Taoism Initiation Page

The Founder of Taoism

Though we my found Taoist ideas and believes in the centuries before the Warring States period (5^th century BC - 3rd century BC) in China, it may be assumed that the true founder of Taoism was Lao-tzu. Starting with him, or more precisely with his Tao-te ching, we may speak about a Taoist movement.

Lao-tzu is the presumed founder of Taoism

Lao-tzu is the traditional author of Tao-te ching (The Classic of Tao and its Characteristics); he is the one who introduced and explained the main Taoist concepts such as nondoing, fu, emptiness.

Lao-tzu applied the Taoist philosophy to the human conduct as well. He designed the behavior of the political leaders and princes in conformity with the immutable laws of the Universe, or the Tao. And what is most important, he tried to describe the Tao, though it is impossible to explain in plain words what is beyond our conscious perception.

Most of the specialists interested in Taoism today state that Lao-tzu didn't exist as a person and author of Tao-te ching. Lao-tzu would have been the title of the book or a groups of persons interested in philosophy and speculation.

Still Tao-te ching remains the Bible of Taoism and its author (could he/she be a Taoist sage or group of persons) the founder of Taoism.

Usually we study Taoism in relation with Lao-tzu and his life philosophy as recorded by the Chinese antiquity historian Ssu-ma Ch'ien (145-85 BC).

• See also:
  => Lao-tzu - his life and doctrine
  => Tao-te ching - the Book of Tao and Te
  => Learn more about Lao-tzu and his Tao-te ching by taking our email course - click here...
  => Taoism Resources (translations, comments, dictionaries)

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