Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu , fl. 6th cent. BC, Chinese philosopher, reputedly the founder of Taoism . It is uncertain that Lao Tzu [Ch.,=old person or old philosopher] is historical. His biography in Ssu-ma Ch'ien 's Records of the Historian (1st cent. BC) says he was a contemporary of Confucius and served as curator of the dynastic archives until retiring to the mythical K'un-lun mountains. He allegedly transmitted his teachings to a border guard who subsequently compiled the Lao Tzu, also titled the Tao-te ching [Classic of the Way and Virtue]. Scholars date the work in the 4th-2d cent. BC, with some strata perhaps as old as the 6th cent. BC Its parables and verse, written in incantatory language, advocate passive and intuitive behavior in natural harmony with the Tao, a cosmic unity underlying all phenomena. It emphasizes the value of wu-wei, "nonstriving" or "non-[purposeful ]action," by which one returns to a primitive state closer to the Tao, a stage of creative possibility symbolized by the child or an uncarved block. It also promotes a laissez-faire approach to government.

Bibliography: See translations by J. J. L. Duyvendak (1954), W. Chan (1963), D. C. Lau (1963), S. Mitchell (1988), and V. Mair (1990).

Lao Tzu (active 604–531 bc) (Laozi) (active 6th century bc) Chinese philosopher, credited as the founder of Taoism. According to tradition, Lao Tzu was a contemporary of Confucius, and developed Taoism as a mystical reaction to Confucianism. He is said to have written Tao Te Ching, the sacred book of Taoism. In parables and verse, it advocates harmony with the Tao (path).

Lao-Tzu also Lao Tan (Chin., ‘old master’). A founding figure (though perhaps legendary) of Taoism, and according to tradition a contemporary (and teacher) of Confucius. His main importance is the tradition that he is the author of Tao-te ching, which is consequently also known as Lao-tzu; though again that claim cannot be historically true. He was later deified in religious Taoism (tao-chiao).