Sado

(www.chinadaily.com.cn)

Buddhism was founded in ancient India during 6th-5th centuries BC. It was introduced to China during the Han Dynasty. It was promoted and expanded in the Wei, Jin and Northern and Southern dynasties. It reached its peak in Sui and Tang dynasties. Tea drinking started in the Tang Dynasty and prospered in the Song Dynasty. Lu Yu, who founded the Chinese Sado, was adopted by Master Zhiji Chan. He learnt his ABCs and Buddhist sutras in Jinling Longgai Temple. He made friends with Jiaoran, a monk poet in the Tang Dynasty, "to be bosom friend when alive and follow each other till death.” It is acknowledged that since tea became popular, Chinese Sado was closely associated with Buddhism. Monks and laymen are all still interested in Sado. There is a well-known saying “tasting Zen in tea”.