Buddhist filmmaker Edward A. Burger takes us into the corridors and halls of China’s most revered Buddhist monasteries where we turn our attention to the simple but enigmatic phrase: 

禪茶一味

Chán and tea are one flavor

Tea is an indispensable and defining feature of the Chán/Zen experience. It is woven into the poetry, art, teachings and rituals that define Chán Buddhist culture and practice in China. But why tea? Why is a humble cup of tea so often at the meeting point of Chán’s essence and form — a sword that shatters dualities?

In China’s historic cradle of art and wisdom traditions, we attend centuries-old Buddhist tea rituals and meet the monastics, scholars and laypeople who keep them alive in our time. Through the filmmaker’s inquiring lens we enter a world of “one flavor”, where tea is not only a revered plant rich with mysterious qualities, but also a culture, a way of life and a path to awakening. As Chán wisdom sheds light on the subtle beauty of tea, we discover fresh perspectives on the Buddha’s teachings, applicable to our own lives.

WAKING UP offers an intimate, insider’s look at the distinctive elements of Chán Buddhist practice in China — elements rarely seen on film. As the world embraces Chinese tea not only for its health benefits but also for its spiritual and creative dimensions, WAKING UP offers a timely and essential exploration of the vital intersection of Chán and tea. This is a film for Buddhists, spiritual seekers, tea enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the profound connections between the everyday and the eternal.