Lao Tse / Taoism

According to some, Lao Tse lived in central China in the 5th century BC. He is said to have been about twenty years older than Confucious, and 100 years older than Socrates.

Unfortunately there's no proof Lao Tse ever lived. Though some say he wrote the Tao Te Ching's 5000 characters in only a few days during a burst of inspiration, others say the verses were compiled from the wisdom-sayings of many different authors.

In "The Records of the Grand Historian" there are three stories about Lao Tse. The Grand Historian was Sima Quian (145-86 BC).

Story #1: Lao Tse was a contemporary of Confucious (551-479 BC). He worked in the imperial archives and wrote a book in two parts before leaving to travel west. His given name was Li Er (Plum Ear). After death he was called Li Dan (Plum Long Ear).

Story #2: Called "Old Come Master," Lao Tse wrote a book in 15 parts. Same time period.

Story #3: Lao Tse was identified as Lao Dan (Old Long Ear) a historian and astrologer who lived from 384-362 BC.
Taoism (pronounced Dao-ism) is the native religion of China. Tao means The Way, and refers to the way a person reaches immortality.

The basic principles of Taoism include:

· Liberation from the material world: by which the soul is freed from its earthly body.

· Immortality of the soul: which is obtained through the understanding of Tao.

· The triumph of Yang over Yin: also know as the triumph of the ethereal body.

· Ultimate transformation: a soul can travel freely in space, or visit the world of the immortals.

Ancient Taoists beliefs can be traced back to China's first written history. These texts, dating from the mid-second century B.C.E., were written by the Chinese philosopher Ssu-ma Ch'ien. They described the Taoist quest for the "Philosopher's Stone," also known as the elixir of immortality. The concept of The Philosopher's Stone later transpired to the West, where it became part of the Hermetic tradition in Europe.

The two most important Taoist philosophers include Lao Tzu (The Old Master) and Chuang Tzu (Master Chuang). They are credited with forming the basis of Philosophical Taoism, as well as constructing the basis of Taoist scripture.

Even though historians of Taoism site philosophers Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu as early leaders of the Taoist movement, there are several differences between Philosophical and Religious Taoism.

Philosophical Taoism
Philosophical Taoism is the Chinese tradition of ancient wisdom. Early Taoists stressed the importance of "letting things flow." Humans cannot predict their own future, and accordingly must deal with the fortunes (or misfortunes) they face.

An important goal for Taoists is to discover one's passion, for it can help stabilize an individual's direction in life. This passion can include a love for poetry, writing, art, etc. In modern times, it could include baseball, collecting coins or traveling. It is essential to find one's "niche" in life, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Death is viewed as another aspect of life, and must be accepted and acknowledged as something we cannot change.

Religious Taoism
Religious Taoism has a different emphasis. Rather than focusing on the flow of life, there is an emphasis on health and fitness. The goal is to postpone death (unlike in Philosophical Taoism, where death is welcomed as a part of life). This can be achieved though several methods of extending one's longevity. There are also many gods associated with Religious Taoism, while in Philosophical Taoism there is not.

Early Chinese Taoists practiced Alchemy, the art of metal conversion. They believed humans had the ability to turn themselves into entities that would last forever, like gold or stone. Many alchemists died trying to find the secret of immortality, by swallowing rocks or drinking mercury. If a rock could last throughout infinity, could its properties effect human longevity? This concept may seem bizarre today, but these practices lead to the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional methods of medicine are increasingly being excepted by Western science.

A List of Some Common Taoist Terms:
Alchemy - the science of metal conversion.
Chenjen - "True man;" one that has reached enlightenment.
Chien - male/positive.
Hunpo - man's animal spirit.
Hsiao - filial piety/code of behavior.
K'un - female/negative.
Ko Ch'ang-Keng - "Buddhist" form of Taoism.
Nei-tan - intangible objects.
Nirvana - "Enlightenment" in Buddhist belief.
Oracle Bones - remains of animal bones used in divination rituals.
"Philosopher's Stone" - mythical elixir of immortality.
Tao - "The Way;" refering to the way to reach immortality.
Tsu - refers to male descendants of a common ancestor.
Wai-tan - tangible substances.
Yang - the soul; the ethereal body.
Yin - the physical body; the body of sensual desires.