Teaism

Teaism is a term coined by Okakura Kakuzo in his The Book of Tea. It is a synthesis of Taoism, Zen, or Zennism as he called it, and the Chinese use of tea. It is likely that it alludes more to the Taoist influences on Zen, and subsequently the Chado, or the Japanese Tea Ceremony, as he makes the statement, 'A subtle philosophy lay behind it all. Teaism was Taoism in disguise.' It would seem that Teaism is mostly a simplistic mode of aesthetics, but there are subtle insights into ethics, and even metaphysics. In the first part of the book, Teaism is brought out for its Taoist origins; but in the second half, it is shown through its manifestations in the Chado and in Japanese culture in general. Teaism is related to teamind. A sense of focus and concentration while under the influence of great tasting tea. Teaist is a person who performs or enjoys the art of tea and teaism.

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