Tao Te Ching example essay topic

With origins dating back to 600 BC, Taoism is one of the earliest religions of the far east, predating both Buddhism and Confusiascism. It has survived for centuries, withstanding opposition from anti-Taoist dynasties by storing texts in hollowed out walls. Despite its hardships, Taoism has persevered and is still an important part of Eastern though and religion. The most well known of all Taoist sages is the fabled Lao-Tzu. He is credited with writing the Tao Te Ching, the first book to capture Taoist beliefs and thoughts. This is often debated, however, on the grounds that Lao-Tzu may have been the pen name of several sages working together to create the Tao Te Ching (2).

Little is known about the origins of the Tao, Taoists believe that while passing through the hills of China, a bridge keeper asked Lao-Tzu to write a book containing his thoughts and beliefs. To satisfy this request, Lao-Tzu wrote what he called "The Book of 5000 Characters". (3) This later became known as the Tao Te Ching. When translated, Tao Te Ching means "The Classic Way and Virtue", Tao meaning way or path, Te meaning virtue, and Ching meaning classic (1). Li Er is thought to be Lao-Tzu's given name, if this is true, then Lao-Tzu spent time as the head librarian of the imperial archives.

While there, Lao-Tzu (then known as Li Er) studied Chinese history, philosophy, and other works of classic Chinese literature. Later in his life, Lao-Tzu is said to have encounter Confucius (5). At this meeting, Confucius asked Lao-Tzu to explain his views on Taoism. Though the actual conversation is not documented, Confucius came away from the meeting inawe of Lao-Tzu's great intellect.

After the encounter, Confucius said to his followers, "I know that a bird can fly; that fishes can swim; that animals can run. Things that run can be caught in nets. What can swim can be caught in traps. What can fly can be shot down with arrows. But what to do with the dragon I do not know. It rises on the clouds and the wind.

Today I have met Lao-Tzu and he is like the dragon". (1) The Tao Te Ching is broken into two sections containing short chapters in a poetry like form. The first section titled Tao or The way is is made up of the first 37 chapters of the book. This opening section discusses the nature of the Tao.

Lao Tzu describes the Tao as an unseen force that all life flows from. The Tao is the source of heaven, heaven is the source of the earth, and the earth is the source of mankind. The second division of the book is titled Te or The Virtue. It is comprised of chapter 38 to chapter 81. This later section of the text is predominately about how a Taoist sage should rule over his people (1).

One well emphasized point of the Tao Te Ching is the concept of Wu-Wei, or in English, "do nothing". The misinterpretation of this idea is what made emperors try and ban Taoism for fear that it would lead to laziness among their people. The correct interpretation of Wu-Wei does not encourage laziness at all it in fact, means to not do anything that you must force yourself to do. Things that come naturally usually are the best, things that people must force themselves to do generally are not as good (6). The Taoist paradigm is one of simplicity, living for the good of nature and mankind rather than being driven by self interest. By following the Tao, and practicing the act of wu-wei, the Taoist were able to live a simple yet fulfilling life.