Philosophical views of Lao Tzu and Confucius. Philosophy of Lao Tzu

3 million people
Myanmar- 25 thousand people
Vietnam- 10 thousand people
Cambodia- 10 thousand people

lao- an ethnic group in Southeast Asia, the majority of whose representatives live in Thailand (about 16 million, 25% of the country's population) and Laos (about 3 million, 50% of the country's population). There are 25,000 Laos in Myanmar, 10,000 in Vietnam, and 10,000 in Cambodia. The total number is 19.048 million people.

The Thai Lao mostly reside in the northeastern Isan region, although many of them are now migrant workers elsewhere in the country.

The Lao speak various dialects of the Lao language, which is closely related to Thai, and the Isan language. Sometimes Lao is also called Thai-Lao. The Lao language has dialects: Vientiane, Luang Prabang, southern, northern. Writing is of South Indian origin (from the 14th century); exists in two varieties - tua tham, or sacred writing (for religious texts), and tua lao - everyday.

Origin and early history

The Thai peoples, which include the Lao, migrated to the Mekong valley from the highlands in what is now southern China's Yunnan province. The first early feudal states on the territory of Laos - Muang Sin, Muang Sai, Muang Khun, Muang Na, Muang Sua (present-day Luang Prabang, Muang Kamsut, Bassak, etc. In the mid-14th century, a single state of Lan Sang was formed. In the social organization, the country was divided into districts headed by tassengs (or tsyuons), districts consisted of districts headed by fias Lower positions - khun si and khun pet - heads of communities, respectively, from 4 and 8 villages.

Life and economic activity

The traditional occupation of the Lao, like other peoples of Southeast Asia, is agriculture. The main crop is rice. Tea, pepper, coffee and other crops are also grown. Agriculture is irrigated, but in some areas there is also slash-and-burn. There are enough lands, but among them there are few watered ones. There are two directions in animal husbandry - breeding of draft cattle (buffaloes, bulls), breeding of small livestock and poultry (pigs, dogs, goats, chickens, ducks). Animal husbandry plays a supporting role. Another auxiliary trade is the gathering of roots and herbs.

Asia's largest river, the Mekong, flows through Laos. She and other rivers are also rich in fish, so fishing is one of the traditional activities. Fish are caught with bullshit, fixed and movable fences, tops, in shallow water they are speared. Fish, like rice, is one of the staple foods. There is a fishing festival (the 10th month of the lunar calendar).

Laos is a mountainous country rich in forests. Logging is an important part of the economy. Although industry, construction and transport are currently developing in the country, Laos fundamentally remains an agrarian country. Unlike neighboring countries, where they harvest two or three crops a year, Laos only harvests one.

Of the transport routes in Laos, highways and country roads and waterways are used. There are no railroads.

Settlements consist of randomly scattered houses. Villages are usually small, 8-10 houses. To get rid of dampness and flooding, houses are placed on high piles. The house has 2-3 entrances, 2 hearths, a gable roof. One hearth is for the main members of the family, the other is common, "guest". The hearth is made from a bamboo frame filled with earth and clay. A tripod and a boiler hook are used. Inside, bunks, wooden benches, bamboo stools, and mats are used. The mat is the main piece of furniture. Bedding - cushions, mats, blankets. In addition to piled rural houses, there are other types of houses. The houses of the petty aristocracy were built of teak, so they are more often brown. The highest aristocracy lived in white-stone palaces, which included a system of water structures (lakes, canals), and were surrounded by gardens, lawns, trees.

Each village has a wat temple complex, inside which is a statue of the Buddha.

Cities are also small. The main population is merchants, artisans, officials and Buddhist monks.

From clothes, Lao men wear simple canvas shirts and trousers, jackets. Sometimes these are not pants, but a sarong (skirt), wrapped like pants. Sometimes a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist (sampot) is used. For women, the clothes are much more attractive: dresses of bright colors, richly ornamented, with embroidery, or short sweaters with a standing collar and unsewn skirts (sin) with hand-made patterns on the floors of multi-colored threads. Girdled with scarves. Headwear - headbands, straw hats.

The food is the same as in neighboring countries. The basis of the cuisine is rice. Widely used fish, fresh and dried, vegetables. Northern Lao eat meat.

The inheritance after the deceased is received by his children, wife (or husband).

culture

Laos is a country of ancient original culture. The historical monuments of Vientiane and Luang Prabang are known far beyond the borders of the country. Vientiane was founded in the 13th century and was the capital of the Lan Sang state for a century and a half. In the XIV century. under King Setthatirat, the temple complexes of That Luang (“Royal Stupa”), Wat Pha Keo (“Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha”) were built in it. Here was a statue of Buddha made of jade, transported in the 18th century to Bangkok. In Luang Prabang there are examples of wooden architecture, the complexes of Wat Mai (XVIII century), Wat Xiengthong and That Makmo (“Watermelon Pagoda”) (XVI century). Their walls are decorated with the finest gilded ornaments. Pagodas in the form of stupas, which are also found in neighboring Myanmar and Thailand, are called "that" in Laos. Monuments are carefully protected by the state.

