August 8, 2020

A Journey of Cultivation

Tea lovers believe that tea speaks. They understand that its beauty and essence lie in its preparation. The intention, patience, and wellness we cultivate are what we pour into our daily lives. It is fitting, then, that the story of Pure Land Tea and its founder, Master Wang, embodies all of these qualities and more.

Master Wang: A Life Rooted in Tea

Honoring Tradition

Master Wang cherished his homeland, Yunnan, China. Even after moving to the United States, he remained devoted to sharing the best of his culture—authentic, high-quality tea. His life mission of wellness and education ran deeply, like the roots of the ancient tea trees in Yunnan Province.

Preparation: The Foundations of a Tea Master

Wang Hong was born in 1965 in Tengchong, a jade-polishing village in western Yunnan. The southwest of this province, Xishuangbanna, is the original home of all tea—Camellia sinensis assamica and Camellia sinensis sinensis. His childhood was steeped in the aroma of tea leaves and the rituals of tea preparation.

Though he did not yet realize it, his path toward tea mastery began with his studies. He earned an MA in International Economics from Beijing University of Business, a degree that would later prove invaluable.

During the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, Wang Hong joined the hunger strikes, risking his life for freedom and justice. After fasting for two weeks, he suffered a severe stomach ailment and nearly lost his life. This experience deepened his understanding of endurance and resilience.

His health struggles continued after graduation. Confined to his Beijing apartment for days at a time, he found healing through an unexpected mentor—a legendary Qigong master. Under his guidance, Wang Hong trained in Qigong healing, a practice he pursued throughout his life. He suffered from rheumatic pain, stomach ulcers, and headaches but remained convinced there was a better way to live. Without realizing it, he was preparing for the tea way of life that awaited him.

Patience: A Life of Learning and Growth

In 1992, Wang Hong opened a clinic in Beijing. It was there that he met and married his wife, Rachel. Together, they moved to San Francisco in 1995, where they opened a new clinic. Their search for holistic wellness led them to experiment with different dietary models, eventually embracing a vegan lifestyle.

With patience and dedication, Wang and Rachel built their life and business in a new country. They established a bodywork clinic specializing in Tui Na An Mo massage, Qigong, and cupping therapy.

As a Zen Buddhist master, Wang continued his vegan lifestyle (free of garlic and onion) and gave Dharma talks to inspire and educate communities across the Bay Area. Through these teachings, he truly became Master Wang.

Wellness: Discovering Puer Tea

In 2000, at Berkeley’s famous Himalayan Fair, Master Wang noticed a small group of people sharing Puer tea. This moment changed his life. Seeing others embrace Puer with such enthusiasm, he felt inspired to introduce more people to this ancient tradition.

On his yearly visits back to Tengchong, he deepened his knowledge of tea. He visited farms, studied the art of tea ceremony, and learned Puer cultivation from tea masters. Training his palate, he refined his ability to detect even the most subtle nuances in tea. He began sharing his findings with clients and students, starting small but dreaming big.

By 2008, Master Wang was ready to enter the market seriously. His background in international economics and his unwavering commitment to wellness converged as he began importing Puer tea. His first handcrafted selections—Trinity, Heaven’s Brick, Earth Brick, and Zen Brick—marked the beginning of his tea enterprise.

He collaborated with esteemed tea connoisseurs such as David Wright (Hidden Peak Tea House), Winnie Yu (Teance), and Travis Peterson (Dobra Tea), refining his expertise while educating consumers.

With his deep appreciation for pure flavors, his meticulous selection process, and his years of training in tea tasting, Master Wang became known for his exceptional ability to source and share the finest Puer teas.

Even after his divorce from Rachel in 2010, he remained steadfast in his mission. He established the Medicine Buddha Healing Center and led tea plantation tours in Yunnan, reinforcing his commitment to education and health.

Master Wang founded three tea businesses: Zen and Tea, Total Vitality, and Pure Land Tea. He maintained personal relationships with tea farmers and traders in Kunming and Xishuangbanna, ensuring the authenticity and quality of his Puer tea.

Above all, he was adamant about sourcing tea only from ancient trees of Yunnan Province, protecting the integrity of this traditional art. With preparation, patience, and an unshakable commitment to wellness, he shared the profound gifts of Puer tea with the world.

A Well-Rooted Legacy

From the founding of his Medicine Buddha Healing Center until his passing, Master Wang lived by the principles of preparation, patience, and wellness. He taught from the Heart Sutra and worked to bring health and harmony to those around him.

His retreat space in Tengchong remains a sanctuary for those seeking peace and restoration. He embraced a simple yet deeply fulfilling life, dedicated to creating spaces that reflected his love for beauty, balance, and tradition.

In his own words:

“Puer tea is art expressed as medicine, and also medicine expressed as art. It’s a drinkable antique, and its value is priceless even beyond speculation. I look forward to having other tea masters and tea professionals add to the growing international dialogue, collaboration, and sharing of the powerful living art and living medicine known as Puer tea.”

Carrying the Torch

Pour the water into the pot.
Spark the fire under the wood stove.
Set the pot of water on the stove to boil.
Prepare for ritual.

Tidy your space for ceremony.
Take out your favorite tea.
Set out your tea table, teapot, and tea cups.
Pour hot water over the leaves.
Begin the adventure of exploring your senses.

This ritual, practiced over and over, imprints itself warmly and deeply onto the soul, becoming a trusted and joyful practice.

Present Day

Now, Master Wang's son, Anoah, is building upon his father’s vision. Having grown up immersed in his father’s teachings, he is dedicated to furthering the Pure Land Tea mission—bringing people together, fostering human connection, and embracing the transformative power of tea.

He carries forward his father’s dream of sharing tea as a gateway to wellness, mindfulness, and appreciation for nature. Through Pure Land Tea, he continues the legacy of health, community, and the timeless art of tea drinking.

Our Family: Left to Right—Aura, Anoah, Aladdin, and Rachel