Daode Tianzun
Daode Tianzun (Chinese:
Laozi is regarded to be a manifestation of Daode Tianzun who authored the classic Tao Te Ching. He is traditionally regarded as the founder of Taoism, intimately connected with "primordial" (or "original") Taoism. Popular ("religious") Taoism typically presents the Jade Emperor as the official head deity. Intellectual ("orthodox") Taoists, such as the Celestial Masters sect, usually present Laozi (Laojun, "Lord Lao") and the Three Pure Ones at the top of the pantheon of gods.[1][2]
Name[edit]
His other names include Daode Zhizun (
Legends[edit]
Taishang Laojun believed to be the true incarnation of the spiritual philosopher Laozi, he was already identified as a personification of the Tao as early as the beginning of the Later Han dynasty. According to Daozang, Taishang Laojun had manifested many various incarnations to teach living beings, and Laozi is one of his incarnations.
According to the biographies of Laozi collected by Ge Hong in the Biographies of the Immortals (
Although he is ranked below the other two pure ones, he is mentioned in Taoist religious texts more often than the other two. Before he served as an advisor to the Jade Emperor or attending Peach Banquets, he lives in the Great Pure Heaven (Taiqing).
His manifestation anniversary falls on the 15th day of 2nd month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
Daode Tianzun was thought to be able to control what happens in the future.[3]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Maspero (1981, p. 41)
- ^ Robinet (1997, p. 63)
- ^ World Religions: Eastern Traditions. Edited by Willard Gurdon Oxtoby (2nd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press. 2002. p. 393. ISBN 0-19-541521-3. OCLC 46661540.
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Works cited[edit]
- Maspero, Henri (1981). Taoism and Chinese Religion. Translated by Kierman, Frank A. Jr. University of Massachusetts Press. ISBN 0-87023-308-4.
- Robinet, Isabelle (1997) [1992]. Taoism: Growth of a Religion. Stanford: Stanford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-2839-9.