In addition to Buddhism, the Lao have folk beliefs. This is a belief in the spirits of nature. Examples: phi - spirits in general, both good and evil, phi sua - the spirit of the tiger, phi hai - the spirit of the rice field, etc.

The main holiday is the New Year (pi May, April 13-15). It is accompanied by carnivals, dances, festivities, there is a rite of making rain: pouring water on each other.

Buddhist holidays: Buddha's birthday (September), Khao Phansa (beginning of the Buddhist fast, October), Day of sacred books of Buddhism, Buddha's transition to the state of nirvana.

National holiday - Day of Remembrance of the Dead and Homeless Souls. Public holidays: Constitution Day (May 11), Day of Independence and Unity of the Peoples of the Country (July 19).

Laos has its own national theater, similar to theaters in other countries of Southeast Asia. It developed under the influence of the Thai theatre, and is closely associated with it. At the royal court, dramas were staged based on the plots of the Indian epic, from the Ramayana and Jataka. The court dances of Thailand have been adapted, lakhon fai nai and nang nyai. The most ancient and widespread genre of village drama is mo lam. Acting theaters express content in song and dance. Musical instruments are mainly bamboo. There is also a shadow theater (nang daloong) based on Laotian and Thai fairy tales.

Malayo-Polynesian peoples
tyams Malays (yavi, Thai Malays, Pattani Malays, Kelantans, Satuns) Sea Gypsies (urak-lavoi, moken)

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010 .

Laozi (Old Child, Wise Old Man; Chinese exercise 老子, pinyin: Lǎo Zǐ, 6th century BC). Ancient Chinese philosopher of the 6th-5th centuries BC. BC, who is credited with the authorship of the classical Taoist philosophical treatise "Tao Te Ching". Within the framework of modern historical science, the historicity of Lao Tzu is questioned, nevertheless, in the scientific literature, he is often still identified as the founder of Taoism. In the religious and philosophical teachings of most Taoist schools, Laozi is traditionally revered as a deity - one of the Three Pure Ones.

Already in early Taoism, Lao Tzu becomes a legendary figure and the process of his deification begins. Legends tell of his miraculous birth. His first name was Li Er. The words "Lao Tzu", meaning "old philosopher" or "old child", were first uttered by his mother when she gave birth as a son under a plum tree. The mother carried him in the womb for several decades (according to legend, 81 years), and he was born from her thigh. The newborn had gray hair, which made him look like an old man. Seeing such a miracle, the mother was greatly surprised.

Many modern researchers question the very existence of Lao Tzu. Some suggest that he could be an older contemporary, about whom - unlike Confucius - there is no reliable information of either historical or biographical nature in the sources. There is even a version that Lao Tzu and Confucius are the same person. There are suggestions that Lao Tzu could be the author of the Tao Te Ching if he lived in the 4th-3rd centuries. BC e.

The following version of the biography is also considered: Lao Tzu is a semi-legendary Chinese thinker, the founder of the philosophy of Taoism. According to legend, he was born in 604 BC, this date is accepted in the chronology of world history, adopted in modern Japan. The same year is also indicated by the famous modern sinologist Francois Julien. However, the historicity of his personality is not confirmed in other sources and therefore raises doubts. His brief biography says that he was a historiographer-archivist at the imperial court and lived for 160 or even 200 years.

The most famous version of the biography of Laozi is described by the Chinese historian Sima Qian in his work Historical Narratives. According to him, Lao Tzu was born in the village of Quren, Li Parish, Hu County, in the kingdom of Chu in southern China. For most of his life, he served as custodian of the imperial archives and librarian at the state library during the Zhou Dynasty. A fact that speaks of his high education. In 517 there was a famous meeting with Confucius. Lao Tzu then said to him: “Abandon, O friend, your arrogance, various aspirations and mythical plans: all this has no value for your own self. I have nothing more to say to you!" Confucius walked away and said to his disciples: “I know how birds can fly, fish can swim, wild game can run... But how a dragon rushes through the wind and clouds and rises to heaven, I do not comprehend. Now I have seen Lao Tzu and I think that he is like a dragon. At an advanced age, he left the country for the west. When he reached the border outpost, its chief, Yin Xi, asked Lao Tzu to tell him about his teachings. Lao Tzu complied with his request by writing the text of the Dao Te Ching (The Canon of the Way and its Good Power). After which he left, and it is not known how and where he died.

