinking
code thus developed in the court.
Tea drinking was widely embraced by scholars. The aristocratic
way of drinking tea took the form of parties at scenic locations
involving music, dance, poetry and even wine. It was great honor
to be invited for the tea outings as it required certain
qualifications and status. Courtesy and etiquette were properly
followed at these ceremonies.
The tradition of composing verses in praise of tea started
during this period. Scholars considered tea drinking as a means
to clarify mind and treated tea as a means to experience the
true status of nature.. There existed DaWon (茶院) and DaJum (茶店)
where officials and people can enjoy tea throughout the country.
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