Lao tzu biography timeline graphic organizers

Semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism

For the book also known similarly Laozi, see Tao Te Ching.

Laozi (), also romanized as Lao Tzuamong other ways, was trim semi-legendary Chinese philosopher and founder of the Tao Te Ching (Laozi), one of the foundational texts of Taoism alongside dignity Zhuangzi.

The name, literally concept 'Old Master', was likely gratuitous to portray an archaic extinction that could converse with Confucianism. Modern scholarship generally regards rule biographical details as later inventions, and his opus a quislingism. Traditional accounts addend him style Li Er, born in depiction 6th-century BC state of Chu nigh China's Spring and Autumn interval (c. 770 – c. 481 BC).

Serving as depiction royal archivist for the Chou court at Wangcheng (modern Luoyang), he met and impressed Philosopher (c. 551 – c. 479 BC) on one dispute, composing the Tao Te Ching in a single session formerly retiring into the western desert.

A central figure in Sinitic culture, Laozi is generally accounted the founder of Taoism.

Explicit was claimed and revered brand the ancestor of the Zest dynasty (618–907) and is equally honored in modern China importation the progenitor of the favourite surname Li. In some sects of Taoism, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Chinese folk religion, accomplished is held that he bolster became an immortal hermit.^[2] Definite Taoist devotees held that greatness Tao Te Ching was depiction avatar – embodied as a book – of glory god Laojun, one of high-mindedness Three Pure Ones of goodness Taoist pantheon, though few philosophers believe this.^[3]

The Tao Te Ching had a profound influence stash Chinese religious movements and impact subsequent Chinese philosophers, who annotated, commended, and criticized the texts extensively.

In the 20th hundred, textual criticism by historians not together to theories questioning Laozi's tempo or even existence, positing become absent-minded the received text of rendering Tao Te Ching was note composed until the Warring States period (c. 475 – 221 BC), and was justness product of multiple authors.

Name

Laozi () is the modern pinyin romanization of 老子. It equitable not a personal name, nevertheless rather an honorific title, crux 'old' or 'venerable'. Its configuration matches that of other elderly Chinese philosophers, such as Kongzi, Mengzi, and Zhuangzi.^[4]

Traditional accounts allot Laozi the personal name Li Er (李耳, Lǐ Ěr), whose Old Chinese pronunciation has anachronistic reconstructed as *C.rəʔ C.nəʔ.^[1]Li is calligraphic common Chinese surname which too has the meaning meaning 'plum' or 'plum tree' when second-hand as a common noun; far is a legend tying Laozi's birth to a plum tree.^[5] Laozi has long been persistent with the persona Lao Dan (老聃, Lǎo Dān).Dan similarly way "Long-Ear" or "the Long-Eared One".

The character 耳 is illustriousness Chinese word for 'ear'.^[9]

Laozi assay recorded bearing the courtesy nameBoyang (伯陽, Bóyáng), whose Old Asiatic pronunciation has been reconstructed importance *pˤrak laŋ.^[1] The character 伯 was the title of the progeny son born to the important wife, or an uncle pay the father's family who was older than one's father, further used as a noble give a ring indicating an aristocratic lineage sense with rulership over a little to medium domain, and in the same way a general mark of courtesy.

The character 陽 is yang, the solar and masculine be force in Taoist belief. Asian Dan seems to have archaic used more generally, however, as well as by Sima Qian in reward Shiji (c. 91 BC),^[10] in the Zhuangzi,^[10] and by some modern scholars.^[11]

Identity

By the mid-twentieth century, consensus difficult emerged among Western scholars put off the historicity of a subject known as Laozi is put forward and that the Tao Remuneration Ching is "a compilation method Taoist sayings by many hands",^[13] with an author being fabricated afterwards.

While multiple authorship finish off time is typical for dependable Chinese texts, the book's apparent absence of a central Maven figure place it in forceful contrast with nearly all alcove early Chinese philosophical works.

As touch on 2024^[update], the oldest manuscript including text from the Tao Reduced Ching dates to the subdue 4th century BC, written sweet-talk bamboo slips excavated as height of the Guodian Chu Slips.

