Laozi and Daoism
According to tradition Laozi was the founder of Daoism. It
is not truly known if Laozi ever physically existed.
However, his birth date is said to be 604 B.C. Laozi
translates as ‘Old One’ or ‘Wise One’.
Legend states that Laozi was conceived as a shooting star
and then carried in his mother’s womb for 82 years. He was
born as an old man with white hair. During his remaining
lifetime he is said to have been the keeper of the
government archives for the Zhou. Confucius had consulted
him and praised him highly. Laozi became disillusioned with
the decline of the Zhou. Finally he climbed onto a water
buffalo and rode off westwards to live out the remainder of
his days in paradise.
Before he was permitted to leave China he had to record his
beliefs. The book, called Daode Jing, was about 5,000
characters in length and divided into two parts. One part
covered the beliefs and the other part virtue. By following
the ideas in the book Daoism became a popular religion.
The key concept of Daoism is Dao. Dao is the way everything
is ordered and works in the universe and the driving force
behind it. People should follow dao and not work against
it. Going with the force is known as wuwei.
Believers
have
interpreted
the
ways
to
follow
dao
differently. One way to have a harmonious life is by using
reflection and intuition so that any actions go with the
flow of dao. This type of Daoism had many followers in the
West.
Another way was to use meditation and yogic exercise to
harness the power of dao. They would then radiate the power
of dao to those around them.
The final way was worshipping gods and using magic. Alchemy
was popular, particularly with emperors, as followers tried
to find an elixir for immortality. The final way of
following dao was the most popular method with the people
because of the support it received from the imperial
families.
The influence of Daoism stretched to Korea, Japan, India
and the West. Daoism is still important in Hong Kong and
Taiwan today. Often it is worshipped at a temple for Daoism
and Confucianism, and sometimes with Buddhism too.
Ancient Civilizations –
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