Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Lao-Tzu : A Fountain of Wisdom


Lao-Tzu ; A Fountain of Wisdom
Lao Tzu was a philosopher of ancient China and is a central figure in Taoism.( a form or religion) Popular legends say that he was conceived when his mother gazed upon a falling star, stayed in the womb for sixty-two years, and was born when his mother leaned against a plum tree. He accordingly emerged a grown up man with a full grey beard and long earlobes, which are a symbol of wisdom and long life. Lao Tzu's magnum opus, the Daodejing, is one of the most significant treatises in Chinese cosmogony. As with most other ancient Chinese philosophers, Lao-tzu often explains his ideas by way of paradox, analogy, appropriation of ancient sayings, repetition, symmetry, rhyme, and rhythm. One of his memorable sayings is- "An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox". It teaches us to apply whatever we know in practical use. We may know a lot of things, but if we don't expose it none will be benefited. On the other hand if we know a little and expose it many can be benefited by it.