Biography
Laozi (c. 6th century BC), sometimes spelled Lao Tzu or Lao Tze was an ancient Chinese philosopher. He is the founder of philosophical Taoism, and is considered a deity in religious Taoism and some other ancient Chinese religions. Though his alleged writings are well-preserved (there has been some dispute about their truth authorship), many aspects of his life remain shrouded in mystery. His main beliefs emphasize simplicity, humility, and harmony with the natural way of life.
Influential Works
Tao Te Ching by Publication Date: 2001Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching is not only the single most important text in Chinese spirituality, it is probably the most influential spiritual text in human history. Hinton's translation adds startling new dimensions to this text, revealing it as the originary text of deep environmental and feminist thought. This new translation reveals how remarkably current and even innovative this text is after 2500 years.
Daodejing by Publication Date: 2008The best-loved of all the classical books of China and the most universally popular, the Daodejing or Classic of the Way and Life-Force is a work that defies definition. It encapsulates the main tenets of Daoism, and upholds a way of being as well as a philosophy and a religion. Simple commentary accompanies the text, and the introduction provides further historical and interpretative context.
