Biluochun is produced on Dongting Mountain in Wuxian County, Jiangsu Province. It is a treasure among China's famous teas, renowned for its beautiful shape, vibrant color, rich fragrance, and mellow taste—the “four excellences.” There are many stories about when Biluochun originated and how it got its name. According to the Qing Dynasty's “Miscellaneous History” (Volume 1), “On the stone walls of Biluo Peak on East Dongting Mountain, there grow several wild tea plants. Locals call this tea ‘Scared-to-Death Fragrance.' During the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the year of the rabbit (1691) … Governor Zhu Luo procured this tea as an offering… As its name was considered coarse, he renamed it Biluochun. Since then, local officials have annually collected and offered it to the imperial court.” Another legend states that during the Ming dynasty, Premier Wang Ao, a native of Luxiang Village on East Mountain, named the tea Biluochun. According to “Records of Sightings,” “Dongting Mountain produces a tea that is slightly similar to the tea from Mount Jia but finer in texture and very fragrant. It is commonly known as ‘Scared-to-Death' with those grown on Biluo Peak being the best, called ‘Biluochun.'” If we take this as true, then Biluochun tea would have originated during the Ming Dynasty and already had a distinguished reputation before Emperor Qianlong's southern tours. Some believe that Biluochun got its name because the tea leaves curl like snail shells, are bright green, and are picked in early spring. Regardless of how Biluochun got its name, there is no doubt that the tea has a long history and was once an imperial tribute. Historically, Biluochun was crowned supreme among teas. Its characteristics are: slender, curled leaves covered in fine hairs, a Silver-green hue, a rich aroma, a fresh and full-bodied taste, a clear green liquor, and bright green leaves at the bottom of the Cup. It is described by local tea farmers as having “copper wire-like strips, a spiral shape, covered in fuzz, with floral and fruity flavors, fresh and sweet.”
The Biluochun is slender and curled like a snail, covered in fine white hairs, and has a bright green color and a natural floral and fruity quality. It is known for its “three freshes”: a fresh aroma, a fresh taste, and a vibrant color. This tea is characterized by “one tenderness (young shoots and leaves) and three freshes (color, aroma, and taste).” It is made from young shoots just beginning to unfurl, known colloquially as “sparrow tongues.” Fresh Biluochun has a clear, fresh cream-like aroma, a clear green liquor, bright green leaves at the bottom of the cup, a fragrant aroma, and a mild taste. The tea is fresh and sweet in the mouth and leaves a lingering aftertaste. “Everywhere in the mountains, greenery flies; the fragrance of Biluochun can intoxicate for miles around.”
There are four ways to appreciate tea: tranquility, slowness, subtlety, and warmth. To enjoy Biluochun, one should focus on warmth. An old saying goes, “The essence floats above, while the heavier and turbid parts settle below.” Drinking warm tea allows one to savor the essence. The first infusion of Biluochun is light in color with a subtle fragrance and elegant taste; the second infusion is bright green, fragrant, and full-bodied; the third infusion is deep green with a strong aroma and a sweet aftertaste. Tea is best appreciated over three infusions, and one should reflect on oneself three times a day. The third infusion brings a sweet aftertaste, and the third reflection cultivates one's character.
Self-reflection Requires Constant Self-Overcoming
Self-reflection is a remedy for personal cultivation in Chinese traditional culture. Confucius famously said, “I examine myself three times each day.” He also had many insightful sayings, such as “When you see someone of virtue, think of becoming like them; when you see someone without virtue, reflect on yourself.” Xunzi also said, “A gentleman who studies widely and reflects on himself daily will have clear knowledge and act without error.” Strict self-reflection, constant introspection, is a powerful driving force for self-improvement. An excellent person, a great nation, must possess the trait of being good at self-reflection.
Life is a process that is both short and long, and mistakes, errors, and shortcomings are inevitable. Reading “Journey to the West,” there is a story that left a lasting impression. When Sun Wukong arrives in a foreign land on his journey to the West, he publicly performs surgery on himself and examines his heart in front of everyone. Surprisingly, among the red hearts, cautious hearts, and other “good hearts,” there are also miserly hearts, hearts for fame and fortune, jealous hearts, calculating hearts, competitive hearts, fearful hearts, deluded hearts, and other “bad hearts.” Even a monkey is brave enough to dissect itself; how much more so should we humans be?
The principle of putting oneself in another's shoes requires one to remain detached from one's affairs. “Insights gained through others' words may be understood but can still lead to confusion; nothing compares to one's own understanding.” One can apply this thinking to various unfulfilled wishes, gaining correct insights and objective treatment. Otherwise, one might try to cut down all the trees in the world with a non-existent axe or finally find a shoe that fits only to discover it is out of style.
Those who can defeat strong enemies are those who first overcome themselves. Self-reflection is a prerequisite for self-overcoming. What does it mean to overcome oneself? Everyone desires success and knows that constant effort is needed to achieve it. This simple truth is understood by almost everyone, yet why do so few people succeed? Why is it that people know what to do but cannot do it? Because they fail to “overcome themselves.”
Ultimately, the level of self-reflection is insufficient.
To understand oneself, one must recognize one's strengths and weaknesses, ideals, and aspirations. Giving oneself an objective evaluation helps identify areas where one needs to “overcome oneself” and understand the necessity and strategy for doing so. Self-reflection is not a one-time event but a repeated process. Continuously reflecting on and clarifying one's thoughts allows beneficial experiences to settle and transform into life lessons, providing the capital to overcome oneself.
Self-reflection allows the soul to return to nature and purity. We have lost the carefree happiness of our childhood, while the children around us continue to experience it. What do children have that we lack? Simplicity.
Experiencing Simplicity
A little girl walks to school every day. One morning, the weather turned bad, with clouds thickening, winds picking up, and eventually thunder, lightning, and heavy rain. Her mother became very worried, fearing that her daughter would be frightened by the thunder or struck by lightning. The storm grew fiercer, with lightning piercing the sky like a sharp sword. The girl's mother quickly drove along the route to school to look for her daughter. She found her walking alone on the street and noticed that every time there was lightning, the girl would stop, look up, and smile. After watching for a while, the mother couldn't resist calling out to her child, asking, “What are you doing?” The girl replied, “God is taking my picture, so I'm smiling!”
Facing the world with the innocence of a child, perhaps you'll see thunder and lightning as God taking pictures. Don't easily let your mood fall into darkness. Change your perspective, and you won't miss the beauty. Simplicity is a kind of beauty. You can gain a sense of beauty from the world through your own simplicity and appreciate the simplicity of others, achieving a kind of resonance. Cherish simplicity and leave a space for it in your heart. Treat others with a bit more simplicity, and the world will be a better place!
One day, on a TV program, a well-known host interviewed a little boy, asking, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
The boy answered innocently, “Um… I want to be a pilot!”
The host continued