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)
The Tao Te Ching is broken into two sections containing
short chapters in a poetry like form. The first section
titled Tao or The way is is made up of the first 37 chapters
of the book. This opening section discusses the nature of
the Tao. Lao Tzu describes the Tao as an unseen force that
all life flows from.
The Tao is the source of heaven,
heaven is the source of the earth, and the earth is the
source of mankind. The second division of the book is titled
Te or The Virtue. It is comprised of chapter 38 to chapter
81. This later section of the text is predominately about
how a Taoist sage should rule over his people (1).
One well emphasized point of the Tao Te Ching is the
concept of Wu-Wei, or in English, "do nothing".
The
misinterpretation of this idea is what made emperors try and
ban Taoism for fear that it would lead to laziness among
their people. The correct interpretation of Wu-Wei does not
encourage laziness at all it in fact, means to not do
anything that you must force yourself to do. Things that
come naturally usually are the best, things that people must
force themselves to do generally are not as good (6).
The Taoist paradigm is one of simplicity, living for
the good of nature and mankind rather than being driven by
self interest. By following the Tao, and practicing the act
of wu-wei, the Taoist were able to live a simple yet
fulfilling life.
