Lao-Ce

Chinese philosopher, founder of Daoism (probably 6th century BC). Information about him is provided by the work Historical Records (Shiji) from II–I. para. ex. Kr. He was attributed the authorship of the main Daoist work, The Book of the Way and its Virtues (Dao de jing), but today it is established that the work was not written before the IV century. or III. para. ex. Kr. It is assumed that Laozi is the originator of only the basic principles of Daoism (daojiao), which were later formulated in the book Dao de jing. This teaching is imbued with passive and meditative elements and could be labeled as mystical pantheism. Religious Daoism has gradually included Laozi in its pantheon and worships him as a supreme deity, he is the Lord Lao (Laojun) or Noble Heavenly Dao and Dea (Daode tian). Laozi is the subject of many Chinese lore.