LAO TSE (604 - 531 BC)
Born in Keuh-jin in China, Lao Tse worked as an archivist in the imperial Chou Dynasty, and it was during this time that he wrote the Tao Te Ching, one of the oldest and most famous philosophical works from the Far East.
The work formed the basis of the teachings of Taoism, which is currently one of the world's largest religions. In his book, Lao Tse describes his belief that world order is based on the Tao (ways or paths) that a person follows during his lifetime. In the course of his life, one is aware of the balance between humanity and the universe and between all the contrasting forces in the nature of the universe and human nature. This dualism and balance is embodied in yin and yang which literally means a dark side and a light side and a hill, but it is simply a symbol of the two opposing elements such as light and darkness, as well as male and female, strong and weak, the sky. and earth, black and white, and good and bad.
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According to Chinese tradition, the author of the Tao Te Ching was a man named Lao Tse who was a contemporary but older than Kong Hu-Cu. However, Confucius-Cu lived in the 6th century B.C., and both from the point of view of style and content, few scholars today believe that the Tao Te Ching was written at such an early time. Opinions differ as to the actual date of compilation of the book. (The Tao Te Ching himself never mentions any specific person's name, nor places, dates, or historical events). However, 320 BC is a reasonable estimate of eighty years from the actual date, and may have been closer.
This issue creates a sharp dispute over time even regarding the existence of Lao Tse himself. While authorities believe the tradition that Lao Tse lived in the 6th century BC, have therefore concluded he did not write the Tao Te Ching. Other scholars consider the man to be nothing more than a fictional character. With estimates are as follows:
1. Lao Tse really did exist and was the author of the Tao Te Ching;
2. He lived in the 4th century BC;
3. The story that Lao Tse was contemporary with but older than Confucius-Cu is a contrived statement, fictitious and concocted by a later Taoist philosopher for the sole purpose of adding prestige to his person and his book.
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It should be noted that from earlier Chinese writers, either Kong Hu-Cu (551 - 479 BC), or Mo-Ti (5th century BC), or Meng-Tse (371 - 289 BC), none of them mention either Lao Tse or Tao Te Ching. However, Chuan Tse, a famous Taoist philosopher who appeared around 300 BC mentioned Lao Tse's name repeatedly.
Lao Tse was born and lived in northern China. Part of his life he was a historian or a director of the government archives, most likely in the city of Loyang, the royal capital of the Chou dynasty. Lao Tse is not a real name, but a nickname meaning "elder." He is married and has a son named Tsung. Si Tsung later became a general in the country of Wei.
Although Taoism started as a secular philosophy, a kind of religious movement developed from there. However, as Taoism as a philosophy proceeded on the basis specifically of the ideas set out in the Tao Te Ching, this "Taoist Religion" was soon engulfed in superstitious beliefs and worship that had little to do with Taoism.
In the West, the Tao Te Ching is far more popular than the writings of Kong Hu-Cu or any of the Confucian philosophers. In fact, at least forty different English translations have been published of the book, more than any translation of any other book except the Bible.
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