Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu（Lao Zi) was a person from the Spring and Autumn Period, an ancient Chinese philosopher and the revered founder of Taoism School, is one of the most influential thinkers in Eastern philosophy and world culture. Credited as the author of the Tao Te Ching (道德经), his profound teachings on the "Tao" (the natural way of the universe), simplicity, non-action (wu wei，无为), and harmony between humanity and nature have shaped Chinese civilization for over two millennia. Lao Tzu is revered as the founder of Taoism, known as "Taishang Laojun"
Who is Lao Tzu?
Lao Tzu（Lao Zi) (571 BC – 471 BC), whose real name was Li Er and courtesy name was Boyang, was a figure from the Spring and Autumn Period. He served as the Keeper of the Archives in the Zhou Dynasty (equivalent to the current director of the National Library of China) and is one of the world's 100 most influential historical figures.
Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, visited Lao Tzu three times and discussed various ideas with him.
Lao Tzu's Life and Experiences
- 551 BC: Laozi, at age 20, entered the Zhou royal court and was appointed Keeper of the Archives.
- 535 BC: At age 36, Laozi was dismissed from his post and traveled to the State of Lu. At this time, Confucius, at age 17, consulted Laozi about rites.
- 530 BC: At age 41, Laozi was reinstated as Keeper of the Archives.
- 526 BC: Laozi, at age 45, and Confucius, at age 26, visited Laozi at the Zhou Dynasty.
- 516 BC: At age 55, Laozi's collection of books was confiscated, he was dismissed from his post, returned to his hometown, and later went to the State of Qin.
- 501 BC: Confucius, at age 51, visited Laozi, who was 70 years old, to learn from him.
- 471 BC: Laozi died in the State of Qin at the age of 101.
Lao Tzu's Thought
Lao Tzu, as the foremost figure in the history of Chinese philosophy, possessed profound and complex thoughts. This article is too brief; to learn more, please click to view his comprehensive philosophical blog.
Aesthetic Thought:
The core of Lao Tzu's thought is the Dao, and the nature of the Dao is nature. Out of respect for nature, Lao Tzu also admired simplicity and unpretentiousness, believing that "great skill appears clumsy" and advocating that a great man "lives in reality and does not dwell in extravagance." The beauty of simplicity is admired by many, becoming an aesthetic trend in the Song Dynasty.
Social Theory:
Lao Tzu（Lao Zi) believed that the essence of the Dao is naturalness and non-action, which is the fundamental law governing all things in the universe and a basic principle of conduct that humanity should adhere to.
Dialectical Thinking:
Lao Tzu believed that everything in the world exists in comparison. Beauty and ugliness, good and evil, existence and non-existence, difficulty and ease, length and shortness are all interdependent; only with this can there be that, only with right can there be wrong, only with good can there be evil.
These statements seem contradictory, but in reality, they are intertwined. Everything is interconnected; nothing is static.
Lao Tzu's Books
Lao Tzu (Li Er)'s most core and authoritative work is only one book, which is the Tao Te Ching (also known as Lao Tzu, the De Dao Jing, or the Five Thousand Words).
The Chinese version of the Tao Te Ching is divided into eighty-one chapters, each with a few characters, ranging from over eighty to over twenty. The full text contains more than 5,000 words.
Lao Tzu's Historical Influence
Lao Tzu's works and thoughts have become a precious asset of world historical and cultural heritage. His influence is unparalleled not only within Taoism but also extends far beyond it. His influence encompasses not only philosophy, religion, political science, economics, sociology, aesthetics, ethics, literature, psychology, education, logic, and rhetoric, but also extends to numerous fields such as medicine, health preservation, qigong, military strategy, management, architecture, and horticulture. According to incomplete statistics from the Yuan Dynasty, there were over three thousand works on Lao Tzu's philosophy and commentaries since the pre-Qin period.
As early as the 18th century, several Western countries had multiple language versions of the Tao Te Ching. By the 1940s and 50s, there were over 60 translations of the Tao Te Ching in Europe. World-renowned scholars such as German philosophers Hegel and Nietzsche, and Russian writer Tolstoy, conducted in-depth research on the Tao Te Ching, and published monographs or treatises on it.
After proposing his theory of the "Axial Age," Karl Jaspers, in his book Great Philosophers, listed Socrates, Buddha, Confucius, and Jesus as "creators of intellectual paradigms," and included Lao Tzu among the "original metaphysicians."
How to Commemorate Lao Tzu
📍 Taiqing Palace, Luyi County, Henan Province
Located in Taiqing Palace Town, east of Luyi County, Zhoukou City, Henan Province, it is an important memorial site commemorating Laozi's birthplace. Originally built in the Han Dynasty, the palace centers on the Taiji Hall, enshrining Laozi, and is a major place for Taoist believers and tourists to worship Laozi.
📍Tianjing Palace, Woyang County, Anhui Province
Located in Woyang County, Bozhou City, Anhui Province, the palace contains the Laozi Hall, enshrining a statue of Laozi.
📍Laojun Temple, Laojun Mountain, Luoyang City, Henan Province
Located on Laojun Mountain in Luanchuan County, Luoyang City, Henan Province, it is said that Laozi once lived in seclusion and practiced Taoism here. The Laojun Temple, built on the mountaintop, is a sacred site for Taoist believers to climb the mountain to worship Laozi.
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