Sado

(www.chinadaily.com.cn)

Sado originated from China. The Chinese were the first in the world to drink tea at the start of or even before the Tang Dynasty, as a way of cultivating morals. Record of Things Seen and Heard by Mr. Feng states, “the Sado became prevalent, and all the nobility and officials drank tea.” This is the earliest record of Sado in documents. In temples of the Tang Dynasty, when monks recited and chanted scriptures or sat in meditation, they would drink tea to clear their minds. Tea banquets were popular in society. At banquets, guests and the host drank tea instead of liquor, enjoyed sceneries, and expressed their feelings.

In the Tang and Song Dynasties, people were particular about the manner and etiquettes of drinking tea. They followed commonly prescribed customs. Tea banquets were held in palaces, temples, and gatherings of scholars. Zhao Ji, emperor Huizong of Song Dynasty, was enthusiastic about drinking tea. He believed that tea, of sweet smells and good taste, could make people peaceful and fascinating.