Spirit of Tea Shown in the Tea Poems of Zen Master Gyeongbong

Zen Master Gyeongbong (1892-1982) was a representative Zen monk of modern and contemporary Buddhism in Korea and a tea monk who led Zen tea culture. He was well-versed in poetry, calligraphy, painting, tea, and Zen and was called one of the five perfections. He was also highly regarded for his artistry. While continuing his intense Zen practice, Gyeongbong delivered many sermons to educate sentient beings and left behind 32 tea poems that combined tea and Zen. Based on the Zen style of daily tea, Gyeongbong preached that everyday life is Budda's Dharma. Gyeongbong's attempt to popularize tea drinking and practice Zen through Yeomdarae's Ilwancheongda was a continuation of Joju's tea culture. Gyeongbong's teaching that “we should use the Saha world as a stage and put on a great play” is to practice the spirit of Daseonilmi in that tea and Zen are one in people's daily lives. In this way, Gyeongbong comforted and encouraged the four classes of people through tea and Zen, giving them courage and hope so that they could live in the world with compassion. Gyeongbong's tea spirit is significant because it can serve as a guide for modern people who are wandering without finding their original place in their hearts.