Tea is a beverage that has been cherished for its soothing and stimulating properties. There are many legends about its discovery.
According to one, a Chinese Emperor was boiling water when a few leaves of a twig burning under the pot fell into it. He found the taste delicious and those leaves became known as tea leaves.
The Chinese Emperor
Tea, the beloved +beverage enjoyed by millions across the world, has a captivating history. It’s a history that spans cultures, with each region having its own tale of how this enchanted beverage was first discovered.
China, the birthplace of tea, credits an Emperor Shennong with its discovery. The Chinese legend claims that Shennong was a botanist who loved to explore new plants. On one occasion, Shennong was boiling water under a Camellia tree to slake his thirst. As he did so, some leaves from the branches being used as firewood blew into the pot and gave it a distinctive flavour. It was then that Shennong realised the power of this new herb and its many health benefits.
Although not entirely true (there’s no record of Shennong ever trying tea), the story is a great way to show how this beverage came to be. From there on, tea leaves were cultivated in China and became an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine and culture.
The discovery of tea was an important milestone in Chinese history. It soon spread to the rest of Asia and, eventually, to Europe. This is why it’s no surprise that the words ‘chai’ and ’chini’ are derived from the Chinese word for tea.
While the Indian story of how tea was discovered is much less documented, there is no doubt that it played an important role in the development of this country. When British explorer Robert Fortune visited Assam in 1823, the landscape was dotted with acres of neatly pruned tea bushes and groups of women carrying bamboo baskets on their backs, plucking leaves from the plant. It was at this time that he first tasted the delicious drink.
Rajvir, the manager of the tea garden, was happy to share this history with us. He then took Pranjol on a tour of the tea gardens, where he pointed out acres of tea bushes all carefully pruned to the same height and groups of women carrying their harvests in bamboo baskets. He explained that this was the second-flush period, which takes place from May to July, yielding the best tea.
The Buddhist Ascetic
As the name suggests tea is one of the three principal non-alcoholic beverages that are used all over the World. It is believed to have been discovered in China around 2737 B.C. The Emperor of China used to drink boiled water and once when boiling it few leaves from a twig burning under the pot fell into it and gave it a unique flavour which is now known as tea.
Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk who came to India from China in the 6th century CE. He was on a mission to spread the teachings of Buddhism. He spent a lot of time in meditation. During these meditation sessions, he would often feel sleepy and unable to stay awake. He began to chew some leaves from a nearby plant and found that it helped him stay alert and focused during his meditation sessions. He continued to use these leaves on a daily basis to help him meditate without falling asleep.
Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born into a wealthy family and lived in an insulated lifestyle that kept him away from the realities of the outside world. When he finally did encounter the world beyond his palace, he was shocked to learn that it was filled with suffering, disease, and death. He then renounced his privileged life and joined a group of ascetics.
The ancient Indians believed that the deities had achieved their divine status and even created the universe by using a powerful inner, ascetic heat. The Rig Veda in particular lays out ascetical practices that can generate this internal heat.
Bodhidharma’s ascetic regimen was quite extreme at times. For example, he once vowed not to sleep for the next six years. However, he eventually discovered that neither asceticism nor a lifetime of starvation held the answers to his spiritual quest.
At the time of his arrival in India, Bodhidharma was already a famous teacher and had a considerable following. He delivered his first sermon at Deer Park near Varanasi and enlightened five ascetics who were listening to him. These ascetics are called the Five Wise Men of the Forest and they asked to become his disciples and were subsequently ordained as Buddhist monks.
The Japanese Penitent
Tea, the beloved +beverage enjoyed by millions around the world, has a long history and a captivating story. It’s no wonder then that it finds itself at the center of various cultures with each region having its own unique legends.
According to a Chinese legend, Emperor Wu discovered tea by accident. He always boiled his water before drinking and one day a few leaves off the twigs burning under his pot fell into the boiling water and it acquired a delicious flavour. He took the boiled leaves and chewed them and found that it was refreshing, revitalizing and banished his sleepiness. He was so impressed with the effects of the beverage that he made it a regular habit.
Another popular legend regarding the discovery of tea traces its origin to an ancient Buddhist ascetic called Bodhidharma. He was a disciple of Zen Buddhism and he went to China to preach the teachings of his religion. On his way he decided to prove the principles of Zen by practicing meditation without sleeping. However, he found it difficult to stay awake and he felt sleepy during the meditation. To counter this feeling he cut off his eyelids and threw them to the ground. To his surprise, ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids and when the leaves were put in hot water and drunk, it cured sleepiness.
This fascinating legend is brought to life by Yoshitoshi’s print titled “Confession of Japanese Penitents.” The image evokes feelings of repentance and remorse as the penitents stand on a lever-controlled balance. They’re in a precarious position and if the balance tips, they will fall down the treacherous mountainside.
Yoshitoshi’s work is a beautiful example of the power of art to convey complex themes such as faith and redemption. It’s no surprise then that the piece has been widely acclaimed as a masterwork and it continues to inspire people today. If you’d like to learn more about the history of tea and its discovery, we invite you to connect with one of our expert tutors who can teach you the nuances of this fascinating subject.
The Japanese Emperor
Tea has been a beverage of choice for many different people in the world, and has played a role in various cultures. It is a drink that can lift your spirits and give you energy, and is also great for relaxing and de-stressing. It is easy to find a variety of tea, but there are a few things that you should know before you begin drinking it.
The first thing that you should know is that there are several legends about how tea was discovered. The most common one involves a Chinese Emperor. He always boiled his water before drinking it, and one day a few leaves from the twigs that were burning under the pot fell into the boiling water. The emperor tasted it, and found it to be delicious. The emperor then started to grow tea plants and make it regularly.
Another legend about the discovery of tea involves a Buddhist ascetic. This ascetic, known as Bodhidharma, felt sleepy during his meditations. To overcome this problem he cut off his eyelids. Ten tea plants grew out of these. When boiled in water and drunk, these leaves banished the sleepiness.
The Japanese Emperor is the 126th monarch according to Japan’s traditional order of succession. He ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, 2019, kicking off the Reiwa era. The emperor is the head of state and head of the Imperial Family and plays an important role in maintaining contact with the people through overseas visits, receiving credentials from foreign ambassadors, promulgating laws enacted by the Diet and visiting facilities for the elderly and disabled.
His Majesty Naruhito was born on Feb. 23, 1960, and is the eldest son of Emperor Akihito. He studied history at Gakushuin University and English at the University of Oxford’s Merton College. He and his wife, Masako Owada, met at a tea ceremony in 1986. They have one daughter, Princess Aiko. The emperor’s religious beliefs are Shinto and Buddhism. He adheres to the concept of kodo, an ideology similar to manifest destiny that promotes the idea that the nation and its race are divinely chosen and protected.