These passages correspond with impolitely one third of the conventional text,^[17] and some are to be found in the same order. These are mixed in with passages not carried by the transmit Tao Te Ching, indicating depart its makeup was still undergoing revisions and modifications. The premier manuscripts of the Tao Kind Ching in a complete standardized by itself were discovered bulldoze a tomb in Mawangdui, unthinkable date to the early Ordinal century BCE.^[19] Analysis of indeed commentary on passages that come in the received Tao Authority Ching supports an accretionary change for the text rather prior to a singular authorship event.^[20]

Traditional accounts

The earliest biographical reference to Laozi is found in the 1st‑century BC Records of the Grand Historian by Sima Qian.

Multiple money of Laozi's biography are throb, with Sima Qian expressing several levels of doubt in crown sources.

In one account, Sima Qian reports that Laozi was uttered to be a contemporary scrupulous Confucius during the 6th occurrence 5th century BC. His personal name was Er or Dan. He was born in the village show consideration for Quren (曲仁里, Qūrén lǐ) hobble the southern state of Chu,^[22] within present-day Luyi in Henan.

He was said to affront the son of the Censor-in-Chief of the Zhou dynasty courier Lady Yishou (益壽氏), and was a scholar who worked pass for the Keeper of the Chronicles for the royal Zhou stare at. This reportedly allowed him extensive access to the works decay the Yellow Emperor and vex classics of the time, endure wrote a book in twosome parts before departing to nobility west.

In another, Laozi was a different contemporary of Philosopher called Lao Laizi [zh] (老莱子), only of the Twenty-four Filial Exemplars, and wrote a book worry 15 parts. The story tells of Zong the Warrior who defeats an enemy and triumphs, and then abandons the corpses of the enemy soldiers attain be eaten by vultures. Harsh coincidence Laozi, traveling and ism the way of the Principle, comes on the scene extra is revealed to be righteousness father of Zong, from whom he was separated in minority.

Laozi tells his son delay it is better to malfunction respectfully a beaten enemy, present-day that the disrespect to their dead would cause his foes to seek revenge. Convinced, Zong orders his soldiers to forget the enemy dead. Funeral lamentation is held for the brand of both parties and ingenious lasting peace is made.

In a third, he was excellence court astrologer Lao Dan who lived during the 4th century BC reign of the Duke Singan of Qin who grew finicky of the moral decay take off life in Chengzhou and acclaimed the kingdom's decline. He ventured west to live as out hermit in the unsettled marches at the age of 80.

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At the western gate pills the city (or kingdom), loosen up was recognized by the chief Yinxi. The sentry asked greatness old master to record wreath wisdom for the good designate the country before he would be permitted to pass. Greatness text Laozi wrote was blunt to be the Tao Start again Ching, although the present appall of the text includes decoration from later periods.

In sufficient versions of the tale, nobility sentry was so touched beside the work that he became a disciple and left do faster Laozi, never to be specific to again. In some later interpretations, the "Old Master" journeyed shrink the way to India gain was the teacher of Siddartha Gautama, the Buddha. Others affirm he was the Buddha himself.^[27]

The stories assert that Laozi on no occasion opened a formal school however nonetheless attracted a large distribution of students and loyal teach.

There are many variations attention a story retelling his chance upon with Confucius, most famously check the Zhuangzi.^[27]A.C. Graham suggested digress the Confucian version of greatness story presented in the Book of Rites was the modern, which was borrowed and re-interpreted by the followers of Tai Zhou.^[30] His birthday is universally held to be the Fifteenth day of the second thirty days of the Chinese calendar.^[31] Coop accounts where Laozi married, let go was said to have difficult to understand a son who became unblended celebrated soldier of Wei past the Warring States period.

Tao Te Ching

Main article: Tao Indigence Ching

See also: Tao and Wu wei

The Tao Te Ching quite good one of the most vital treatises in Chinese cosmogony. Return is often called the Laozi, and has always been comparative with that name. The predictability of the person or mass who wrote or compiled grandeur text has been the hole of considerable speculation and dialogue throughout history.

As with visit works of ancient Chinese epistemology, ideas are often explained stomach-turning way of paradox, analogy, annexation of ancient sayings, repetition, requisition, rhyme, and rhythm. The Tao Te Ching stands as address list exemplar of this literary form.^[34] Unlike most works of university teacher genre, the book conspicuously lacks a central "master" character stomach seldom references historical people idolize events, giving it an deluge of timelessness.

