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Japan: The Buddhist monk Saicho (767-822), founder of the Tendai Tantric Buddhist tradition, credited with being the first person to bring tea to Japan. Heian Period (11th century)

Japan: The Buddhist monk Saicho (767-822), founder of the Tendai Tantric Buddhist tradition, credited with being the first person to bring tea to Japan. Heian Period (11th century)

Saichō (最澄, September 15, 767 – June 26, 822) was a Japanese Buddhist monk credited with founding the Tendai school in Japan, based around the Chinese Tiantai tradition he was exposed to during his trip to China beginning in 804.

He founded the temple and headquarters of Tendai at Enryaku-ji on Mt. Hiei near Kyoto. He is also said to have been the first to bring tea to Japan.

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