"The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text and foundational work of Taoism written around 400 BC and traditionally credited to the sage Laozi..."
A philosophical text that originated in China, attributed to Lao Tzu and containing teachings on Taoism.
Daoism: An ancient Chinese philosophy that advocates living in harmony with the natural world and emphasizes the concept of the Dao (or Tao), which is the ultimate reality and source of all things.
Lao Tzu: The legendary author of the Dao De Jing, Lao Tzu is considered the father of Daoism and a key figure in Eastern philosophy.
Yin and Yang: One of the most famous concepts of Eastern philosophy, Yin and Yang refers to the idea that everything in the universe is composed of two opposing but complementary forces that are constantly interacting and balancing each other out.
Wu Wei: Translated as "non-action" or "actionless activity," this concept emphasizes the importance of effortless action and the idea that the best results are achieved by allowing things to happen naturally, without force or resistance.
Inner Alchemy: An ancient Taoist meditation practice that involves cultivating, refining, and using one's own life force (known as Qi) to achieve greater physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual growth.
Zen Buddhism: A Japanese school of Buddhism that emerged from the fusion of Chinese Chan Buddhism and Japanese culture, Zen emphasizes the importance of quiet meditation and direct experience over intellectual understanding.
Qigong: Another ancient Chinese practice, Qigong is a holistic system of movement, breathing, and meditation that is designed to cultivate and balance one's life force (Qi).
The Five Elements: A key concept in traditional Chinese medicine, The Five Elements (or Five Phases) refer to the five elemental energies of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, which are thought to underlie all aspects of the universe, including the human body and mind.
The Eight Trigrams: Another important concept in Chinese philosophy, The Eight Trigrams represent eight different combinations of Yin and Yang energies that are used in divination and are thought to reflect different aspects of the natural world.
Confucianism: A Chinese ethical and social philosophy that emphasizes the importance of personal and social responsibility, Confucianism has played a significant role in shaping Chinese culture and society for thousands of years.
"...though the text's authorship, date of composition, and date of compilation are debated."
"The oldest excavated portion dates back to the late 4th century BC..."
"The Tao Te Ching, along with the Zhuangzi, is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism."
"It also strongly influenced other schools of Chinese philosophy and religion, including Legalism, Confucianism, and Chinese Buddhism..."
"...which was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts when it was originally introduced to China."
"Many artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and gardeners, have used the Tao Te Ching as a source of inspiration."
"Its influence has spread widely within the globe's artistic and academic spheres."
"It is one of the most translated texts in world literature."
"Pinyin: Dàodé Jīng [tâʊ tɤ̌ tɕíŋ]"
"The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text and foundational work of Taoism..."
"...though the text's authorship, date of composition, and date of compilation are debated."
"...though the text's authorship, date of composition, and date of compilation are debated. ... credited to the sage Laozi."
"It also strongly influenced other schools of Chinese philosophy and religion, including Legalism, Confucianism, and Chinese Buddhism..."
"Many artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and gardeners, have used the Tao Te Ching as a source of inspiration."
"Its influence has spread widely within the globe's artistic and academic spheres."
"It is one of the most translated texts in world literature."
"Many artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and gardeners, have used the Tao Te Ching as a source of inspiration."
"The oldest excavated portion dates back to the late 4th century BC..."
"But modern scholarship dates other parts of the text as having been written—or at least compiled—later than the earliest portions of the Zhuangzi."