Taoism

Taoism
Philosophical Taoism and Religious Taoism

Philosophical Taoism

Laozi (Lao Tzu)- name means “old master” or “old child”; born from vaginal conception; he was born old; he took a job in Loyang for many years but soon grew tired of it and left his post, carried by an ox, traveled to the far west of China; at the border he was recognized as an esteemed scholar and was prohibited from crossing the border until he had written down his teachings; the result was Tao Te Ching; after the book was finished, he left China never to be seen again

Tao Te Ching- a short book of about five thousand Chinese characters; the great classic book of Taoism, accepted by most Taoists as a central scripture and one of the world’s greatest books; title “the classical book about the Way and its power”; there are 81 short chapters; it is probably the work of many authors; the book is repetitive and lacks clarity; more like a book of poetry; it is thought to have a political purpose o...