LAO TSE CENTURY BC-4

LAO TSE CENTURY BC-4

Of the thousands and thousands of titles of books ever written in China, perhaps the most widely translated and read abroad it is a book written over 2000 years ago, known by the name of Lao Tse or the Tao Te Ching. The book Tao Te Ching or the "old way and strength" is the main script where the philosophy of Taoism specified.
This book is complicated book, written in a style typical of the exceptional and capable of presenting various visual interpretations. Central idea is related to a common problem Tao is translated as "Way" or "Path." However, the concept is somewhat vague, because the book Tao Te Ching itself begins with the sentence: "Tao that is described is not the eternal Tao; names mentioned here is not the eternal name." However, it is possible we say that Tao means roughly "Natural" or "Natural Law."
Taoists believe that individuals do not wrestle against Tao but must be subject to devote themselves and work with him. (A Taoist may appoint an example unlimited soft water, which flows without protest to the lower mainland and are not as weak against the power of anything, not destroyed, but the reefs are as solid as anything can yield in the end).
To a person, simplicity and fairness are to be recommended. Violence should be shunned, as are struggling for money and prestige. People should not be eager to change the world, but must respect it. For government, a step that is considered wise is do not so active, many of this set prohibit it. Moreover, the rules and restrictions are too much. Because it adds more laws, or amplify the provisions of the old existing ones, only cause the situation worse. High taxes, government plans are too ambitious, promote war, all of which are contrary to the philosophy of Taoism.
According to Chinese tradition, the author of Tao Te Ching is a man named Lao Tse that he said but the older contemporary of Confucius-Cu. However, Kong Hu Cu-life in the 6th century BC. And both of them - both from the point of writing style and content - just a few scientists today believe that the Tao Te Ching was written at the time was so early. There are different opinions about the time the actual preparation of the book. (Tao Te Ching itself never mentioned the name of a particular person, nor place, date, or historical events). However, the year 320 BC is a reasonable estimate of the time-actually eighty years of real time, and maybe even closer.
Family adherents of the schools of Taoism give offerings to the moon ahead of the autumn. This problem makes a sharp conflict of opinion regarding the time even concerning the existence of Lao Tse's own. While the authorities believe that Lao Tse's living tradition in the 6th century BC, hence the conclusion he is not writing the Tao Te Ching. Other scholars consider him nothing more than a mere fairy tale figures. My own opinion, that only a small portion agreed upon by scholars, are as follows: (1) Lao Tse was really no one and indeed the author of Tao Te Ching, (2) he lived in the 4th century BC, (3) The story that Lao Tse contemporaneous but older than Hu-Cu Kong is a far-fetched explanation, the fictional and written by Taoist philosophers who came later just for the purpose of adding prestige to the person and his book.
Both noted, from the previous Chinese writers both Kong Hu-Cu (551-479 BC), or Mo Ti (5th century BC), or Meng-tse (371-289 BC) mention either none or Lao Tse Tao Te Ching. However, Chuang Tse, a famous Taoist philosopher - who appeared about the year 300 BC Lao Tse's name repeatedly.
Because the question whether or not in this world man whose name is Lao Tse's still a question, should we even doubt the details of his biography. However, there are sources that should be appreciated in the form of a statement as follows: Lao Tse was born and lived in northern China. Most of his life he became a historian or a mentor part of government archives, most likely in the city of brass, the capital of the kingdom of Chou dynasty. Lao Tse is not a real name, but simply call the honor which roughly means "elder." He married and had a son named Tsung. Si Tsung This then became generals in the land of Wei.
While Taoism originated from secular philosophy, but a kind of religious movements evolved from there. However, because of Taoism as a philosophy continue on the basis of particular ideas contained in the book Tao Te Ching, "Religion Taoist" was immediately overwhelmed with confidence and full of superstitious observances which have very little to do with the teachings of Taoism.
Sticking to the allegations that Lao Tse was the real author of the book Tao Te Ching, the effect really wide. The book is very concise (its content is less than 6000 Chinese characters, because it is still not a lot to be loaded in a sheet of newspaper!), But he contains many deep thoughts. The entire line of Taoist philosophers hold on this book as the base of the decline of his own ideas.
In the West, the Tao Te Ching far more popular than the writings of Confucius-Cu or-Cu philosopher Confucius are everywhere. In fact, there are at least forty kinds of English translation of the book was published, more than any translation of any book except the Bible.
While in China, Confucius ideology-Cu is generally a belief that the dominant philosophy, and clearly there is a conflict between the mind Lao-Tse with Kong Hu Cu. Most Chinese people embrace the schools of the latter kind. But Lao Tse high across the board appreciated by the followers of Confucius-Cu. And more than that, in many ways, the ideas of Taoism dibaur away with the ideas of Confucius-Cu, because it affects millions of people while not calling themselves Taoist. Similarly, Taoism has a clear influence on the development of Buddhist philosophy in China, especially to Zen Buddhism. Although few people now call themselves Taoist teachings, no one except the Chinese philosopher Confucius-Cu which have influence is so vast and so steady the way the human mind as well as Lao Tse.

Sumber : http://luk.staff.ugm.ac.id/kmi/iptek/100/LaoTse.html