A central figure in Chinese culture, Laozi is generally considered the founder of Taoism. He was claimed and revered as the ancestor of the Tang dynasty (618–907) and is similarly honored in modern China as the progenitor of the popular surname Li. In some sects of Taoism, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Chinese folk religion, it is held that he then became an immortal hermit. Certain Taoist devotees held that the Dào Dé Jīng was the avatar – embodied as a book – of the god Laojun, one of the Three Pure Ones of the Taoist pantheon, though few philosophers believe this.
Life and Career
The Dào Dé Jīng had a profound influence on Chinese religious movements and on subsequent Chinese philosophers, who annotated, commended, and criticized the texts extensively. In the 20th century, textual criticism by historians led to theories questioning Laozi's timing or even existence, positing that the received text of the Dào Dé Jīng was not composed until the Warring States period (c. 475 – 221 BC), and was the product of multiple authors.
Key Facts
- Born: January 1, 6 in Chujen village, State of Chu
- Died: 4
- Field: Literature
Legacy and Impact
The influence of Laozi extends far beyond his own lifetime. He fundamentally shaped literature and the written word, and his written works and literary innovations remain foundational to this day.
Though he passed away in 4, his ideas continue to be studied, debated, and built upon by scholars and practitioners worldwide.
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