According to another legend, Master Lao Tzu came to China from India, discarding his history, he appeared before the Chinese completely clean, without his past, as if reborn.

Laozi's journey to the West was a concept developed in the treatise Huahujing for the purpose of anti-Buddhist controversy.

The central idea of ​​Lao Tzu's philosophy was the idea of ​​two principles - Tao and Te.

Word "Tao" in Chinese, literally means "way"; one of the most important categories of Chinese philosophy. However, in the Taoist philosophical system, it received a much broader metaphysical content. Lao Tzu uses the word "Tao" with particular care, for "Tao" is wordless, nameless, formless and immovable. No one, not even Lao Tzu, can define Tao. He cannot define Tao, because to know that you do not know (everything) is greatness. Not to know that you do not know (everything) is a disease. The word "Tao" is just a sound from Lao Tzu's lips. He didn't make it up - he just said it at random. But when understanding arises, words will disappear - they will no longer be needed. "Tao" means not only the way, but also the essence of things and the total being of the universe. "Tao" is the universal Law and Absolute. The very concept of "Tao" can also be interpreted materialistically: "Tao" is nature, the objective world.

One of the most complex in the Chinese tradition is the concept "De". On the one hand, "De" is what feeds "Tao", makes it possible (opposite: "Tao" feeds "De", "Tao" - unlimited, "De" - defined). This is a kind of universal force, the principle by which the "Tao" - as the way of things, can take place. It is also the method by which one can practice and conform to the Tao. “De” is a principle, a way of being. This is the possibility of the correct accumulation of "vital energy" - Qi. "De" - the art of properly disposing of "vital energy", correct behavior. But "De" is not morality in the narrow sense. "De" goes beyond common sense, prompting a person to release the life force from the fetters of everyday life. The Taoist doctrine of Wu-wei, inaction, is close to the concept of "De".

The process of deification of Laozi begins to take shape in Taoism, apparently, as early as the end of the 3rd - beginning of the 2nd century BC. e., but it fully took shape only in the era of the Han Dynasty to the 2nd century AD. e. In 165, Emperor Huan-di ordered a sacrifice to be made to him in the homeland of Laozi in the county of Ku, and a year later he ordered to perform it in his palace. Zhang Daoling, the creator of the leading Taoist school of celestial mentors, reported the appearance of the divine Lao-tzu in the world in 142, passing on his miraculous abilities to him. The leaders of this school compiled their own commentary on the Tao Te Ching treatise, called the Xiang Er Zhu, and established the worship of Laozi in the BC they created at the end of the 2nd - beginning of the 3rd century. theocratic state in Sichuan province. In the era of the Six Dynasties (220-589), Lao Tzu began to be revered as one of the Three Pure Ones - the highest deities of the Taoist pantheon. Worship of Laozi acquired a special scope during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the emperors of this dynasty revered him as their ancestor, erected shrines to him and bestowed high ranks and titles.

The doctrine of Taoism in Russia became popular with the onset of the 1990s. Then, in post-perestroika times, many teachers began to come from China to the largest cities of the former Soviet Union, who conducted seminars on various systems of oriental gymnastics, breathing exercises, and meditation. Among the various practices were such as qigong, taijiquan, dao yin, which are inseparable from the ideas of Taoism and founded by its prominent followers.

A lot of literature was published in that period about Eastern worldviews, religions, ways of self-improvement, and the like. At the same time, a thin paperback booklet of a small format was published, where the teachings of Lao Tzu were fully expounded - a philosophical doctrine or treatise that became the foundation and canon of Taoism. Since then, a lot of articles and comments by Russian authors have been written on this topic, many translations from Chinese and English have been published, but in our country, interest in Taoist ideas has not subsided so far and periodically flares up with new intensity.

Father of Taoism

Traditionally, the patriarch of the doctrine in Chinese sources is Huang Di, also known as the Yellow Emperor, a mystical figure and hardly existed in reality. Huangdi is considered the forerunner of the emperors of the Celestial Empire and the ancestor of all Chinese. Many early inventions are attributed to him, such as the mortar and pestle, the boat and oars, the bow and arrow, the ax and other objects. Under his reign, hieroglyphic writing and the first calendar were created. He is credited as the author of treatises on medicine, diagnostics, acupuncture and acupuncture, herbal medicine and moxibustion. In addition to medical works, the merits of the Yellow Emperor include the authorship of Yinfujing, a poetic work highly revered by the followers of Taoism, as well as the ancient treatise Su-nuyjing on working with sexual energy, a practice that became the basis

Other founders of the doctrine

Lao Tzu is an ancient Chinese sage who lived presumably in the 6th century BC. In the Middle Ages, he was ranked among the Taoist pantheon of deities - the triad of the pure. Scientific and esoteric sources define Lao Tzu as the founder of Taoism, and his Tao Te Ching became the basis on which the teaching was further developed. The treatise is an outstanding monument of Chinese philosophy, it occupies a significant place in the ideology and culture of the country. The discussions of modern historians, philosophers and orientalists have never stopped about the content of the treatise, the historicity of its author and the fact that the book belongs directly to Lao Tzu.