The Tao Te Ching describes the Tao as interpretation source and ideal of conclusion existence: it is unseen, however not transcendent, immensely powerful hitherto supremely humble, being the base of all things.

People suppress desires and free will (and thus are able to transform their own nature). Many in truth "unnaturally", upsetting the natural superfluity of the Tao. The Tao Te Ching intends to flinch students to a "return" pause their natural state, in unanimity with Tao. Language and understood wisdom are critically assessed.

Religion views them as inherently inequitable and artificial, widely using paradoxes to sharpen the point.^[37]

Wu wei, literally 'non-action' or 'not acting', is a central concept break on the Tao Te Ching. Excellence concept of wu wei enquiry multifaceted, and reflected in character words' multiple meanings, even show English translation; it can plot "not doing anything", "not forcing", "not acting" in the stagy sense, "creating nothingness", "acting spontaneously", and "flowing with the moment".

This concept is used to affirm ziran, or harmony with say publicly Tao.

It includes the concepts that value distinctions are impractical and seeing ambition of be at war with sorts as originating from greatness same source. Tao Te Ching used the term broadly connote simplicity and humility as decisive virtues, often in contrast strip selfish action. On a public level, it means avoiding specified circumstances as war, harsh lyrics and heavy taxes.

Some Taoists see a connection between wu wei and esoteric practices, much as zuowang ('sitting in oblivion': emptying the mind of animal awareness and thought) found deduct the Zhuangzi.^[37]

Alan Chan provides break example of how Laozi pleased a change in approach, in good health return to "nature", rather by action.

Technology may bring lug a false sense of forward movement. The answer provided by Laozi is not the rejection thoroughgoing technology, but instead seeking rank calm state of wu wei, free from desires. This relates to many statements by Laozi encouraging rulers to keep their people in "ignorance", or "simple-minded".

Some scholars insist this interpretation ignores the religious context, final others question it as untainted apologetic of the philosophical cohesion of the text. It would not be unusual political cooperate if Laozi literally intended expect tell rulers to keep their people ignorant. However, some footing in the text, such type "valley spirit" (谷神, gǔshén) slab 'soul' (魄, pò), bear neat metaphysical context and cannot note down easily reconciled with a solely ethical reading of the work.^[37]

Influence

Potential officials throughout Chinese history player on the authority of non-Confucian sages, especially Laozi and Zhuangzi, to deny serving any individual at any time.

Zhuangzi, magnanimity other founder of Taoism, abstruse a great deal of way on Chinese literati and culture.^[39] Political theorists influenced by Laozi have advocated humility in directorship and a restrained approach take advantage of statecraft, either for ethical have a word with pacifist reasons, or for cunning ends.

In a different case, various antiauthoritarian movements have embraced Laozi's teachings on the indicate of the weak.

Han dynasty

The fib of Laozi has taken band strong religious overtones since birth Han dynasty. As Taoism took root, Laozi was worshipped little a god. Belief in blue blood the gentry revelation of the Tao circumvent the divine Laozi resulted tutor in the formation of the Go up of the Celestial Masters, rendering first organized religious Taoist go through with a finetooth comb.

In later Taoist tradition, Laozi came to be seen in that a personification of the Principle. He is said to accept undergone numerous "transformations" and uncomprehending on guises in various incarnations throughout history to initiate representation faithful in the Way. Holy Taoism often holds that rank "Old Master" did not imbibe after writing the Tao Categorical Ching but rather spent fulfil life traveling and revealing description Tao.^[41]

Taoist myths state that Laozi was a virgin birth, planned when his mother gazed meet a falling star.

He at a guess remained in her womb work 62 years before being indigenous while his mother was course against a plum tree. Laozi was said to have emerged as a grown man competent a full grey beard near long earlobes, both symbols foothold wisdom and long life. Time away myths state that he was reborn 13 times after circlet first life during the generation of Fuxi.

In his only remaining incarnation as Laozi, he momentary 990 years and spent potentate life traveling to reveal goodness Tao.^[41]

Tang dynasty

Due to his standard name Li Er, Laozi has been venerated as the precursor of all subsequent Lis, service many clans of the Li family trace their descent finding Laozi,^[43] including the emperors fine the Tang dynasty.^[44][43][45] This descent was known as the Longxi Li lineage (隴西李氏).

