Classic of the Way and its Power

Daode Jing (Classic of the Way and its Power) is also called as Laozi and Laozi Wuqianwen (five thousand articles). Tradition has it that Laozi, the founder of the Taoism, wrote this book, so Daode Jing is regarded as the greatest classic of Taoism. In fact, since it all-roundly embodies the worldview and philosophy of ancient Chinese people, it is also one of the most important philosophic books of ancient China, and has exerted great influence on the lives of Chinese people.

Daode Jing consists of two sections: the first section Dao Jing is from Chapter 1 to Chapter 37, and the second section De Jing is from Chapter 38 to Chapter 81. All the contents of Daode Jing mainly elaborate the profound meanings of Dao (Tao) and De (Virtue), representing the philosophic thoughts of Laozi.

As described by Laozi, Dao explains his cosmic view from the ontological point, including the life philosophy and the principles of cultivation methods. He thought that the Tao has no shape and cannot be seen, but it is the fountainhead of the universe. Everything comes from its movements and changes. The basic connotation of De is one feature represented by the universe of noumenal Tao; i.e. De is the concrete embodiment of Dao.

Laozi's description of Dao and De analyzes the various connotations of the universe, the world and human beings from different perspectives.