Taoism 101

Lesson 1: Origins of Taoism

Laozi and the Dao de Jing

The Dao de Jing (Tao te Ching) is the central work of Taoist thought. It is attributed to a semi-legendary man known as Laozi (Lao Tzu), who had a humble post in the archive of his home kingdom. He was remarkable, but few recognized his brilliance. He eventually decided to travel west and practice contemplation of the Tao. Before he could leave his home he was stopped at the gate to the western lands and asked by the gatekeeper to leave behind his knowledge. He then recorded the eighty-one verses of the Dao de Jing and left forever.

Laozi is most likely not a historical person, or at the very most a combination of several figures and authors. Most modern scholars do not believe that the Dao de Jing (often referred to as the Laozi) was the work of a single writer. However, the wisdom contained in the work is consistent and true inspired genius - it as captivated the minds of Taoists, certainly, but also thinkers throughout the world and throughout time. The work itself contains only about five thousand words, and is split into two major books. Though a short work (it can be read in about half an hour in translation) it is infinitely rich with ideas, imagery and originality.

The work deals with a myriad of topics. In many ways it is a political manual that gives advice to those in positions of power, instructing them as to the most efficient ways to govern, and how to rule in line with the Tao. It stresses a view of non-interference, stating that the best rulers are those that the populace of which the populace are unaware. It propounds a doctrine of practical non-violence, insisting that it is not the will of the Tao to do harm. Finally, it advocates a simple, self-sustaining lifestyle that does not infringe on others and provides happiness and well being for members of the community.

There are other ideas presented in the Dao de Jing, many of which apply to the individual and the community. One principle idea is using humbleness and pliability to achieve one's aims. Offering resistance or actively pursuing a goal may yield results sometimes, but the sage knows that by intuitively understanding the Tao one can excel at succeeding. Of course, one wise enough to recognize the Tao also has the desires of a sage, which are certainly distinct from those of the average person.

There are many other philosophical insights, some which will be discussed in Lesson 3. However, there are cosmological ideas in the Dao de Jing which deserve our attention as well. The first verse of the Dao de Jing speaks of how the Tao is the originator of the heavens and the earth, and how the myriad things come from that. This is a very basic cosmology - one that is often expanded in later Taoism - but it is nonetheless a part of the Dao de Jing which speaks of a more grandiose truth.

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