Pre-chin Daoism先秦道家： Laozi老子.pptVIP

Pre-chin Daoism先秦道家: Laozi老子 I. Laozi (551-479B.C.???) The “author” (?) of Daodeching An older contemporary of Confucius some said he lived to a great age D.C. Lau (1921-2010): the translator of The Analects, The Mencius, Dao De Ching (Penguin Classics version) Laozi was not a historical figure at all. stories in other texts (e.g. Zhuangzi) can’t be taken as historical evidence Purposeful: “Lao” (老) “zi” (子) means “an old man/ old men” In 4 3 B.C., at least two works with titles meaning “elder” and “older man of mature wisdom.” these works were more or less anthologies complied from short passages by an editor or a series of editors. II. The Period when Laozi was Born Late Zhou Dynasty Spring-autumn Period Warring Period a golden age of Chinese thought: Hundred Schools Period諸子百家時代 1st time in China: Scholars/philosophers of the common people Help the feudal lords and win wealth, prestige, fame. III. Laozi’s Dao De Ching道德徑  (Classic of Dao and De) # Only 5250 Chinese characters The shortest among the few most important ancient texts More commentaries than any other classics Many passages are lost / only in fragments Maybe a development from Yang Chu楊朱’s teachings: Yang Chu said, “Even simply pulling out a hair of mine and the whole empire will be benefited. I will not do it.拔一毛以利天下不為” NOT egoism in modern sense Yang Chu: To preserve life is the most important !!! Living in a period of warfare A piece of your hair is much precious that an empire IV. How to read the Dao De Ching道德經 Laozi’s Book: Dao De Ching Structure: similar to texts in that period (e.g. The Analects) How to read? To look for key concepts, and to relate them Laozi’s Dao De Ching For the sage-ruler the common people: rules the state/ live successfully by non-interference V. Daosim vs. Confucianism Confucianism: social order and an active life conformity; self-cultivation/morality Daoism: individual life and tranquility non-conformity; a transcendental spirit Both: long-term i