Lao-Tzu (570 - 490 B.C.E.)

Loud Zee is also known as: Not Latinized? Lao-tzu in Wade-Giles Traditional; Lao Zi in Pinyin; Fondly known as "The Old Sage"

He is our oldest Zee.  Lao directly translated means - Old.  He was born more than 2,500 years ago, and that makes him very old!  "Loud Zee", traditionally known as the founder of the naturalistic, philosophical "Way" known as Taoism. He was born in the province of Honan and has probably exerted more influence over Chinese thinking than any other person except Confucius.

He is the author of Tao Te Ching, (The "Classic of the Way and Virtue"), which consists only 10,000 characters. Much of it is rhymed and it can be read as a long philosophical poem, it teaches "The Way" that can not be explained in words or conceived in thought.

Lao Tzu famous teachings

"Wu Wei" is one of the major attitudes to achieve "The Way", that is to let things take their natural course and stresses the importance of "without intent".

"Mud Chong Jug Lou" - refers to time revolving effects, things will deteriorate as time goes by, strong to weak and young to old in the natural process.

His teaching has been translated into western languages more than any other Chinese works.

Reference:

• Tao Te Ching (The Book of the Way)
• Thoughts for the Free Life: Lao Tsu to the Present
• Lao Tzu : Tao Te Ching : A Book About the Way and the Power of the Way
• Lao-Tzu´s Taoteching: With Selected Commentaries of the Past 2000 Years
• Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition
• The Tao Te Ching: A New Translation With Commentary

A Taoist Classic - The Book Of Lao Zi

The Taoist classic, The Book of Lao Zi, also known as Dao De Jing (The Way and Its Virtue), is said to have been written by Lao Zi in the late Spring and Autumn Period. The book contains a wealth of dialectic thinking. It interprets the changes of all things in the universe with its Tao (the Way).  It advocates contentment with the existing status quo and holding few desires and a return of human society to the primeval state characterized by a small naton and a sparse population.  The philosophy propounded in the history of Chinese thought, for it has influenced Chinese philosophers of the succeeding periods to varying degrees.  Since the Han Dynasty, well over a thousand scholars have made annotations to the work,which is very unusual for ancient Chinese books.  The "Introduction" gives a general account of the basic concepts contained in The Book of Lao Zi and the focal points of discussion among Chinese academic circles. The book consists of eighty-one chapters, each of which is preceded by a synopsis of its content, and an index of themes.