Lao Tzu (Laozi) is credited as being the founder of Daoism (Taoism).

1. E. Napp Lao Tzu (Laozi) is credited as being the founder of Daoism (Taoism).

2. There is no historical evidence to support this fact. Yet it is believed that Laozi worked as a government official but left to live as a hermit in the mountains. E. Napp

3. E. Napp Daoists believe that before Laozi became a hermit, a gatekeeper asked him to write his philosophy for future seekers.

4. E. Napp Laozi was a contemporary of Confucius. However, he believed that the best way to achieve peace and harmony was to live naturally.

5. E. Napp Laozi believed that people had lost their way. They needed to look to nature and learn from nature. The fish is a fish. It does not try to live as a bird.

6. E. Napp The Dao is the way or the path. It is the way of nature. By acting naturally, peace and harmony arise. A crooked tree is not good for lumber but it provides shade on a hot day.

7. E. Napp Like Confucius, Laozi wanted to restore peace and harmony to China but he believed that society’s rules were unnatural. When man lived simply in nature, according to his true nature, man achieved peace and harmony.

8. E. Napp In the darkness, is light. In the light, is darkness. The Yin-Yang is an important symbol in Daoism. It represents nonduality or the concept that within every concept is its opposite.

9. E. Napp Water is another important symbol in Daoism. Water flows. It is soft but it can wear away the hardness of a rock.

10. E. Napp The Tao Te Ching is an important book in Daoism. It explains the wisdom of the Dao.

11. E. Napp Although Confucianism became the official philosophy of dynastic China, Daoism influenced the arts. Do you see the Daoist influence?