Another primary source belongs to the teaching - Zhuangzi, a collection of short stories, parables, texts, which also became fundamental in Taoism. Chuang Tzu, the author of the book, supposedly lived two centuries after Lao Tzu, and his identity is more specifically confirmed.

History of Lao Tzu

There is one of the parables about the birth of the founder of Taoism. When Lao Tzu was born, he saw how imperfect this world was. Then the wise baby again climbed into the mother's womb, deciding not to be born at all, and stayed there for several decades. When his mother was finally relieved of her burden, Lao Tzu was born a gray-haired bearded old man. This legend points to the name of a Taoist philosopher, which can be translated as "wise old man" or "old baby."

The first and most complete description of the founder of Taoism was compiled in the 1st century BC. e. Sima Qian, Chinese hereditary historiographer, scholar and writer. He did this according to oral traditions and stories several centuries after the death of Lao Tzu. His teaching and life had by that time become a tradition, mostly legends. According to a Chinese historian, the surname of Lao Tzu is Li, which is very common in China, and the name of the philosopher is Er.

Sima Qian points out that the Taoist sage served at the imperial court as a keeper of archives, in the modern sense, a librarian, an archivist. Such a position meant keeping manuscripts in proper order and preservation, classifying them, ordering texts, observing ceremonies and rituals, and probably writing commentaries. All this points to the high level of education of Lao Tzu. According to the generally accepted version, the year of birth of the great Taoist is 604 BC. e.

The Legend of the Spread of the Teaching

It is not known where and when the sage died. According to legend, noticing that the archive he kept was falling into decay, and the state where he lived was degrading, Lao Tzu went to wander to the west. His ride on a buffalo was a frequent subject in traditional oriental painting. According to one version, when at some outpost blocking the way, the sage had to pay for the passage, he handed over to the head of the guard post a scroll with the text of his treatise instead of payment. Thus began the spread of the teachings of Lao Tzu, which later became known as the Tao Te Ching.

History of the treatise

The number of translations of the Tao Te Ching is probably second only to the Bible. The first European translation of the work into Latin was made in England in the 18th century. Since then, in the West alone, Lao Tzu's work in various languages ​​has been published at least 250 times. The Sanskrit version of the 7th century is considered the most famous; it served as the basis for many translations of the treatise into other languages.

The primary text of the doctrine dates from the 2nd century BC. This copy, written on silk, was found in the early 1970s during excavations in the Chinese district of Changsha. It has long been considered the only and most ancient. Prior to this discovery, many modern experts were of the opinion that the original ancient text of the Tao Te Ching did not exist, as well as its author.

Lao Tzu's teaching on Tao contains about 5000 hieroglyphs, the text is divided into 81 zhang, each of which can be conditionally called a short chapter, paragraph or verse, especially since they have a peculiar rhythm and harmony. Very few Chinese experts speak the ancient dialect in which the doctrine is written. Most of his hieroglyphs have several meanings, in addition, auxiliary and linking words are omitted in the text. All this significantly complicates the interpretation of each zhang. Since ancient times, there have been many commentaries on the Tao Te Ching, since the treatise is written in an allegorical form with some contradictions, many conventions and comparisons. And how else to describe the indescribable and convey the inexpressible?

1. Description and meaning of Tao.
2. Te is the law of life, an emanation of Tao and at the same time the path that a person follows.
3. Wu-wei is non-action, a kind of passivity, the main way of following de.

Tao is the source of all things and everything that exists, everything comes from it and returns to it, it encompasses everything and everyone, but it itself has no beginning and end, name, appearance and form, it is limitless and insignificant, inexpressible and inexpressible, commands, but does not force. This is how this all-encompassing power is described in the Tao Te Ching:

Tao is immortal, nameless.

Tao is insignificant, rebellious, elusive.

To master - you need to know the name,

shape or color.

But Tao is insignificant.

Dao is insignificant

but if the great ones follow him -

thousands of small ones submitted and calmed down. (zhang 32)

Tao is everywhere - right and left.

Commands, but does not force.

Owned but not claimed.

Never dare

therefore insignificant, pointless.

The living and the dead yearn for him,

but Tao is lonely.

That's why I call it great.

Never shows greatness

therefore truly majestic. (zhang 34)

Tao gives rise to unity.

Two will be born from one

From two, three will be born.

