"Teacher Appreciation Thanksgiving Festival" Gentleman Tea Ceremony

There is an interesting event at the Confucius Temple in Taipei which is called "Revitalizing Confucianism – A Journey through the Confucius Temple Display, Presentation, and Experience - Ancient Sacrificial Rites to Confucius". There are several activities from October 2010 to July 2011. For more information, please check the website of Revitalizing Confucianism.


Last year was the 2560th anniversary of Confucius’ birthday. Every Taiwanese was taught about Confucius' theories since in school and even in kindergarten. Confucius mostly taught his disciples on the manners, behavior, attitude and how to be a "Junzi" -- gentleman. That is the "Confucian thoughts" and confucianism and they are also related with tea.  For many of tea lovers, they are not only enjoying on "drinking" tea but "appreciating" and seeking for the value and meaning of life.  By the tea ceremony, that could be a good way to express how we respect Confucius. ... ...




"Teacher Appreciation Thanksgiving Festival" Gentleman Tea Ceremony
Date:  2010.10.12 ~ 2011.01.12
Time: Tuesday to Friday, 3:00 ~ 3:30 pm
          Saturday, 10:00 ~ 10:30 am
          Sunday, 9:00 ~ 9:30 am / 3:00 ~ 3:30 pm


On the 28th of September, 2010, we celebrated the 2560th anniversary of Confucius’ birthday with the Gentleman’s Tea Ceremony to show our gratitude towards all teachers. The Gentleman’s Tea Ceremony is performed in the “Thanking Ritual for Teachers” to show the tea culture in Taiwan as well as to express gratefulness towards teachers.


Confucius: “With righteousness as his substance, the gentleman acts in accordance with the rites, expresses himself with humility, and is complete with trustworthiness. He is a gentleman indeed!”


The Gentleman’s Tea Ceremony event step by step:


1. Registration. Please arrive at the information counter thirty minutes before the event starts and remember to take a questionnaire sheet with you.
2. Join the tea ceremony. Please follow our guides to your seat.
3. Please stand up before the ceremony starts.
4. Offering of tea to the Great Sage. Display and presentation of the tea arts. Offering our toast to Confucius with Gentleman’s tea.
5. Praising with hymns. Read to Confucius, hymns and eulogy. Take the bow three times.
6. Please be seated again.
7. The first infusion. Getting to know the Gentleman’s Tea Ceremony. Follow the tea master’s instruction to toast your neighbors.
8. The second infusion. Get to know Pouchong tea. The tea master will invite the participating guests to taste the tea.
9. The third infusion. Get to know Taiwan tea arts.
10. Finishing up of the ceremony. Stand up and bow three times to Confucius and bow to your neighbors in a gesture of respect and appreciation.
11. Picture time. You can have a group picture taken with the tea master and friends.
12. Return your questionnaire. Please fill in the questionnaire and return it to the information counter in exchange for a gift.