Lao Tzu
Ancient Chinese philosopher
Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher, traditionally seen as the author of the Tao Te Ching and a founder of Taoism.
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Born in Zhoukou, People's Republic of China
About Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu, also written Laozi, is the traditional name of a philosopher from ancient China. In Chinese the name means "old master" or "old one", and it is generally taken as an honorific. Tradition places him in the 6th century BCE, describes him as a keeper of records at the Zhou court, and remembers him as an older contemporary of Confucius. Scholars disagree about his life: some see him as a legendary figure or a blend of several people, while others think a historical person is plausible. He is regarded as a founder of Taoism, and the Tao Te Ching is one of that tradition's foundational texts. In Taoist religion he came to be honored as a deity.