Three is the cradle of a thousand thousand.

Out of a thousand thousand in each

yin and yang fight

qi pulsates. (zhang 42)

The Great Te is a way of existence inscribed or prescribed by the Tao for all things. This is order, cyclicity, infinity. By obeying Te, a person is directed to perfection, but it is up to him to decide whether to follow this path.

The law of life, the great Te -

this is how the Tao manifests itself under the sky. (zhang 21)

Be fearless and humble

like a mountain stream

turn into a full-flowing stream,

the main stream of the Middle Kingdom.

So says the great Te,

birth law.

Know the holiday, but live everyday life -

you will become an example for the Celestial Empire.

So says the great Te,

law of life.

Know glory, but love oblivion.

The great river does not remember itself,

therefore her glory does not diminish.

So says the great Te,

completeness law. (zhang 28)

Wu-wei is a difficult term to understand. It is action in inaction and inaction in action. Do not look for reasons and desires for activity, do not place hopes, do not look for meaning and calculation. The concept of "Wu-wei" in Lao Tzu causes the most controversy and comments. According to one theory, this is the observance of the measure in everything.

The more effort

Far from Dao -

far from the start

and close to the end. (zhang 30)

Philosophy of being by Lao Tzu

The Zhangs of the treatise not only describe Tao, Te and “non-doing”, they are full of reasoned reasoning that everything in nature is based on these three whales, and why a person, ruler or state that follows their principles achieves harmony, peace and balance.

The wave will overwhelm the rock.

The incorporeal has no barriers.

That's why I value peace

learning without words

I do without effort. (zhang 43)

There are places where you can see similarities in the teachings of Confucius and Lao Tzu. The chapters built on contradictions seem like paradoxes, but each line is the deepest thought that carries the truth, you just need to think.

Kindness without boundaries is like indifference.

He who sows kindness is like a reaper.

The pure truth bitters like a lie.

A real square has no corners.

The best jug is molded for a lifetime.

High music is unheard of.

The great image has no form.

Tao is hidden, nameless.

But only Tao gives the way, light, perfection.

Complete perfection looks like a flaw.

Can't be fixed.

Extreme fullness is like complete emptiness.

Can't be exhausted.

Great directness acts gradually.

A great mind is clothed in innocence.

Great speech descends like a delusion.

Walk - you will conquer the cold.

Do nothing - you will overcome the heat.

Peace creates harmony in the Middle Kingdom. (zhang 45)

I admire deep philosophical and at the same time incredibly poetic reasoning about the meaning of earth and sky as eternal, constant, imperturbable, distant and close entities from man.

Earth and sky are perfect

hence indifferent to humans.

The wise is indifferent to people - live as you want.

Between heaven and earth -

bellow void:

the wider the range

the more durable the breath,

the more emptiness will be born.

Close your mouth -

know the measure. (zhang 5)

Nature is laconic.

Windy morning will be replaced by a quiet afternoon.

The rain will not pour like buckets day and night long.

This is how the earth and sky are arranged.

Even earth and sky

cannot create durable,

especially a person. (zhang 23)

Dissimilarity with Confucianism

The teachings of Confucius and Lao Tzu should be considered, if not opposite, then at least opposite. Confucianism adheres to a rather rigid system of moral norms and political ideology, supported by ethical standards and traditions. The moral duties of a person, according to this doctrine, should be directed to the benefit of society and others. Righteousness is expressed in philanthropy, humanity, truthfulness, sanity, prudence and prudence. The main idea of ​​Confucianism is a certain set of qualities and such relationships between the ruler and subjects that will lead to order in the state. This is a completely opposite concept to the ideas of Tao Te Ching, where the main principles of life are non-doing, non-striving, non-interference, self-contemplation, no coercion. You have to be pliable like water, indifferent like the sky, especially in political terms.

Thirty spokes sparkle in the wheel,

fix the emptiness inside.

Emptiness gives the wheel a sense.

You make a jug

enclosing emptiness in clay,

and the use of the jar lies in emptiness.

They break through doors and windows - their emptiness serves the house.

Emptiness is the measure of usefulness. (zhang 11)

Difference of views on Tao and Te

Difference of views on Tao and Te

Tao in the understanding of Confucius is not emptiness and comprehensiveness, as in Lao Tzu, but a way, a rule and a way of achieving, truth and morality, a certain measure of morality. A Te is not the law of birth, life and fullness, an essential reflection of the Tao and the path to perfection, as described in the Tao Te Ching, but a kind of good power that embodies humanity, honesty, morality, mercy, giving spiritual strength and dignity. Te acquires in the teachings of Confucius the meaning of the path of moral behavior and morality of the social order, which a righteous person must follow. These are the main differences between the ideas of Confucius and his followers and the teachings of Lao Tzu. The victories of Mark Crassus are an example of a feat in the name of society, they are fully consistent with the principles of Confucian ideology.

