1. Lao Tzu (Laozi) is credited as being the founder of Daoism (Taoism).
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Lao Tzu (Laozi) is credited as being
the founder of Daoism (Taoism).

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There is no historical evidence to support this fact. Yet it is believed that Laozi worked as a government official but left to live as a hermit in the mountains.

3. Daoists believe that before Laozi became
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Daoists believe that before Laozi became
a hermit, a gatekeeper asked him to
write his philosophy for future seekers.

4. Laozi was a contemporary of Confucius. However, he believed that the
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Laozi was
a contemporary
of Confucius.
However, he
believed that the
best way to achieve
peace and harmony
was to live naturally.

5. Laozi believed that people had lost their
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Laozi believed that people had lost their
way. They needed to look to nature and
learn from nature.
The fish is a fish.
It does not try
to live as a bird.

6. The Dao is the way or the path. It is the
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The Dao is the way or the path. It is the
way of nature. By acting naturally,
peace and harmony arise.
A crooked tree
is not good
for lumber but
it provides
shade on a hot
day.

7. Like Confucius, Laozi wanted to restore
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Like Confucius, Laozi wanted to restore
peace and harmony to China but he
believed that society’s rules were
unnatural. When man lived simply in
nature, according to his true nature,
man achieved peace and harmony.

8. The Yin-Yang is an important symbol in
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In the darkness, is
light. In the light,
is darkness.
The Yin-Yang is an important symbol in
Daoism. It represents nonduality or the
concept that within every concept is its
opposite.

9. Water is another important symbol in
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Water is another important symbol in
Daoism. Water flows. It is soft but it
can wear away the hardness of a rock.

10. The Tao Te Ching is an important book
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The Tao Te Ching is an important book
in Daoism. It explains the wisdom of
the Dao.

11. Although Confucianism became the
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Although Confucianism became the
official philosophy of dynastic China,
Daoism influenced the arts.
Do you see the Daoist influence?