Taoism

With origins dating back to 600 BC, Taoism is one of the

earliest religions of the far east, predating both Buddhism

and Confusiascism. It has survived for centuries,

withstanding opposition from anti-Taoist dynasties by

storing texts in hollowed out walls. Despite its hardships,

Taoism has persevered and is still an important part of

Eastern though and religion.

The most well known of all Taoist sages is the fabled

Lao-Tzu. He is credited with writing the Tao Te Ching, the

first book to capture Taoist beliefs and thoughts. This is

often debated, however, on the grounds that Lao-Tzu may have

been the pen name of several sages working together to

create the Tao Te Ching (2). Little is known about the origins

of the Tao, Taoists believe that while passing through the

hills of China, a bridge keeper asked Lao-Tzu to write a

book containing his thoughts and beliefs. To satisfy this

request, Lao-Tzu wrote what he called "The Book of 5000

Characters".(3) This later became known as the Tao Te

Ching. When translated, Tao Te Ching means "The Classic Way

and Virtue", Tao meaning way or path, Te meaning virtue, and

Ching meaning classic(1). Li Er is thought to be Lao-Tzu's

given name, if this is true, then Lao-Tzu spent time as the

head librarian of the imperial archives. While there,

Lao-Tzu (then known as Li Er) studied Chinese history,

philosophy, and other works of classic Chinese literature.

Later in his life, Lao-Tzu is said to have encounter

Confucius(5). At this meeting, Confucius asked Lao-Tzu to

explain his views on Taoism. Though the actual conversation

is not documented, Confucius came away from the meeting in

awe of Lao-Tzu's great intellect. After the encounter,

Confucius said to his followers, "I know that a bird can

fly; that fishes can swim; that animals can run. Things that

run can be caught in nets. What can swim can be caught in

traps. What can fly can be shot down with arrows. But what

to do with the dragon I do not know. It rises on the clouds

and the wind. Today I have met Lao-Tzu and he is like the

dragon." (1)

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