Tao gives birth

Da - encourages

gives form and meaning.

Tao is revered.

De - observe.

Because they don't require

observance and respect.

Tao gives birth

Te encourages, gives form and meaning,

grows, teaches, protects.

Creates and breaks

creates and seeks no reward,

governs without commanding,

this is what I call the great Te. (zhang 51)

Godian lists

During excavations in 1993 in the Chinese settlement of Godyan, another, more ancient text of the treatise was found. These three bundles of bamboo strips (71 pieces) with inscriptions were in the grave of an aristocrat buried around the end of the 4th-beginning of the 3rd century BC. It is certainly an older document than the one found on a piece of shabby silk in 1970. But it is surprising that the text from Godyan contains approximately 3000 characters less than the classical version.

When compared with a later treatise, one gets the impression that the original unordered text was inscribed on bamboo slats, which was later supplemented by another author, and possibly more than one. Indeed, upon careful reading, one can notice that almost every zhang of the already known treatise is conventionally divided into two parts. In the first parts of 2-6 lines, one can feel a special style, a peculiar rhythm, harmony, laconism. In the second parts of zhang, the rhythm is clearly broken, but the style is different.

On this occasion, the French researcher Paul Lafargue suggested that the first parts are the original, more ancient, and the second are additions, comments, possibly compiled by someone after Lao Tzu. Or vice versa, the famous keeper of the archives, being only an official involved in the systematization and preservation of ancient manuscripts, could add his comments to the older wisdom, which was part of his duties. And in Godian, a copy of the primary teachings of the ancient mystic was discovered, which later became the basis for Taoism and the teachings of Lao Tzu. Whether scientists will give unambiguous answers to the question of who is the author of the texts on bamboo slats is not known. And what if the primary short sayings belong to the wisdom of the Yellow Emperor himself, and Lao Tzu only streamlined them and made his own clarifications? Apparently no one will know for sure.

Lao Tzu is a legendary Chinese sage, according to legend, the founder of the religion of Taoism and the creator of the treatise "Tao ze ching". According to this book, Tao (the eternal way) is metaphorically compared to water, the ever-flowing element.

The Legend of Lao Tzu

He was born in a village called “Distorted Kindness” in the “Bitterness” county of the “Cruelty” province. Having stayed in his mother's womb for more than 80 years, he came out of there a deep old man, but every year he became younger. His name can be translated as "Old Child", although some researchers translate it as "Eternal Teacher".

Having spent his whole life as a keeper of books and having gained wisdom from them, in his old age he sat on a black-and-red bull and set off towards the distant Western Mountains in order to leave China forever and find a blessed country where there are no sorrows and sufferings.

At the request of the guard standing on the border, he drew five thousand hieroglyphs, which later compiled the book "The Tale of Tao", which contained all the wisdom of the world.

After leaving China, he moved to India and became a Buddha.

Facts from the life of a sage

Lao-er was born at the beginning of the 7th century BC. c, served as an archivist in the Chu book depository. Already being an old man, he communicated with Confucius and had a great influence on the formation of his worldview.

Soon after this fateful meeting, Lao Tzu was about to leave China forever, but at the border he was stopped by a wandering monk, who asked him to dictate the basic postulates of Taoism and the possible moral and ethical laws of the existence of people in society. According to legend, Lao dictated to him more than five thousand words, this is with the famous book "The Book of Tao and Te". Then he continued his journey to India.

According to some legends, he is considered the father of the founder of the first world religion of Buddhism - Gautama Sidhartha.

How did Taoism originate?

Why can't people live in peace and harmony? Why does the strong always hurt the weak? Why do terrible wars take thousands of lives and leave orphans and widows?

Why are we constantly dissatisfied with our lot? Why are we jealous? Why are we greedy, as if we are going to live forever and be able to spend all the riches of the world? Why do we change our beliefs and having achieved what we want, we again begin to wish for something unrealizable?

The Chinese sage gives us the answer to all these questions. We are too subject to someone else's opinion, and at the same time we want to subordinate people to our will. We live our desires, obey the body, not the soul. We cannot change our views and beliefs, and, most importantly, we do not want to change them if they run counter to our desires.

We do not think that the world is ruled by the DAO - the great and unshakable path to comprehending the truth. DAO is both the basis and the world order, it is he who rules the world and all things, material and spiritual, in this world.

Therefore, if a person follows the right path, the path of the DAO, he renounces his carnal unrighteous desires, renounces money and precious things, rethinks his beliefs and turns into a naive child who comprehends new laws of being. In this case, he follows the path of harmony with nature and the universe, the path of DAO.

