“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” …..Lao Tzu (aka Laozi; about 6th century BC) – a philosopher of ancient China, and the founder of Taoism ______________________ LAO TZU AND TAOISM Lao Tzu (or “Old Sage”, aka Laozi; about 6th century BC) – a philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching (often simply referred to as Laozi). His association with the Tào Té Chīng has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of philosophical Taoism (pronounced as Daoism). He is also revered as a deity in most religious forms of Taoist philosophy, which often refers to Laozi as Taishang Laojun, or One of the Three Pure Ones. A central figure in Chinese culture, both nobility and common people claim Laozi in their lineage. According to legends, Lao Tzu was keeper of the archives at the imperial court. Due to immense public appeal of his philosophy, he was honored as an ancestor of the Tang imperial family, and was granted the title Táishāng xuānyuán huángdì, meaning Supreme Mysterious and Primordial Emperor. When about eighty-year-old, Lao Tzu set out for the western border of China, toward what is now Tibet, saddened and disillusioned that men were unwilling to follow the path to natural goodness. At the border (Hank Pass), a guard (Yin Xi/ Yin Hsi) asked Lao Tzu to record his teachings before he left. Thus, Lao Tzu summarized his philosophical views into a compilation entitled Tao Te Ching (The Way and Its Power). His philosophy is referred to as Taoism. Throughout history, Laozis work has been embraced by various anti-authoritarian movements. Taoism and Confucianism have to be seen side-by-side as two distinct responses to the social, political and philosophical conditions of life two and a half millennia ago in China. Whereas Confucianism is greatly concerned with social relations, conduct and human society, Taoism has a much more individualistic and mystical character, greatly influenced by nature. _________________ By AVDHESH SHUKLA
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 17:45:00 +0000
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