The life of Lao Tse (Old Master) is not well documented save for the many mystical stories on him with respect to Taoism. One source said that he is said to be the keeper or librarian of archives of an ancient emperor of China but even this cannot be exactly pinpointed. He left the palace and the city and traveled to the border with view to leave China for the wilderness. At the border, he was stopped by the border guard who requested him to write his teachings before departing for the wilderness on a water buffalo to be with nature. This account of him as a man is most in keeping with his values.
He is highly revered and yet we know little of his person and his life story. His life story is very much shrouded in controversy in that there are different accounts. Even the era of his life is not agreed upon by historians, some of whom even questioned if he is a historical reality or mere fiction created by others. But we do know of what came to be his literary works on life and the way of life.
He refers to Tao as the cause, the reason and the logic behind everything, just like Buddhists refer to Dharma, the truth as behind everything. Dharma is not just truth nut phenomena.
He refers to Tao as the cause, the reason and the logic behind everything, just like Buddhists refer to Dharma, the truth as behind everything. Dharma is not just truth nut phenomena.
Lao-Tse is perhaps the earliest teacher of the Taoism. He is the first author of The Te-Tao Ching. He taught that Tao, or the Way exists before everything else in the universe. Te is the life energy in things and everything operates based on this. The way this energy operates is called Tao. Tao can be experienced as the oneness in all things in life.
Tao has to do the morality of man - how man functions and the role of man in society. He highlights three virtues in man - courage, generosity, and leadership.
He exhorts that man must be spontaneous in doing good and to be genuine in doing good. Man must not do good due to need to seek approval of other men. He believes people should not put on a show for others. Man should äct without acting but be genuine in wanting to act or do. This is to avoid insincerity and hypocrisy.
According to Lao Tse, Confucian virtues of humanity and righteousness may end up with insincerity and hypocrisy. When virtues make distinctions between right and wrong, there is the problem of men wanting to please others and seek their approval.
Like many teachers such as Confucius and Buddha, he shares with them the need for men to avoid extremes and achieve balance and peace.
Simplicity and balance are values of all religions and have to do with the inner truth common to all religions. This is referred to by Lord Bo Tien in his early messages and is the doctrinal thrust of the mission to show evidence of oneness in purpose of all religions.
While sage Lao Tse emphasizes peace and tranquility of the self, the sage Confucius emphasizes on morality and social order and hierarchical structure in society.
Like many teachers such as Confucius and Buddha, he shares with them the need for men to avoid extremes and achieve balance and peace.
Simplicity and balance are values of all religions and have to do with the inner truth common to all religions. This is referred to by Lord Bo Tien in his early messages and is the doctrinal thrust of the mission to show evidence of oneness in purpose of all religions.
Lao-Tse advocates oneness with nature and regards genuineness, sincerity, and spontaneity as integral to the inherent nature in man right from birth. He is all for perfect blending and harmony with nature as depicted by the harmony of complementary polarities of nature such as the yin and yang e.g. sunshine and rain. Oneness in yin and yang is symbolized by the Tai ji of Bagua.
With regards to oneness with nature, he describes man as part of nature and the attributes of nature such as fire, water, air, wood (earth) and metal are found in man and in nature. Harmony and blending of these attributes bring balance and peace.
He also advocates simplicity of life. Man must be free from cunning and trying to be too clever (upmanship). Man must not live life devoted to the pursuit of profit. Man must free himself from complexities. Man must live simple life - life that is more in keeping with nature. There is less of upheavals and swings in life if man is able to moderate life and be simple. It is easier to balance the yin and yang in life and nature.
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With regards to oneness with nature, he describes man as part of nature and the attributes of nature such as fire, water, air, wood (earth) and metal are found in man and in nature. Harmony and blending of these attributes bring balance and peace.
He also advocates simplicity of life. Man must be free from cunning and trying to be too clever (upmanship). Man must not live life devoted to the pursuit of profit. Man must free himself from complexities. Man must live simple life - life that is more in keeping with nature. There is less of upheavals and swings in life if man is able to moderate life and be simple. It is easier to balance the yin and yang in life and nature.
Thus knowing Lao Tse for what he stands for, why would he want to be immortalized by historians. Even if he is an immortal, for which he is, he would rather be known for his views on life than for who he is among the immortals. That the Tao Te Ching is so voluminous and complex is not in keeping with his emphasis on simplicity and union with nature.
Lao Tse is all for simplicity. Truth is simple but profound to those who are entwined by the trappings of men and civilisation. Religions too are simple but men complicate religions such that religions are no longer simple and far from their natural original forms. The original fervor and vigor of the founders of religions are often diluted or even lost over time as mentioned by Lord Bo Tien and simplicity is lost in the process
Lao Tse's teaching focus is that we be simple and be in harmony with nature and beings. We must learn to be at peace with life, be with life and not distinct from life. We must not stand out in life like sore thumbs. The best option is to steer clear of societal trappings and be with nature.
It is irony that men makes Lao Tse a supreme immortal so far removed from ordinary men and nature when he is pro-life and pro-nature. That is why he is depicted leaving the city and on a buffalo. He carries a pearl and a ru-yi. The pearl is the truth of life and the ru-yi reflects his place of honor in the history of men. But our image of him is that he is dressed like ordinary men and travels on water buffalo, not a sedan or chariot.
