Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya revolusi industri 1.0 Universit
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
Ancient Western Philosophy
Lectured by:
Mis. Raminda
Lao Tzu
Reported by:
Ven. Sandasara
ID: 5401201087
First Semester of 3rd Year
Faculty of Buddhism
Major in Philosophy
17. September. 2013
Contents
Preface
Introduction
Background of Lao Tzu’s life
Religious Views
Virtues and Ethics
Politics
Leadership Principles
Conclusion
Pages
1
1
2
2
3
4
4
Introduction
Lao Tzu is a Chinese philosopher, the founder of Taoism and the spiritual
leader of Chinese people in the history. He laid down many doctrines and
philosophical concepts such as leadership principles and ethics in political
process, etc. Little is known about his background because there are very
few resources available found by later scholars. In my papers, I will focus in
fives fields of his teachings such as background history, leadership and
ethics and so on. In the next following sections, such topics as described
above will be written in details as much as possible.
Background of Lao Tzu’s life
Lao Tzu was born in 6th century BC. He is also believed to be contemporary
with Confucius by Chinese historian Sima Qian due to the Record of Grand
Historian. He is also the author of The Tao Te Ching in which the most
important Taoist Thoughts are found. Lao Tzu was born in the village of Chu
Jen in the Kingdom of Ch'u. Lao Tzu spent most of his life as an archivist in
the library of the Zhou Dynasty court, but he did not like that job because he
only had to spent his time for thinking, so he quit when he saw things were
getting corrupt, and then went into exile. Lao Tzu became disturbed by the
corruption he saw everywhere around him and decided to take the easy way
out- literally, and leave the country. He traveled west on a water buffalo to
reach the great desert.
Religious Views
Lao Tzu’s religious philosophy appears in his legendary book, “Tao Te
Ching” in which almost all of his teachings can be found. Taoist teachings
are based in Tao Te Ching which is laid down by Lao Tzu.
Tao (pronounced 'Dao') can be defined as 'path', or 'road'. The
way of the Tao is the way of Nature and of ultimate reality. Tao
is often described as a force that flows through all life. A happy
and virtuous life is one that is in harmony with the Tao, with
Nature.
1
1
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Taoism-Tao.htm
The term “Taoism” comes from Tao which means living in harmony with
nature. Nowadays Taoist teachings are becoming very popular in western
country as environmental crises are global threat which is needed to solve by
all countries around the world. As awareness of environment is growing
rapidly among western society as if it is human responsibility to save nature
because all beings live interdependently in nature, Taoism are also capturing
people attention as it is one particular religion which mainly focuses on
preservation of nature.
Living in harmony with nature is also the metaphysical points of view in
Taoism.
Virtues and Ethics
Virtues and ethics are integrated. One who follows ethical rules means he or
she is virtuous, so both of them will be discussed altogether.
Virtues and ethics by Lao Tzu also appear vastly in Tao Te Ching which is
believed that Lao Tzu wrote. Concerning with virtues, it say in Tao Te
Ching:
A person of great virtue is like the flowing water. Water
benefits all things and contends not with them. It puts itself in a
place that no one wishes to be and thus is closest to Tao. A
virtuous person is like water which adapts itself to the perfect
place.
2
It is clear to understand that one’s purified mind is like water which brings
benefits to all living beings and trees, etc. To achieve purified mind, we all
have to live in the way we don’t spoils our own abode. Nowadays some
people are becoming very worried about maintaining nature where all beings
live dependently on each other.
To understand ethical rules laid down by Lao Tzu, we also have to have a
close look at Tao Te Ching because it is only one source in which all of his
teachings could be found. However, the Taoist ethics in the present day will
2 Tao Te
Ching Chapter Eight
be excluded because that is considered to be extradition by later Taoist
scholars; not purely by Lao Tzu. In Tao Te Ching chapter thirty one:
Weapons of war are instruments of disaster. They are rejected
by all beings. Thus a person of Tao will not dwell upon them.
According to the ancient custom of Ying and Yang, a man of
virtue values the left which is represented by Yang.
3
These ethical views are strongly against war. Even today war can be seen
around the globe. Very destructive such as chemical weapons are still using
against innocent human beings like children and women. The world is still
in difficult situation to avoid war in which killing is unavoidable. Lao Tzu
is the one who strongly condemns using weapons against humanity. It is
one the reason that Taoism is gaining momentum of people’s embracement.
