Laozi sculpture
During the Spring and Autumn Period, Laozi lived in Luoyi, the capital of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. He took up the post of preserving Tibetan history, which is equivalent to our current director of the National Library.
Laozi is knowledgeable. It is said that Confucius said hello to Laozi and asked questions when he traveled around the world. In his later years, Lao Tzu led a heifer in Hanguguan and wrote the 5000-word Tao Te Ching. Also known as Laozi. Unfortunately, the original Tao Te Ching is missing.
It is full of dialectics. In modern times, Laozi's philosophy and ancient Greek philosophy formed two unparalleled peaks in human philosophy. Laozi was also called "the father of China's philosophy" by the late Buddha because of his profound philosophical thoughts.
Later, Zhuangzi inherited Laozi's thoughts and became the core of China's traditional ideology and culture together with Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. After the appearance of Taoism, Laozi was honored as "the old gentleman on the throne" by later generations. Since the Han Dynasty, emperors have gone to Lu Yi to worship Laozi.
Laozi's main idea is "governing by doing nothing". His ideal political realm is "old age."
Laozi's "Tao" is used to explain the evolution of everything. His theory has a far-reaching influence on the development of China's philosophy, and his thoughts are mainly embodied in Tao Te Ching.
The relationship between Confucius and Laozi
In history, Confucius seems to be more famous than Laozi, and Confucianism founded by Confucius is also higher than Laozi. However, in fact, who is taller than who, whose thoughts are more recognized by the world, and whose thoughts are greater, are actually just different views. Everyone has his own understanding and advantages.
Confucius
There is no clear definition of whether a person's idea is right or wrong, just as there is no standard answer in a Chinese test paper. Candidates in the examination room only rely on their own understanding and the preferences of the marking teacher. Therefore, there is no need for Laozi and Confucius to entangle who wins and who loses. Only people prefer Taoism or Confucianism.
In addition, the relationship between these two people in history is also regarded as a teacher and friend. There is really no need to tell the winner in this matter.
When Confucius was young, he asked Laozi many times about "courtesy". Although they gradually formed their own ideas and had different views on this issue, they finally broke up in the discussion. One is virtue, the other is kindness; One is the founder of Taoism, and the other is the founder of Confucianism. Although it doesn't look exactly the opposite, it's still a different idea.
However, although Confucius and Laozi have different ideas, the ideas they put forward are still the cultural treasures they left to future generations and the sacred books written by the sages to solve our doubts and difficulties.
Laozi's and Confucius' benevolence theory solved doubts for later generations and understood the truth of being a man. Understand nature, etiquette and filial piety.
The story of Laozi
Laozi has many stories handed down in the world. I'll talk about one of them first. In Sima Qian's Tao Te Ching, Confucius asked Laozi for advice.
Laozi bronze statue
Once, when Confucius went to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, he took all his disciples to see Laozi. I like peace, and I am a little overwhelmed by a group of "guests from afar". But he didn't ignore them. He immediately went out and asked everyone, "What can I do for you, teachers?"
Confucius, standing in the front row, saw the old man in front of the door, personable and personable. Knowing that the old man was Lao Zi, he respectfully asked him for instructions.
I hate red tape, so I smiled at Confucius and replied, "Teacher, I have nothing to teach you. However, if you think that living in the house next door is not too shabby, you can chat, discuss and entertain yourself. "
Confucius has always been quite conservative. Seeing Lao Tzu's free and easy appearance, he yearned for it, but he still restrained himself and treated others politely. Although Laozi's attitude was modest, Confucius acted according to etiquette and did not dare to cross the line, so he was very restrained. The two men talked in the room for a while. Lao Tzu thought Confucius was too serious and tasteless, so he asked Confucius, "You came all the way to ask me what I think of the so-called' ceremony', didn't you?" So I want to ask you, what is the basis of your "politeness"? '
Confucius was surprised and immediately replied, "This is probably the first imperial edict of the Duke of Zhou, the system of rites and music."
After that, the two talked about some opinions. I really don't agree with Confucius' rigidity. The conversation between the two men was also awkward and there was no further discussion.
Know the difference between old and new.
Laozi is the core figure who first put forward Taoist thought and the originator of this school. Zhuangzi inherited and developed Laozi's main ideas and made them continue. Lao Zi and Zhuangzi are both Taoist masters. Both of them complement each other in thought and develop Taoist thought. Although their ideas have similarities and differences, they also have many obvious differences when we observe them carefully.
Portrait of Laozi
Laozi and Zhuangzi take "Tao" as the core content, but there are great differences in dealing with the relationship between man and Tao. Laozi thinks that human beings are the greatest creatures in the world and have unparalleled advantages in the world. But Zhuangzi thinks that everything is like this, and so are people. He put forward the idea of "putting things together".
Laozi has an idea that "if you don't do it, you will do it." For example, in governing the country, inaction is not really inaction or negative. It is dealing with people and things. Everything has its own law of development. In fact, I still care about these achievements and benefits. He has some feelings about joining the WTO. Otherwise, Zhuangzi is more passive, regardless, away from the world of mortals, away from deception and intrigue, and not interested in money and fame. They all pursue freedom in life, but they have different attitudes.
Laozi pursues pure freedom, while Zhuangzi pursues transcendence of nature and selflessness. Although they are different, the Taoism they represent has played a great role in the formation of China's thoughts and values. Moreover, in modern society, this idea has great survival value in colorful life.