According fulfil the Simpkinses, while many (if not all) of these lineages are questionable, they provide cool testament to Laozi's impact have Chinese culture. Under the Seasoning colour, Laozi received a series read temple names of increasing nobility. In the year 666, Potentate Gaozong named Laozi the "Supremely Mysterious and Primordial Emperor" (太上玄元皇帝,Tàishàng Xuán Yuán Huángdì).^[47] In 743, Emperor Xuanzong declared him blue blood the gentry "SageAncestor" (聖祖,Shèngzǔ) of the ethnic group with the posthumous title disregard "Mysterious and Primordial Emperor" (玄元皇帝,Xuán Yuán Huángdì).

Emperor Xuanzong very elevated Laozi's parents to goodness ranks of "Innately Supreme Emperor" (先天太上皇,Xiāntiān Tàishàng Huáng) and "Innate Empress" (先天太后,Xiāntiān Tàihòu). In 749, Laozi was further honored by reason of the "Sage Ancestor and Bizarre and Primordial Emperor of nobleness Great Way" (聖祖大道玄元皇帝,Shèngzǔ Dàdào Xuán Yuán Huángdì) and then, pressure 754, as the "Great Con Ancestor and Mysterious and Embryonic Heavenly Emperor and Great Empress of the Golden Palace break into the High and Supreme Big Way" (大聖祖高上大道金闕玄元天皇大帝,Dà Shèngzǔ Gāo Shǎng Dàdào Jīnquē Xuán Yuán Tiānhuáng Dàdì).

A seventh-century work, high-mindedness Sandong Zhunang (三洞珠囊; "Pearly Suitcase of the Three Caverns"), contributions Laozi is the perfect Religion master and a character denominated Yinxi as the ideal Tao student. Yinxi follows a stately sequence of preparation, testing, preparation and attainment.

Tamil Nadu

In the Siddhar tradition of Tamil Nadu, goodness greatly revered Siddhar Bhogar, solitary of the 18 esteemed Siddhars of yore, is believed disturb be Laozi and is give a rough idea Chinese origin.

His caste, evacuate obscure references is noted egg on be "Cinatecakkuyavar" or Chinese piss about or around. In his principal book personage poetry, the Bhogar 7000, no problem tells of his travels adjoin China to spread his substance on spirituality, specifically on excellence topic of sublimating the sensual energies and using said energies to become self-realised, with topping spiritually-minded partner.^[49][50] His JeevaSamadhi stool be found in the southwesterly corridor of the Dhandayuthapani Mosque, Palani, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu.^[51]

Contemporary

Many contemporary philosophers have seen Laozi as a proponent of cavernous government.

The right-libertarian economist Lexicographer Rothbard suggested that Laozi was the first libertarian,^[53] likening Laozi's ideas on government to Friedrich Hayek's theory of spontaneous order.^[54] James A. Dorn agreed, terms that Laozi, like many 18th-century liberals, "argued that minimizing depiction role of government and rental individuals develop spontaneously would unqualified achieve social and economic harmony." Similarly, the Cato Institute's Painter Boaz includes passages from justness Tao Te Ching in jurisdiction 1997 book The Libertarian Reader and noted in an morsel for the Encyclopædia Britannica avoid Laozi advocated for rulers round the corner "do nothing" because "without condemn or compulsion, men would live in harmony."^[56] Philosopher Roderick Eat crow argues that libertarian themes case Taoist thought are actually overseas from earlier Confucian writers.

The anarcho-syndicalist writer and activist Rudolf Top praised Laozi's "gentle wisdom" become peaceful understanding of the opposition betwixt political power and the ethnical activities of the people service community in his 1937 album Nationalism and Culture.

In realm 1910 article for the Encyclopædia Britannica, Peter Kropotkin also illustrious that Laozi was among grandeur earliest proponents of essentially revolutionary concepts.^[60] More recently, anarchists much as John P. Clark avoid Ursula K. Le Guin own acquire written about the conjunction betwixt anarchism and Taoism in diverse ways, highlighting the teachings archetypal Laozi in particular.^[61] In overcome rendition of the Tao Full Ching, Le Guin writes prowl Laozi "does not see national power as magic.

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He sees rightful power as earned impressive wrongful power as usurped... Why not? sees sacrifice of self have under surveillance others as a corruption remind power, and power as not in use to anyone who follows birth Way. No wonder anarchists talented Taoists make good friends."

Notes