A Disciple of Tea. When the Teacher Becomes the Student
- Tea Fairy Dawn/Li Xiaoying
- Mar 25, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 4, 2024
Years of feeling a calling to go to China finally became a reality in 2022. An American trying to move to China during the COVID pandemic was no small undertaking and definitely designed only for those who truly want to be there. There was no doubt to family and friends that this was not just a whim but a well thought out decision and plan for my life. This American woman packed up her life into a few suitcases and left one life to begin another.
As the plane touched down in Shanghai, tears of joy fell down my cheeks. I had really done it. My dreams were now a reality. I would teach in China. I would make an impact on my students’ lives and help them reach their goals. I would have an opportunity to travel across a country with such diverse geography and people. I would be free to discover my true self without all the pressure we Americans tend to put on ourselves and others.
After ten days in Shanghai for quarantine, which is an article unto itself, I took the high-speed rail to my new home city of Nanyang in Henan Province which is in central China. This was not only my first time on a high-speed rail but also on a passenger train. It was amazing! The train was clean, comfortable, roomy, and kept at the perfect temperature. The attendants were kind and helpful and they had great snacks and food! I loved watching all the different topography as we crossed into central China. Mountains, rivers, grasslands, farmlands, it was magical. I could not get enough of the beauty I saw out my window. I arrived in Nanyang after a 6 hour journey and immediately felt at home. A beautiful city known for its roses did not disappoint. Even in the fall, roses bloomed all around me. Flowers lined bridges crossing the White River. The White River or Bai He as it is called in Mandarin, is a very large river that winds along the city. It is has beautiful parks and walking trails on either side. Manicured plants and trees lined the city streets. It is a city that draws you in with its beauty. (You can learn more about my travels and see many beautiful pictures by reading my blogs' "travel" section.)
I immediately went to meet my contact for the university. I would be teaching Oral English to both freshmen and double majors at Nanyang Normal University. I was shown my apartment which overlooked one of the campus parks. The view is exquisite and very peaceful. I spent the first week taking care of requirements to get my residents permit and get ready to begin teaching. It was a daunting process but also fun. Everything was new. Not just a language but everything was completely different than what a girl from Texas had known. I was excited to finally see my classroom and meet my students. (To learn about teaching in China and other aspects of living in China, read my blogs' "Life" section)
A Chinese teacher learned that I was a tea lover. She offered to introduce me to a tea master on our campus who would be giving a presentation about tea ceremony here in China. A fun opportunity of something I already had a passion about. She arranged for him to take me to the city museum where he would speak. I had no idea that this meeting would forever change my life.
When he picked me up at the gate of my community, he smiled and said,”Hello!”, then apologized for his poor English skills. I didn't mind at all. It made me practice my Mandarin skills. We also could use translation apps on our phones. That would come in very handy when trying to understand "Nanyanghua", the dialect of the people in Nanyang. I apologized for my child-like excitement, because as we drove across the city and along the White River, every tree, plant, flower, bird, car, building, river, light pole, was new and exciting and I would point and smile and laugh. When I saw a park of people flying kites, I was truly amazed. I had never seen so many kites before and especially as large and as high as these were flying. His demeanor was my first inkling into what a tea master is like. With his gentle spirit and smile he made me feel comfortable as though I was with a friend I had known for a lifetime. He found my excitement to be contagious and he began to point things out to me.
When we arrived at the city museum it was a spectacular sight to behold. A park and plaza with huge water feature lead up to this building the size of some stadiums. He led me into an elevator up to a tearoom that overlooks the plaza. But that does not do it justice. It is stepping into another world. Traditional floral arrangements, antiques, incense, and tea items made of porcelain, glass, stone, clay, and wood. Artwork from the Han Dynasty and Chinese Modern art adorned the walls. I honestly thought I walked into another realm or ancient dynasty. I felt as a foreigner I might be intruding on something so very sacred. That concern was very short lived. His apprentices met us as soon as we entered and immediately made me feel welcomed and at home. He proceeded to make me tea. I watched him make this tea. His mastery, his passion, and his happiness were on display as he made tea especially for me. ( It was genuinely the best cup of tea I have ever had in my life.) The smile and light in his eyes as he served me tea is something I will never forget. A renowned tea master made and served tea to an American girl from Texas with such a sense of honor and appreciation. No sense of arrogance or pride that you would expect from someone who has achieved such a status. Afterwards, as I finished the Song Dynasty whipped tea he had made for me, his apprentices linked their arms in mine and led me to an area and helped me change into an authentic Chinese tea dress. I felt like a little girl playing dress up. It was such fun!
