flowing clear and beautiful, a good place to offer ashes of husband and father, a good place to offer "A Bowl of Tea for Peace," a good place to share a bowl of tea with local people.
This is Ganga Maiya, Mother Ganges. A quiet family event with not so much to say. Just these words from Naomi-san: "It was my pleasure. I am very glad to offer "A Bowl of Tea for Peace into the Four Directions. With our children at Ganga Maiya. I think this River Ganges is one of the most peaceful places I know in the world. Thank you again.....Naomi."
This place is close to the place of Shakyamuni's birth in Nepal, and close to the place of his first teachings at the Deer Park in Varanasi.
SACRED WATER-Lucca in Toscano
Most well known for excellente balsamico, Lucca is the place of a completely unassuming water well that has a history of almost 2000 years.
Usually we say Chado, but some people say cha-no-yu, or hot water for tea. In both cases there is profound respect for the water that is central to a tea gathering. Traditionally, the host will rise at the Hour of the Tiger, go to the well, request permission from the spirits who guard this well, then with great respect haul-up the cold water that will be used for cooking the rice and soup, for rinsing the hands and mouth and heart in the roji tea-garden,
for the flower container, for the cold water container, for the kettle over the charcoal-fire, and for the several bowls of tea. All this is for the guest who will arrive hours later. The Hour of the Tiger is from 4-6 in the early morning, and is regarded as the Beginning of Activities. Basically, water is at the core of our existence, water is what we need if we are to continue life on this planet. This reliance on water, this deeply felt respect for water; this is basically what we celebrate in the Way of Tea. And so sitting in an ordinary outdoor ristorante (which of course means wonderful pasta and pizza and wine!),
looking out onto the plaza of just one more water fountain, it was quite a surprise to learn that this water fountain has been a source of water for the people of Lucca since 182. For almost 2000 years, people come here to take pure water.
And overlooking all these comings and goings is the Roman guardian of this well. She is so youthful and so beautiful and so careful to protect this source of water for us. With great gratitude and appreciation, we spontaneuosly offer "A Bowl of Tea into the Four Directions." May we return to the ancient wisdom which respects the spirit of water, the spirit of earth, the spirit of fire, the spirit of wind. This respect and this return to ancient wisdom, this is one reason why we study this ancient art.