It is believed that you need to start the path of comprehending Taoism by reading the book of Lao Tzu. It is difficult to understand and comprehend the truths contained in it, but you need to read it over and over again and then learn to read between the lines and understand the inner meaning of what is written. Intuitively, you will comprehend the previously incomprehensible, and your mind will change and be able to expand the horizons of knowledge.

One Taoist liked to repeat: “If I don’t read the Tao for two or three days, then my tongue becomes stone and cannot preach the doctrine.”

The main dogmas of Taoism

“Heaven and earth endure because they do not exist for themselves.”, - Lao wanted to say that both heaven and earth are eternal and unshakable, they are needed by every person and give joy to everyone. If the sky is always above your head, and the earth is under your feet, then nothing more needs to be sought and nothing more needs to be achieved, except for self-improvement.

“A truly wise person never sticks out his knowledge, he puts himself below others, but is ahead of everyone.” this saying of the sage is so clear that it does not require any interpretation, it is very similar to the saying of Socrates: "I only know that I know nothing."

The more knowledge a person has, the more he understands that he has only touched the truth of knowledge, and it is impossible to know everything, and only a fool will boast of his knowledge.

Lao Tzu considered water to be the basis of life, he said that there is nothing more tender, softer and weaker than water, but in an instant it can become a cruel and destructive element and can destroy a strong stone.

By this he meant to say that with the help of tenderness and weakness, one can defeat the strong and the strong. Any person comes into the world tender and weak, and leaves it strong and tough. Everyone understands this, but no one acts accordingly, because he tries to be cruel to the cruel, and gentle only to the gentle.

Even the sage wanted to say by this that it is the mind and knowledge that are the most powerful weapons, although it can be called “gentle”. Aggression causes reciprocal aggression, and tolerance and tolerance will help to achieve mutual understanding without cruelty.

“He who knows people is smart, who knows himself is wise” and again we return to the philosophy of antiquity. The ancient Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus said: “What is the hardest thing? Know yourself." Indeed, it is difficult for a person to look into his own soul and know the origins of his actions. And if you can understand the deep sources of your actions, then you can recognize other people, because people are the same in many ways.

“If you do not allow yourself to look at what causes desire, then the heart will not flutter.”

By this, the Chinese sage wanted to say that people are constantly striving for superfluous things: they want money, jewelry, silks and luxury, but if you don’t know about their existence and never see such things, then you won’t want them. And if you strive only for fame, honors and wealth, instead of leading a righteous life, full of reflection and knowledge of the world, then over the years you will have to be sad about missed opportunities.

“He who does not care about life is wiser than he who understands life,” at first glance, this statement is somewhat vague, but it is this idea that runs through the entire world philosophy. A person must live every day and appreciate every minute of his existence. A person needs to overcome the fear of death and go through life without fear of meeting it face to face. This fear makes us weak and prevents us from going to the intended goal.

Only by getting rid of this fear can you live a full life, breathe deeply and enjoy every moment.

DAO is the eternal and unshakable Absolute, to which all living things aspire, even the eternal Heaven obeys the laws of the DAO, and the meaning of life of any person is to merge with it in eternal harmony and fast the divine ecstasy of unity of cosmic souls.

: Lǎo Zǐ, 6th century BC e.), an ancient Chinese philosopher of the 6th-5th centuries BC. e., to whom the authorship of the classical Taoist philosophical treatise "Tao Te Ching" is attributed. Modern scholarship questions the historicity of Laozi, yet he is often identified in scholarly literature as the founder of Taoism.

Lao Tzu leaves China on a buffalo

Already in early Taoism, Lao Tzu becomes a legendary figure and the process of his deification begins. Legends tell of his miraculous birth (his mother carried him for several decades and gave birth to an old man - hence his name, “Old Child”, although the hieroglyph “zi” also meant the concept of “sage”, so his name can be translated as “Old sage ”) and his withdrawal from China.

Many modern researchers question the very existence of Lao Tzu. Some suggest that he may have been an older contemporary of Confucius, about whom—unlike Confucius—there is no reliable historical or biographical information in the sources. There is even a version that Lao Tzu and Confucius are the same person. There are suggestions that Lao Tzu could be the author of the Tao Te Ching if he lived in the 4th-3rd centuries. BC e.

The following version of the biography is also considered: Lao Tzu is a semi-legendary Chinese thinker, the founder of the philosophy of Taoism. According to legend, he was born in 604 BC, but the historicity of his personality is in doubt. His brief biography says that he was a historiographer-archivist at the imperial court and lived for 160 or even 200 years.

