Under what circumstances did Lao Tzu write the Tao Te Ching?

More than 2,500 years ago, Lao Tzu left Luoyang and headed west out of Hangu Pass. After that, no one knew his whereabouts. "Historical Records" generally states that he left Hangu Pass in the west and ended up unknown; "Book of the Later Han Dynasty" puts forward the "Laozi turned nonsense theory" and believed that he went to the West to educate the barbarians and later became a Buddha. This is all for future generations. A mystery remains. \x0d\Where did I go? It is still a mystery to this day, and future generations are both concerned and ignorant about it, and can only continue to speculate. On the contrary, the people of Luoyang found some clues about Lao Tzu's whereabouts: there was one in Luanchuan and one in Luoning? But are these all true? \x0d\\x0d\More than 2,500 years ago, when I was about to leave Luoyang, I was faced with a choice of direction. \x0d\\x0d\ To the east is his hometown and to the south is the Kingdom of Chu, but he did not go east or south, nor did he consider going north. He set his sights on the West. \x0d\\x0d\The West is the most attractive. From the literature, I learned that there are Hangu Pass and Dashan Pass in the west, as well as the highest mountains in the world, and that further away, two mysterious rivers flow. Where the rivers flow, is there a religion calling people? \x0d\\x0d\This is undoubtedly calling me. He mounted the green ox and headed west. \x0d\\x0d\一\x0d\\x0d\I am really old at this time. Walking west along the southern foot of Mang Mountain, the sunset smeared directly on his face. This face is already very old: the two long white eyebrows are like two white waterfalls, falling exaggeratedly along the steep cheeks; and the long white beard is blown forward by the wind, like a path explorer. The tentacles pointed to the west. \x0d\\x0d\The "Image of Laozi Leaving Seclusion" drawn by the past dynasties basically all have this image. But in the Xiaqing Palace in Luoyang, the "Picture of Laozi Riding a Bull" I saw was far less exaggerated. The Taoist priest here said: The Lower Qing Palace was originally called Qingniu Temple, and it was the place where Laozi tied his cattle when he was refining elixirs and practicing Taoism. There is a valley nearby called Qingniu Valley, where green cattle graze. \x0d\\x0d\But here is a question: in the "Image of Laozi's Leaving the Border" of the past dynasties, I rode a buffalo. Why not ride an "honest and willing to work" old scalper? \x0d\\x0d\A middle school in our city once discussed this question, and the answers were all strange. Some students said: I rode a buffalo specifically because he had to cross the quicksands of the West. In the vast Gobi Desert, he had to rely on the buffalo to find water sources; some said: I rode the buffalo so that he could sit comfortably. The buffalo's back is broad, like a sleeper, and you can lie down and rest. , you can also cross your legs and play the flute; some said: I am here to drink milk! This cow is like a car-mounted milk company. He can supplement calcium at any time to prevent osteoporosis in the elderly. \x0d\\x0d\But: I am riding a bull! There is also a wine gourd hanging on the horns of the cow. \x0d\\x0d\This is a joke. In fact, let’s listen to the experts’ opinions - it’s very simple. More than 2,500 years ago, the climate in Luoyang was completely different from now. There were dense forests and lakes, many places were water towns, and there were a lot of buffaloes. From this point of view, they were still expert cattle. Grabbed the cow's nose! \x0d\\x0d\It is said that I have been heading west, and I feel uncomfortable. One: He committed dereliction of duty, failed to take good care of the books and materials, and had them transported to Chu State! For this reason, the imperial court dismissed him from office. Secondly, the vassal states were becoming more and more powerful, and the Zhou royal family was constantly in internal strife. These overt and covert fights made him tired, and he wanted to leave! \x0d\\x0d\Let's go, let's go - Luoyang can no longer be missed. I closed my eyes slightly, Lao Qingniu opened his eyes wide, and the court closed one eye and allowed me to escape Luoyang. But I left in a hurry, and I didn’t bring the ultimatum with me! \x0d\\x0d\How can I cross Hangu Pass without bringing a pass? A real problem lies before me. \x0d\\x0d\二\x0d\\x0d\Hangu Pass, in today's Lingbao territory: "It borders the plateau to the west, Juejian to the east, the Qinling Mountains to the south, and the Yellow River to the north." Nowadays, a gate tower-style gate has been built here. and tourist areas. But the real Hangu Ancient Road is located 15 kilometers north of Lingbao City, close to the bank of the Yellow River. \x0d\\x0d\It is said that in the early morning of this morning, the flags of the gate were fluttering, and the people who passed the gate were coming and going. Guan Ling Yinxi came to guard the pass early in the morning. He stood on the tower, built a pergola with his hands and looked to the east - the ancients learned about qi, if they saw purple qi, a noble person must come.