Although Lao Tzu’s ethics is against war and weapons, it is also found that
there are others ideas or concepts concerning with war and weapons. It can
be seen in the following quote:
And a man of war values the right which is represented by
Ying. Weapons are instruments of evil, and are not valued by a
man of virtue. They are only used as the last resort to attain
peace when all else have failed. If their use is necessary, it is
best to employ with calmness and tranquility. Even it if means
victory, it is not something pleasant. Those who rejoice over the
victory, enjoy killing. He who delights in killing will not be
favored by the people and shall not bring harmony to the world.
4
The statement shown above seems to be political means rather than ethical
concern. However, it is also closely connected to ethics because ethics and
politics are like the wheel and its track. In that statement, it can be
understood that there might be a situation where wars and weapons are
allowable to use. For instance, if a group of robbers who are threatening the
peaceful society, the government should use weapons because to punish
3 Tao Te
Ching, Chapter Thirty One
4 Tao Te
Ching, Chapter Thirty one
such violent people for the good of people. Nevertheless, using weapons are
neither to be proud nor honorable. If there are any other means to solve
such problem are applicable, it is to be favorable.
Politics
Political philosophy of Lao Tzu is quite interesting because he emphasizes
governing people on compassion, freedom and naturally ruling people
without very strict rules. He said in Tao Te Ching as below:
Govern a nation with the right principles. Fight a battle with
the tactics of surprise, rule over the world with peace and
natural effort. How do I know that this so? By the following:
The more prohibitions that are imposed on people. The poorer
the people become. The more sharp weapons the people
possess, the greater is the chaos in the country.
5
It is true that the more people feel that they are controlled, the more they will
try to escape, for human free will is against restriction. It is why the freedom
of thoughts and speech are becoming very popular nowadays. Furthermore,
if government uses a lot of money for weapons, its people become rebellious
against them because the country becomes poorer. It is eye-witnessed
somewhere like in the middle-east that people becomes so rebellious
because their government restricts too much the people. Many governments
have been overthrown by protestors. It is just the result of the government’s
ignorance about people’s freedom and equality.
Leadership Principles
There are five bases principles of leadership by Lao Tzu. There may be
other ideas of him, which is applicable in leadership. However, the five
principles below are the core ideas of him for leading people spiritually.
They are:
1: clear mind
2: simplicity
5
Tao Te Ching, Chapter Thirty one
3: balance
4: Stoop low
5: Letting go
Clear mind—which means a leader must have a clear direction to go.
Otherwise, he might lose the way. Yes, it is true if the leader doesn’t have
certain destination and future, how can his followers believe and rely on
him. If leader can’t lead, so we’d rather not have him.
Simplicity—it means a leader should be simple to gain respect from people.
This idea seems to come from his spiritual thinking and practice. As he is a
spiritual leader, simplicity becomes his leadership principles. If spiritual
leaders such as monk don’t stay simply, they will suffer criticism from
people.
Balance—which means a leader must consider both good and bad effects
when he makes decision. If he decides only by looking at the benefits with
ignorance about bad effects, there would be problem. Everything has two
sides. So a leader must properly weigh both good and bad to avoid huge bad
consequences rather than good result.
Stoop low—which means a leader should be humble to receive power from
people. For example, rivers and oceans stoop low to receive water from
stream, thus rivers and oceans become very powerful, but the power comes
from the stream. A leader should follow this principle because the power of
the leader comes from his followers although they are lower than the leader.
If a leader is very arrogant, so people will not support him.
Letting go—it means effortless leadership styles. But it is quite influential
when because it is technique of influencing people without letting them
know that a leader is trying to control them; leading as if not leading. It is
true that sometimes a leader should let a person go rather than trying to
control him because it is impossible to gain 100% success when we do
something. Buddha also used that leadership mean when he is engaged in
Devadhattha who never follows what Buddha teaches. Showing the way is
better than asserting authority sometimes.
Conclusion
Lao Tzu is a Chinese Philosopher, the father of Taoist teaching
and spiritual teacher for Chinese people. He laid down many
doctrines and philosophical views on leadership, religion, virtues,
ethics and politics. His teaching is now very embracing people’s
attention around the globe. It is worth to study what his ideas are
about nature, politics and virtues, etc.
