Ms Josephine Siao Fong Fong, MBE

Chairman Yang, University Council Members, President Tong and Honoured Guests,

Last year I heard a story. In the 19th Century, Japan was in turmoil. Ronin (disreputable samurai without a master or home) infested the land. They roamed freely, and killed people as they pleased. Kura, a renowned tea master, was in fear of his life, so he strapped on a sword and dressed up as a samurai to follow his master on a business trip.   

One day Kura was strolling alone. A Ronin challenged him to draw his sword and fight. 
“I am no samurai.” Kura answered.
“The more reason for you to die under my sword.” The Ronin answered. 
“Allow me first to take care of my business,” Kura said, “And I will meet you here this afternoon.” 
“Make sure you come back!” said the Ronin. 

So Kura hurried to the most esteemed martial arts school in town and entreated the Grandmaster to teach him how to die “a dignified Samurai death”. The Grandmaster was perplexed, “Those who come to me want to learn how to stay alive. You want to learn how to die. Why?" Kura told him what had happened. The Grandmaster said, “Make me a cup of tea, then I will teach you.”  So Kura began the familiar ceremony to brew the last cup of tea in his life.

The Grandmaster observed as Kura heated the kettle. He saw how he cleansed the utensils; strained the tea. He saw how he went on with a hint of a smile, his manner composed, and at last how he served the cup. The Grandmaster said, “You will not die. All you need to do is to face the Ronin with the heart and soul with which you make tea.”

Kura hurried to the meeting place where the Ronin was waiting. “Duel starts now!” The Ronin roared. Thinking of what the Grandmaster had said, Kura gazed at the Ronin with a smile and gently put down his straw hat; took off his coat and folded it up neatly; tied up his sleeves and trousers with strings. He was totally at ease throughout the process as is the way of the Tea Ceremony with Zen meditation.

Unnerved by Kura’s gaze and smile, the Ronin grew more and more apprehensive. He did not dare attack him with his sword for he could not fathom his opponent’s martial arts.

Eventually Kura swung his sword in the air and froze, for he knew not what to do next. At this moment, the Ronin fell on his knees and cried out, “Spare my life. Spare my life. You are the greatest Samurai I have ever met.”

I would like to thank The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for conferring upon me this honorary title which will encourage me, like this tea master, to do my humble best with the End Child Sexual Abuse Foundation, to “make a good cup of tea” here in Hong Kong. Thank you.

Dr Chung King Fai, SBS

Dr Humphrey Leung Kwong Wai, JP

Dr Dennis Ng Wang Pun, BBS, MH

Ms Josephine Siao Fong Fong, MBE

Professor Wang Jianhua

Mr Alexander Woo Chung Ho

Dr Royce Yuen Man Chun, JP

(in alphabetical order of last name)