Tao Te Ching: Philosophy, Origins, and Core Teachings

Introduction to the Tao Te Ching

The Tao Te Ching is one of the most influential and important philosophical texts in human history. Attributed to the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu and dated between 500 and 400 BCE, the teachings contained within the Tao Te Ching have become collectively known as Taoism. The term "tao" or "dao" is usually translated straightforwardly as "the way," but the full title of the text may refer to a cluster of concepts including "the way of integrity" (Walter 1) or "the way and its power" ("Lao Tzu: The Father of Taoism" 1). Knierim points out that the term "ching" means scripture and the term "te" means both strength and virtue. Thus, Tao Te Ching refers to a scriptural text about the way or path of strength and virtue. The Tao Te Ching is not a narrative text but a prescriptive one, written as short verses containing wisdom and advice for how to live ethically, with authenticity, and in harmony with the rest of the world.

Unfortunately, the origins and even the authorship of the Tao Te Ching remain shrouded in mystery, because there is no definitive information about whether Lao Tzu wrote all 81 verses or whether he compiled them from prevailing Taoist texts of his predecessors and contemporaries. Lao Tzu was an archivist, scribe, and calligrapher working for the imperial court, but "little can be said with absolute certainty about the origins of the Tao Te Ching" (Walter 1). In fact, little is actually known about Lao Tzu (sometimes spelled with the pinyin Laozi). Lao Tzu is more of a nickname — a term that means "old master" (Walter 1) or "old sage" ("Lao Tzu: Father of Taoism" 1). His real name may have been Li Erh, meaning "long ears" ("History of the Tao Te Ching" 1). Although it is sometimes suspected that Lao Tzu was only one of many authors who contributed to the Tao Te Ching, "the coherence of the text, and the consistency of the tone, point to a single extraordinarily wise author" ("History of the Tao Te Ching" 1).

The Legend and Mystery of the Tao Te Ching

The mystery surrounding the author and origins of the text has given rise to legends and myths. For example, one legend holds that Lao Tzu was "conceived at the moment that his mother glimpsed a falling star," and another that he was "born at the age of 62 when his mother stopped to rest beneath a plum tree" ("History of the Tao Te Ching" 1). The motif of his conception coinciding with a falling star implies a cosmic significance and parallels the core teachings of Taoism as reflecting harmonious concordance with the universe. The concept of Lao Tzu being born at age 62 reflects the belief in the sage's innate wisdom and his being predestined to be a teacher of the Tao. Indeed, the name Lao Tzu can also be translated as "old-young," referring to the legend of his being born already a wise man (Knierim 3). Moreover, if Li Erh ("Long Ears") was indeed his birth name, Lao Tzu would have been named after "a Chinese symbol of wisdom and longevity" ("History of the Tao Te Ching" 1). Ascribing near-supernatural status to the author elevates the Tao Te Ching to the level of sacred text, even though the author does not subscribe to a deistic cosmology. Taoism is not a theological text, but it is a transcendent one.

Another legend surrounding the origin of the text and how Lao Tzu came to write it may have some grounding in the historical record, even if there is little archaeological evidence to substantiate it. According to this legend, Lao Tzu fled war-torn regions of China by riding a water buffalo into the mountains toward Tibet. When he reached a mountain pass, a gatekeeper named Yin Xi asked that Lao Tzu record his wisdom in writing. Lao Tzu agreed, and within a few days inscribed the 5,000 Chinese characters that comprise the text of the Tao Te Ching. According to the legend, Lao Tzu was never seen again ("History of the Tao Te Ching"; Knierim).

The Content of the Tao Te Ching

There are many different English translations of the text, each affecting its overall interpretation and meaning. However, Taoism is ultimately a philosophy of being — a guide for right thinking and right attitude that can help people enjoy living harmoniously and peacefully rather than creating or perpetuating conflict. Whereas its counterpart philosophical tradition, Confucianism, was concerned more with ethical precepts in terms of social norms and political culture, Taoism is more about personal responsibility and introspection as the keys to right living. The Tao is itself "an attitude, state of mind or way of being in the world" ("History of the Tao Te Ching" 1). One general theme of the Tao Te Ching is that individuals possess the power to transform the world by changing themselves and by living in harmony with nature and with other people.

Taoist philosophy emphasizes detachment and non-striving, similar to Buddhist precepts. However similar their core worldviews, the motifs and symbols of Taoism differ significantly. A key principle of Taoism is the yin/yang: a concept of dualism that does not pit good against evil but which illustrates the interplay of opposing forces of nature. Yin is often associated with darkness, coolness, receptivity, and the female principles of nature. Yang is linked with heat, light, and masculinity. Yin and yang need to be in balance to create and maintain harmony in the universe and in the lives of human beings. The principles of yin and yang do not compete with one another, but they are nevertheless essential for their mutual expression. They are "inextricably one, and cannot exist apart from each other," indicating the "perfect symmetry of the universe" ("History of the Tao Te Ching" 1).

The yin/yang principle is not the only tenet of the Tao Te Ching. Taoism also informs right action in the world, without the moralizing and pedantry of Confucianism. For example, the section on power and politics shows how genuine personal power comes not from oppressing others but from true self-confidence, self-esteem, peace, and poise: "True Persons know themselves but make no show of themselves. They know their value but do not exalt themselves" (Lao Tzu, Section 72). Another principle expressed by Lao Tzu is the folly of materialism. He urges people "to turn away from the folly of human pursuits and to return to one's natural wellspring" ("Lao Tzu: Father of Taoism" 1). Lao Tzu also stresses the importance of mindfulness, awareness, and self-mastery. "The central thing the Tao Te Ching asks us to be aware of is not the world, but our self" (Walter 1). By focusing inward, the individual can correct character flaws and bad attitudes, transforming the self into a balanced, kind, caring, and harmonious person.

Works Cited

Heider, John. Tao of Leadership. Kindle Edition, 1997.

"History of the Tao Te Ching." Caroline Victoria Coldicutt Arts Foundation. Retrieved from http://taobookproject.com/?page_id=581

Hoff, Benjamin. The Tao of Pooh. Penguin, 1982.

James, Geoffrey. The Tao of Programming. Retrieved from http://www.mit.edu/~xela/tao.html

Knierim, Thomas. "The Tao Te Ching." Commentary. PDF Version.

Lao Tzu. Tao Te Ching. Trans. Tolbert McCarroll. PDF version.

"Lao Tzu: Father of Taoism." (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/lao.html

Walter, Damien. "The Tao Te Ching by Laozi: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times." The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/dec/27/comfort-reading-tao-te-ching-laozi