Lu Yu (陸羽) aka Lu Hong Jian (陸鴻漸), born in Tang Dynasty (CE733 生于唐朝). Hometown in Hu Bei Province, Tian Men City (家鄉於湖北省天門市). In some other contexts, he was also known as Lu Ji (陸疾), Lu Ji Ci (陸季疵), Dong Gang Zi (東岡子), etc.
Overall, he was known as Sage of Chinese Tea aka Cha Sheng (茶聖).
At the age of 3, Lu Yu was being ditched by his parent. One day while little Lu Yu was wandering around at Xi Hu river-side (西湖河畔), a Senior Monk known as Zhi Ji (智積禪師) from Long Gai Monastery (龍蓋寺) discovered him and so, Monk Zhi Ji brought him back to the Monastery.
Due to Lu Yu was still young and afraid of strangers, he refused to shave his hair to become a Monk and so, Monk Zhi Ji didn’t force him.
During the stay in the Monastery, Lu Yu tried his best to study and read up as many books and records as possible.
At the age of 12, Lu Yu sneaked out from the Monastery at one night without anyone knowing.
After escaping from the Monastery, Lu Yu joined an Opera Troupe – in-order to survive, so from then, he started to learn how to act. After tedious training from the seniors, Lu Yu was granted the opportunity to step onto the stage.
Soon, he became popular in the Opera Society, one day, a high rank Officer of Tang Imperial Court came to watch Opera, at first sight, the Officer spotted Lu Yu and found out that, Lu Yu should be someone in the future, he should not stay in such Opera Troupe. And so, the Officer decided to bring him to one of the Teachers that he knew to coach on Lu Yu on academic study. Lu Yu agreed.
Under the influences of the Officer and his Teacher, Lu Yu started to gain interest in Chinese Tea, from then, he started to put in effort in doing researches on different type of Teas.
CE758, Lu Yu went to Nanking (南京) to look out for special Tea Types. From there, he collated all different types of tea and the ways of making tea, etc.
CE760, Lu Yu decided to move into a deserted area in the Mountainous Area to continue his study on the Tea Culture. From then, seldom people saw him in town.
During the stay in the Mountainous Area, Lu Yu started to compile all his study, researches, experiments and experiences on Chinese Tea. Soon he wrote a book on Chinese Tea, which was known as Cha Jing (茶經) – The Scripture of Chinese Tea.
CE804, Lu Yu passed away.
Due to his contribution in the Knowledge of Chinese Tea and discovering of more types of Chinese Tea, he was being honoured as the Deity of Chinese Tea besides Shen Nong (神農).
Due to some contexts, Shen Nong was being respected as Deity of Chinese Tea, in order not to over-ride the Title that was being given to Shen Nong, later part in the History, folks addressed Lu Yu as Cha Sheng, meaning Sage of Chinese Tea.
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