Ven. Sandasara
ID: 5401201087
Ancient Western Philosophy
Lectured by:
Mis. Raminda
Lao Tzu
Reported by:
Ven. Sandasara
ID: 5401201087
First Semester of 3rd Year
Faculty of Buddhism
Major in Philosophy
17. September. 2013
Contents
Preface
Introduction
Background of Lao Tzu’s life
Religious Views
Virtues and Ethics
Politics
Leadership Principles
Conclusion
Pages
1
1
2
2
3
4
4
Introduction
Lao Tzu is a Chinese philosopher, the founder of Taoism and the spiritual
leader of Chinese people in the history. He laid down many doctrines and
philosophical concepts such as leadership principles and ethics in political
process, etc. Little is known about his background because there are very
few resources available found by later scholars. In my papers, I will focus in
fives fields of his teachings such as background history, leadership and
ethics and so on. In the next following sections, such topics as described
above will be written in details as much as possible.
Background of Lao Tzu’s life
Lao Tzu was born in 6th century BC. He is also believed to be contemporary
with Confucius by Chinese historian Sima Qian due to the Record of Grand
Historian. He is also the author of The Tao Te Ching in which the most
important Taoist Thoughts are found. Lao Tzu was born in the village of Chu
Jen in the Kingdom of Ch'u. Lao Tzu spent most of his life as an archivist in
the library of the Zhou Dynasty court, but he did not like that job because he
only had to spent his time for thinking, so he quit when he saw things were
getting corrupt, and then went into exile. Lao Tzu became disturbed by the
corruption he saw everywhere around him and decided to take the easy way
out- literally, and leave the country. He traveled west on a water buffalo to
reach the great desert.
Religious Views
Lao Tzu’s religious philosophy appears in his legendary book, “Tao Te
Ching” in which almost all of his teachings can be found. Taoist teachings
are based in Tao Te Ching which is laid down by Lao Tzu.
Tao (pronounced 'Dao') can be defined as 'path', or 'road'. The
way of the Tao is the way of Nature and of ultimate reality. Tao
is often described as a force that flows through all life. A happy
and virtuous life is one that is in harmony with the Tao, with
Nature.
1
1
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Philosophy-Taoism-Tao.htm
The term “Taoism” comes from Tao which means living in harmony with
nature. Nowadays Taoist teachings are becoming very popular in western
country as environmental crises are global threat which is needed to solve by
all countries around the world. As awareness of environment is growing
rapidly among western society as if it is human responsibility to save nature
because all beings live interdependently in nature, Taoism are also capturing
people attention as it is one particular religion which mainly focuses on
preservation of nature.
Living in harmony with nature is also the metaphysical points of view in
Taoism.
Virtues and Ethics
Virtues and ethics are integrated. One who follows ethical rules means he or
she is virtuous, so both of them will be discussed altogether.
Virtues and ethics by Lao Tzu also appear vastly in Tao Te Ching which is
believed that Lao Tzu wrote. Concerning with virtues, it say in Tao Te
Ching:
A person of great virtue is like the flowing water. Water
benefits all things and contends not with them. It puts itself in a
place that no one wishes to be and thus is closest to Tao. A
virtuous person is like water which adapts itself to the perfect
place.
2
It is clear to understand that one’s purified mind is like water which brings
benefits to all living beings and trees, etc. To achieve purified mind, we all
have to live in the way we don’t spoils our own abode. Nowadays some
people are becoming very worried about maintaining nature where all beings
live dependently on each other.
To understand ethical rules laid down by Lao Tzu, we also have to have a
close look at Tao Te Ching because it is only one source in which all of his
teachings could be found. However, the Taoist ethics in the present day will
2 Tao Te
Ching Chapter Eight
be excluded because that is considered to be extradition by later Taoist
scholars; not purely by Lao Tzu. In Tao Te Ching chapter thirty one:
Weapons of war are instruments of disaster. They are rejected
by all beings. Thus a person of Tao will not dwell upon them.
According to the ancient custom of Ying and Yang, a man of
virtue values the left which is represented by Yang.
3
These ethical views are strongly against war. Even today war can be seen
around the globe. Very destructive such as chemical weapons are still using
against innocent human beings like children and women. The world is still
in difficult situation to avoid war in which killing is unavoidable. Lao Tzu
is the one who strongly condemns using weapons against humanity. It is
one the reason that Taoism is gaining momentum of people’s embracement.
