Laozi

Laozi was a semi-legendary ancient Chinese philosopher who is considered the founder of Taoism. He is the author of the Tao Te Ching, a primary Taoist text that advocates the concept of dao, the way of the universe, and the practice of wu-wei, the avoidance of meddling and excessive action. He is also associated with the Zhuangzi, another influential Taoist work that contains stories and dialogues attributed to him. Laozi is revered as a sage and a cultural hero by generations of Chinese people. He is also honored as a deity in some sects of Taoism and Chinese folk religion. He was claimed as an ancestor by the Tang dynasty emperors and is regarded as one of the Three Pure Ones, the highest gods of the Taoist pantheon. Laozi's life is shrouded in mystery and legend. According to the traditional account, he was born as Li Er in the state of Chu during the 6th century BC. He served as a royal archivist for the Zhou dynasty and met Confucius on one occasion. He became disillusioned with the decline of the Zhou and decided to leave China. At the border, he was asked by a guard named Yin Xi to write down his teachings. He then composed the Tao Te Ching in a single session and departed into the western wilderness. Some sources say he became an immortal hermit, while others say he died of natural causes. Laozi's teachings have influenced Chinese philosophy, religion, literature, art, and culture for more than two millennia. He advocated for a simple and natural way of life that is in harmony with the dao. He also criticized the artificial and rigid moral codes, rituals, and institutions of Confucianism and Legalism. He emphasized the importance of spontaneity, flexibility, humility, and non-violence. He also introduced the concepts of yin and yang, the complementary and interdependent forces of nature, and the five elements, the basic constituents of the cosmos. Laozi's philosophy has inspired many thinkers and movements, such as Zhuangzi, Liezi, Huainanzi, Wang Bi, Guo Xiang, Daoist alchemy, Chan Buddhism, Neo-Daoism, Neo-Confucianism, and New Confucianism.