Tao Te Ching, is a Chinese classic text traditionally credited to the 6th-century BC; the work of a source of inspiration that inspired many artists including poets, painters, calligraphers, and gardeners.
The period of life of this legendary figure is typically dated to the sixth century BC, which means that Lao Tzu was contemporary with Confucius. One legend claims he was an older contemporary of Confucius, who supposedly left an account of meeting Lao Tzu, in which Confucius likened Lao Tzu’s mysterious presence to that of a dragon.
Lao Tzu’s greatest legacy given to the Taoists is the knowledge of immortality, the path to the practical achievement of immortality. In folk beliefs, he is considered the patron saint of spell casters, blacksmiths, jewelers, grinders, and craftsmen.
No doubt, Lao Tzu is a central figure in Chinese culture and many legends are related to this remarkable personality. Along with the creation of Taoism, Lao Tzu was considered a cosmic and divine being.
Legends surround this remarkable and highly mysterious figure from the distant past. In his fascinating book “Lost Cities of China, Central Asia and India”, David Hatcher Childress writes that “the great Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, often talked of the “Ancient Ones” in his writings, much as Confucius did.
Other legends reveals that Lao Tzu (in some versions after his death), traveled across the Himalayas, came to India, where he became a teacher of Gautama Buddha (or even his father). Such views are not supported by Buddhists, however, and in their historical records there is no evidence, or even clues, pointing to Lao Tzu as Buddha’s teacher.
All the information we possess about him, is highly inconclusive, so he is lost in the mists of early Chinese history. In one version of his story, he was born on September 14, 604 BC in the kingdom of Ch’u, after being conceived by a falling star, or from solar energy collected in a five-color pearl swallowed by his mother). After spending 62 years in her womb, he finally appeared as a silver-haired sage who began to make philosophical pronouncements.
In another, he was born to a cultural family living at K’uhsien in 571 BC. He became the keeper of the imperial archives and this occupation allowed him to spend much time to develop his philosophical ideas.
Sometime in middle to his late life, Lao Tzu became deeply disappointed with the society, and decided to leave. He mounted a water buffalo to ride west toward Tibet, where he would live in solitude. As he was leaving at one of the border posts of China, a gatekeeper tried to talk him out of becoming a hermit in his old age and asked him to turn back to his people. Lao Tzu refused.
The gatekeeper then persuaded him to at least write down his thoughts before he abandoned civilization, and this Lao Tzu agreed to do.
Then, the sage was free to pass beyond the gate. He went on to unknown destinies, and was never heard from again. Other sources say that the Old Master did not leave China at all, and his grave is in his native village, now called Luyi, where his mother is also buried.
The exact time and place of his death remain unknown.
Lao Tzu preached to no one and he did not collect followers in his lifetime. He lived quietly and discreetly almost his entire long life of more than 80 years, and ultimately turned his back on society to live a simple life of peace and contemplation.
He avoided fame, lived in isolation. He was modest, gentle and he was not interested in honors and riches.
The whole collective image of Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher is filled with symbolism. In Taoist legends, Lao Tzu represents the embodiment of wisdom and contemplative beginnings.
To everyone he met on his way, the sage said exactly the same: Be yourself, do your part. He set natural law above law. He preferred a simple and peaceful life without rules and any restrictions.
The Tao Te Ching was written in China roughly 2,500 years ago at about the same time when Buddha expounded the Dharma in India and Pythagoras taught in Greece. The Tao Te Ching is probably the most influential Chinese book of all times. Its 81 chapters have been translated into English more times than any other Chinese document.
The Tao Te Ching provides the basis for the philosophical school of Taoism, which is an important pillar of Chinese thought. Taoism teaches that there is one undivided truth at the root of all things. It literally means: tao (the way) te (strength/virtue) ching (scripture).
Tao Te Ching pdf download here.