Although Lao Tzu’s ethics is against war and weapons, it is also found that
there are others ideas or concepts concerning with war and weapons. It can
be seen in the following quote:
And a man of war values the right which is represented by
Ying. Weapons are instruments of evil, and are not valued by a
man of virtue. They are only used as the last resort to attain
peace when all else have failed. If their use is necessary, it is
best to employ with calmness and tranquility. Even it if means
victory, it is not something pleasant. Those who rejoice over the
victory, enjoy killing. He who delights in killing will not be
favored by the people and shall not bring harmony to the world.
4
The statement shown above seems to be political means rather than ethical
concern. However, it is also closely connected to ethics because ethics and
politics are like the wheel and its track. In that statement, it can be
understood that there might be a situation where wars and weapons are
allowable to use. For instance, if a group of robbers who are threatening the
peaceful society, the government should use weapons because to punish
3 Tao Te
Ching, Chapter Thirty One
4 Tao Te
Ching, Chapter Thirty one
such violent people for the good of people. Nevertheless, using weapons are
neither to be proud nor honorable. If there are any other means to solve
such problem are applicable, it is to be favorable.
Politics
Political philosophy of Lao Tzu is quite interesting because he emphasizes
governing people on compassion, freedom and naturally ruling people
without very strict rules. He said in Tao Te Ching as below:
Govern a nation with the right principles. Fight a battle with
the tactics of surprise, rule over the world with peace and
natural effort. How do I know that this so? By the following:
The more prohibitions that are imposed on people. The poorer
the people become. The more sharp weapons the people
possess, the greater is the chaos in the country.
5
It is true that the more people feel that they are controlled, the more they will
try to escape, for human free will is against restriction. It is why the freedom
of thoughts and speech are becoming very popular nowadays. Furthermore,
if government uses a lot of money for weapons, its people become rebellious
against them because the country becomes poorer. It is eye-witnessed
somewhere like in the middle-east that people becomes so rebellious
because their government restricts too much the people. Many governments
have been overthrown by protestors. It is just the result of the government’s
ignorance about people’s freedom and equality.
Leadership Principles
There are five bases principles of leadership by Lao Tzu. There may be
other ideas of him, which is applicable in leadership. However, the five
principles below are the core ideas of him for leading people spiritually.
They are:
1: clear mind
2: simplicity
5
Tao Te Ching, Chapter Thirty one
3: balance
4: Stoop low
5: Letting go
Clear mind—which means a leader must have a clear direction to go.
Otherwise, he might lose the way. Yes, it is true if the leader doesn’t have
certain destination and future, how can his followers believe and rely on
him. If leader can’t lead, so we’d rather not have him.
Simplicity—it means a leader should be simple to gain respect from people.
This idea seems to come from his spiritual thinking and practice. As he is a
spiritual leader, simplicity becomes his leadership principles. If spiritual
leaders such as monk don’t stay simply, they will suffer criticism from
people.
Balance—which means a leader must consider both good and bad effects
when he makes decision. If he decides only by looking at the benefits with
ignorance about bad effects, there would be problem. Everything has two
sides. So a leader must properly weigh both good and bad to avoid huge bad
consequences rather than good result.
Stoop low—which means a leader should be humble to receive power from
people. For example, rivers and oceans stoop low to receive water from
stream, thus rivers and oceans become very powerful, but the power comes
from the stream. A leader should follow this principle because the power of
the leader comes from his followers although they are lower than the leader.
If a leader is very arrogant, so people will not support him.
Letting go—it means effortless leadership styles. But it is quite influential
when because it is technique of influencing people without letting them
know that a leader is trying to control them; leading as if not leading. It is
true that sometimes a leader should let a person go rather than trying to
control him because it is impossible to gain 100% success when we do
something. Buddha also used that leadership mean when he is engaged in
Devadhattha who never follows what Buddha teaches. Showing the way is
better than asserting authority sometimes.
Conclusion
Lao Tzu is a Chinese Philosopher, the father of Taoist teaching
and spiritual teacher for Chinese people. He laid down many
doctrines and philosophical views on leadership, religion, virtues,
ethics and politics. His teaching is now very embracing people’s
attention around the globe. It is worth to study what his ideas are
about nature, politics and virtues, etc.
Ven. Sandasara
ID: 5401201087