Tea master blends peace with ritual of ceremony

By Noelle Chun
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	Public lectures "Invitation to Japanese Culture: Commemorating 150 years of U.S.-Japan Relations" Free lecture by Genshitsu Sen 1 p.m. today Honolulu Academy of Arts 543-3111 "An International Affair" The East-West Center Foundation's annual dinner 7 p.m. tomorrow Individual seats, $100 The Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom Reservations: 944-7176

His message, regardless of audience status, is always the same: Tea is a place of commonality, void of class distinction. It can be a bridge to peace.

He speaks of how one can present tea to anyone, whether king or pauper, and how the ceremony revolves around the guest, guided by the principles of peace and harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.

The East West Center will recognize Sen's "Peacefulness Through a Bowl of Tea" philosophy at tomorrow's "An International Affair" banquet at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Sen will receive the Asia Pacific Building Award Community Award. A silent auction precedes the program.

Sen also gives a lecture today at the Honolulu Academy of Arts regarding Japanese culture.

Sen has given more than 300 lectures and ceremonies on tea and peace. He believes in a strict protocol for the tea server which can take years to master.

At the same time, he remains unintrusive when he serves. He asks his guests to consider the tea's green color, which represents peace, and to drink it with a peaceful and quiet heart.

"This award is significant to me because it is a symbol that tells me that I am doing the right thing, that I am on the right path, that I was not wrong in my thinking," Sen said. "I hope to be able to contribute more peace to the world through the tea ceremony until my death."