The most famous version of Laozi's biography is reported by Sima Qian: Laozi was born in the kingdom of Chu in southern China. For most of his life, he served as custodian of the imperial archives and library of the State of Zhou. In 517, a famous meeting with Confucius took place. At an advanced age, he left the country for the west. When he reached the border outpost, its chief, Yin Xi, asked Lao Tzu to tell him about his teachings. Lao Tzu complied with his request by writing the text of the Dao Te Ching (The Canon of the Way and its Good Power). After which he left, and it is not known how and where he died.

According to another legend, Master Lao Tzu came to China from India, discarding his history, he appeared before the Chinese completely clean, without his past, as if reborn.

Journey to the West

According to the same novel, after Sun Wukong was imprisoned under a mountain, the buffalo Laozi fled from his master back to earth, having previously stolen his diamond bracelet, as a result of which he acquired supernatural abilities and turned into a one-horned demon. After that, he gathered a gang of werewolves and demons and terrorized the local lands for the next 7 years, kidnapping travelers and eating them, until Xuanzang and his companions came to his domain. The one-horned demon, taking advantage of the absence of Sun Wukong, who went for alms, deceived him into a trap and kidnapped Xuanzang, Zhu Bajie, Sha-sen and the horse. Meanwhile, the returned Sun Wukong discovered the loss of his mentor and companions, and went to their rescue in a cave where a one-horned demon held them captive. Faced with the demon, Sun Wukong fought him, but the one-horned demon defeated him with his bracelet, which he used as a suction device, and took the staff from him, forcing Wukong to flee. Sun Wukong turned to Yu-di for help and he sent troops of celestials to help Sun Wukong, but even they could not defeat him - because of the magic bracelet with which the demon took away their weapons. Then, on the advice of the Buddha, Sun Wukong went for help to Lao Tzu, who, having discovered the loss of his buffalo and bracelet, hurried with him to the ground, where he again turned the demon into a buffalo, drove him into a stall, took away his bracelet and freed Xuanzang and his companions, after which they continued their journey to India.

Lao Tzu on Truth

• “The truth spoken out loud ceases to be such, for it has already lost its primary connection with the moment of truth.”
• "He who knows does not speak; he who speaks does not know."

It is clear from the available written sources that Lao Tzu was a mystic and quietist who taught a completely unofficial doctrine that relied solely on inner contemplation. Man acquires the truth by liberation from everything false in himself. The mystical experience completes the search for reality. Lao Tzu wrote: “There is an Infinite Being who was before Heaven and Earth. How serene, how calm! It lives alone and does not change. It moves everything, but does not worry. We may consider him the universal Mother. I don't know his name. I call it Tao."

Dialectics

The philosophy of Lao Tzu is also permeated with a peculiar dialectic:

• “From being and non-being everything came; from the impossible and possible - execution; from long and short - form. The high subjugates the low; the higher voices, together with the lower ones, produce harmony, the former subjugates the subsequent.

However, Lao Tzu understood it not as a struggle of opposites, but as their reconciliation. And from here practical conclusions were drawn:

• “When a person comes to not-doing, then there is nothing that has not been done.”
• "He who loves the people and governs them must be inactive."

From these thoughts one can see the main idea of ​​Lao Tzu's philosophy or ethics: it is the principle of non-doing, inaction. Anything violent the desire to do something, to change something in nature or in people's lives is condemned.

• “Many mountain rivers flow into the deep sea. The reason is that the seas are located below the mountains. Therefore, they are able to rule over all streams. So the sage, wanting to be above people, he becomes lower than them, wanting to be in front, he becomes behind. Therefore, although his place is above the people, they do not feel his weight, although his place is in front of them, they do not consider this an injustice.
• “The “holy man,” who rules the country, tries to prevent the wise from daring to do anything. When everyone becomes inactive, then (on earth) there will be complete calm.
• "He who is free from all kinds of knowledge will never get sick."
• “There is no knowledge; that's why I don't know anything."

The power of the king among the people Lao Tzu put very high, but he understood it as a purely patriarchal power. In the understanding of Lao Tzu, the king is a sacred and inactive leader. Lao Tzu had a negative attitude towards contemporary state power.

• “The people are starving because the state taxes are too high and heavy. This is precisely the cause of the misery of the people.”

• Sima Qian combines the biographies of Laozi and Han Fei 韩非, a late Warring States era Legalist philosopher opposed to Confucianism. The treatise "Han Fei-tzu", containing the teachings of the latter, devotes two chapters (《解老》, 《喻老》) to Lao-tzu's interpretations.

List of works

• Laozi Tao Te Ching: A paragon ebook , LAO ZI most-comprehensive ebook for FREE in PDF & HTM format, contains 50 translations in 6 different layouts, by Sanmayce.
• Tao Te Ching. ("The Canon of the Way and Virtues") Translation by A. Kuvshinov. - S.-Pb., 1991.