The oldest cultural principle in China is Taoism, which has a much longer history than Confucianism. Taoists hold that man is an integral part of nature, and stress that man is in harmony with the universe and nature. In the Han Dynasty, Taoist thoughts developed into Taoism. Taoism advocated overcoming the common people's mortal failings and tapping special intellectual resources through the training of one's body and soul. The Chinese people call those who succeed in practicing asceticism immortals, and think that they have special wisdom and miraculous powers like God. Later, Indian Buddhism spread to China. Since the Chinese people did not fully understand this early Buddhism, they took it for granted that Buddhist and Taoist immortals were alike when they saw Buddhists sat in meditation like Taoists. They regarded all Taoists and Buddhists as immortals. During the Southern and Northern dynasties, Confucians, Taoists and Buddhists debated their beliefs. It is interesting to note that no matter how much their ideas were opposed, none excluded tea and they all liked to make friends over tea. In literary works and fairy tales of the time there were many stories about immortals and tea. According to Chinese ancient books and records, during the reign of Yuan Di Emperor in the Jin Dynasty, there was an old lady, who often sold tea at the market. Though the tea was poured into cups from morning till night, her kettle was full all the time. The old lady helped the poor with income from her tea sales, but local authorities were displeased with her and put her into prison. But at night the merciful old lady flew away with her teasets from the window of the prison. Chinese ancients held that immortals could fly, so the old lady was of course thought of as an immortal. Other Chinese documents relate that in the Southern Dynasty a monk Fa Yao, who liked to drink tea, died at the age of ninety-nine. His vast age was due to the magical properties of tea. A man of such advanced years was treated as an immortal, since in ancient times living conditions were harsh and there was no modem scientific medical treatment. Also, according to documents, Dan Qiuzi and Huang Shanjun recast themselves and lived as famous immortals due to drinking tea.

Why did the Chinese people connect tea with immortals? Because, according to the Taoists' theory of keeping good health, man's vitality lies in collateral channels, which ,tea helps to dredge. In addition, tea, which could keep people sober-minded and quiet, was deemed a necessity to practice Taoism or Buddhism as both advocated sitting in meditation. Thus, the effect of tea drinking was connected with the oldest oriental philosophy, rules of keeping good health, and an elevation in the spiritual sphere.

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