Lao Tzu and Tao Te Ching

Lao Tzu named Li Dan, was a philosopher credited with founding the philosophical system of Taoism. He is best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching translated as “The Way of Virtue.”

道Tao, literally means "way", where it implies the essential, mysterious process of the universe.

德 Te, means "virtue", "personal character", "inner strength", "integrity", "divine power", or "healing virtue”, as well as the modern meaning of "moral excellence" or "the highest goodness."

道德 Tao Te together literally means "ethical principles."

經 Ching, means "canon", "great book", or "classic.”

Lao Tzu, the Buddha, and Confucius were contemporaries.

Taoism - Lao Tzu (571-471 BCE) 100 years old

Buddhism - the Buddha (563-483 BCE) 80 years old

Confucianism - Confucius (551-479 BCE) 72 years old

The three lived around the same time in history!

Confucius Met Lao Tzu

The story of the meeting of Confucius and Lao Tzu in the state of Zhou, while Lao Tzu was curator of the royal archives was published by Si-ma Ch'ien Historical Records.

Confucius went to Zhou wanting to ask Lao Tzu about the Tao three times. Lao Tzu once told Confucius:

“Let go of the arrogance, desires, pretentious demeanor and unbridled ambition. None of these is good for health."

Confucius came back and told his disciples, "As for birds, I understand how they can fly; with fish, I understand how they can swim; and with animals, I understand how they can run. But when it comes to dragons, I cannot understand how they ascend into the sky riding the wind and the clouds. Today I met Lao Tzu, and he's just like a dragon! He is a real master.”

Confucius then concluded, “Having heard the Tao in the morning, one may die (content) in the evening.”

Reference: Robert G. Henricks - Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, Columbia University Press, 2000.

Editing credit to Rhonda Richey