I knew at this point, I wanted to know more, learn more. Why did this room feel so calm and happy? Why were the people moving with such grace and gentleness? I always knew that my relationship to tea was much more spiritual than most of my fellow Texans who just saw it as a thirst quenching drink on a hot summer’s day. I had always seen tea as a way to help me focus, remain calm, and stay healthy. But this, this was magical. I then sat at a beautiful wood and stone carved table with a few other people. This is a tea table designed specifically for making, serving, and drinking tea. I watched how tea was served and was able to partake and engage in conversation. It was all new and fun for me. Plus, I was drinking tea in China! The place where tea originated. Not tea in a bag, a bottle, or from a machine, but fresh loose leaf tea that was being prepared and served in such a reverent way. I was in awe and truly happy. I felt very much a part and accepted by these special tea people.
Once the attendees arrived, I was seated with his apprentices and watched him perform pure magic. The ritual of tea ceremony was on display, and I was captivated. I didn’t just want but needed to learn more. Afterwards, I was told I was now part of their tea family. I felt very honored and was excited to spend more time with them. The tearoom was now to become a second home for me. I wanted to be there as much as possible. I had no idea that this tea master would not only become my best friend here in China but would also give me the biggest gift in my life, tea ceremony.
Through his friendship and guidance, I am becoming the person I always wanted to be. He began to teach me about traditional Chinese culture. We would discuss philosophy. He gave me classic Chinese literature to read and study. He would explain customs for holidays. He would explain when to meditate and practice breathing, when to eat, when to sleep according to ancient Chinese time. But he also began to teach me about the concept of tea. I now study, read, meditate, and drink tea every day. I find that happiness isn’t just something I feel externally but something that radiates from me internally. I find happiness and appreciate the smallest of things in this world, like my Magpie that sings to me almost every day. The way the sun rises and watches over me wherever I go and makes me feel safe and warm in its light. The beautiful colors of flowers, the laughter of children in a park, the smile of the elderly woman that greets me every morning on my way to classes.
I have a newfound sense of peace, joy, and confidence. I have found passion for life I never knew could exist and a desire to learn and become more enlightened every day. Practicing tea every day is not just a hobby it is a way of life. It also has given me a family here in China plus engaging and enlightening conversations with friends and strangers wherever I go here in China. I am not saying that there have been no bumps in the road in my journey. Of course, when you move to a country with a different culture, language, monetary system, education system, just to name a few, it is impossible for everything to be perfect. But tea ceremony has helped me to navigate these troubles with a different perspective and a sense of calm. My tea family are a huge support system and have taught me so much about China, tea, and life.
I came to China to teach and became a student myself. I began to spend all my spare time either at the museum or at the school studio. I would help with events, attend classes, and even began training in photography to assist in ways where there wasn’t quite a language barrier. After months of wonderful friendship, mentorship, and family, the tea master asked me to become his 4th apprentice or disciple/ di zi. I would be the first foreign apprentice. We had many in depth talks. He wanted me to understand the meaning of master/disciple relationship in Chinese culture and why it has such a strong and deep meaning. In many ways this bond is stronger than your blood family. It is a lifetime commitment. You will learn the master’s school or way of doing things and this includes things that cannot be shared outside with others.
Apprentice Ceremony, Nanyang City Museum, Nanyang
I agreed and he and his apprentices held a ceremony for us at the city museum. Leaders from the province, city and university as well as other honored guests would attend. There would be a professional host as well. In this ceremony we would exchange written vows that would be recited in Chinese with the tea master and then serve him tea. I would also serve tea to my shi jie’s, or sworn disciple sisters. They would give me gifts welcoming me into the family. Afterwards we would have a group picture and go to an elaborate celebration luncheon. Now the tea master, my best friend, is also my shifu or master. Master Li Wenjing had long before the ceremony given me my Chinese name, Li Xiaoying and said that I was apart of his family forever. After becoming his apprentice, I truly felt the impact of the name he gave me. I will not only carry his name but his legacy and pass it on others in time.
Now, to say that I feel I am living a life like in a Chinese costume drama or fantasy novel is honestly not too far from the truth. I would never have thought my life would become what it has. I am grateful to my family and friends back home who encouraged me to go have new experiences. I am grateful for the university for providing me a wonderful home and job here in China. I am also grateful to the wonderful Chinese teacher who sent me to have tea one day. I am grateful to the tea master who befriended this American girl and helped change my life for the better. I want to bring my new and ever-growing knowledge into my classroom and all other aspects of my life. From early on I began to hope one day to take tea ceremony to America and share this precious part of Chinese culture. I hope you will continue to follow me on my journey here in China and my path to enlightenment through tea. I want Fairy Crane Tea to not only be a successful and prosperous business but also be a light full of inspiration and knowledge that helps each person on their own path as well as bring a sense of harmony to us all.
With Light and Harmony,
Your Tea Fairy Dawn
李笑樱 (Li Xiaoying)
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