\x0d\\x0d\After a while, there was indeed purple air drifting from the east, gradually getting closer and bigger. He hurriedly ordered his subordinates to prepare wine and food, then hurriedly walked down the tower and greeted him reverently. \x0d\\x0d\The person who came was an old man with a bright head and white beard, riding a green bull. This is Lao Tzu. \x0d\\x0d\I left seclusion in 485 BC, which makes me 86 years old. Yin was delighted to see that although my beard and hair were all white, my face was rosy, my spirit was strong, my head was purple, and the morning glow was shining behind me. In this background, I was as calm as water, with fresh air on my face, like a god. \x0d\\x0d\Yin Xi is very happy! He knows that the wise men in the world today are here! He wanted to keep Lao Tzu and let him teach him knowledge. But when he came to me, he was speechless for a moment. The old man looked at him with a smile, as natural as the wind and as calm as water. He suddenly felt that there was a huge gap between his own irritable spirit and my fresh air, and he felt ashamed. \x0d\\x0d\Both I and Qing Niu glanced at him. Seeing that he didn't speak, they continued on their way to the outside of the pass. Yin Xi is so anxious! Yes, it is early in the morning, and it is not the time to check in at dusk and ask for advice. What reason is there to stop people from asking for advice? \x0d\\x0d\While I was feeling annoyed, something embarrassing happened: I wanted to pass the test, but I didn’t bring the ultimatum - OK! Yin Xi had an idea and found a way! \x0d\\x0d\三 \x0d\\x0d\ When I left Luoyang in a hurry, I forgot to bring the customs certificate, or because I had committed a crime of dereliction of duty, I did not dare to pick up the customs certificate at all. Without an ultimatum, you are not allowed to pass the test. This is the rule. This just gave Guan Ling Yinxi an opportunity. "Historical Records" records that "Guan Ling Yinxi said: 'The master is about to hide, so he forced me to write a book.' So I wrote the first and second chapters of the book, saying more than 5,000 words about morality, and left without knowing where it ended." \x0d\\x0d\This seems to be forcing me to write a book. I'm not very willing, but if I don't agree, they won't let me pass. \x0d\\x0d\So some people say: I was forced by a "gun" to write five thousand words! In fact, if you think about it carefully, this is not consistent with the identities of the two parties involved. Think about it: those five thousand words, each word has its own meaning, how precious it is! The first part and the second part are coherent and can be described as the most beautiful and profound miscellaneous philosophical poem. This kind of good thing must be made in one go in the most pleasant state of mind. How can it be forced out? \x0d\\x0d\So, some scholars have long described the scene for us: Yin Xi met Lao Tzu and said: "I am Yin Xi, the magistrate of Hangu Pass. I was observing the sky a few days ago and saw purple gas gathering in the east. A sage has arrived, and I have been waiting for him for a long time. I would like to have a talk with him in the cold room. The students want to listen to his teachings. "\x0d\\x0d\ I let nature take its course, and it was like meeting a close friend. Unaware that dusk is coming, I hold the candle and talk at night. Yin Xi asked: "Everyone in the world knows that you are a saint who has attained the great truth, but it is difficult to understand your thoughts. Can you give me some advice?" Laozi said: "My words are easy to understand, but some people think that they are too broad and not specific. , so there are no key points. In fact, there are only three principles: one is to be gentle and kind, act according to one's ability; the other is to be thrifty, to eliminate greed and desire; the third is to not fight and govern by doing nothing. "\x0d\\x0d\ He also asked: "What is it. To get rid of desires? "\x0d\\x0d\Another answer: "The five colors and five sounds make people deaf and blind; the five tastes and hunting make people indulge in pleasure; the search for strange things and treasures make people behave in an unfrugal way. Therefore, the sage only wants to maintain his basic livelihood and make choices in everything. "Sir, your thoughts are really profound! I would like to ask if you want to travel to the west."\x0d\\x0d\ I replied: "I I want to go to that small country with few people! I want people to abandon all kinds of utensils, cherish life and not leave their homes; abandon cars and boats, stop fighting, and return to nature and simplicity; live in peace and enjoy folk customs, and have neighbors looking at each other. Dogs hear each other's voices, but they never interact with each other until old age and death?"\x0d\\x0d\Yin Xi was full of yearning: "May I ask, sir, where is the small country with few people you mentioned?" There was no answer for a long time. When looking at it: I am sitting cross-legged with my legs closed, my eyes are closed, my breathing is even, and I have fallen asleep. Yin Xi said: "He is really the most powerful person in the world!"\x0d\\x0d\The next day the east turned white, Yin Xi opened the door and saw that I had left. There were bamboo slips with wet ink on the tables. ***Five thousand words.

Yin Xi knew that it was written by Laozi, so the book was named "Laozi". In the Tang Dynasty, it was renamed "Tao Te Ching". \x0d\\x0d\It is said that after Yin Xi read it, he seemed to hear the sounds of nature and stopped working as an official, so he hurriedly followed me. He said to me: "I want to run away with you!" I smiled, let nature take its course, and took him away. As for whether this is true? No one can figure it out. \x0d\\x0d\Is this not the only thing that is unclear? Even my fate is a mystery. \x0d\\x0d\IV\x0d\\x0d\ Regarding Lao Tzu's destiny, there are several theories as follows. \x0d\\x0d\The first is "Laozi's nonsense", which was first seen in "Book of the Later Han·Xiangkai Biography". It is said: "It may be said that Laozi entered the barbarians and became a pagoda." This means that Laozi shouldered a great mission and went to the west to teach the foreigners and later became a Buddha. However, since ancient times, no traces or relics of Lao Tzu have been found in the West, so this theory is doubtful. \x0d\\x0d\Second, Ban Gu pointed out in his "Book of Han·Yiwenzhi": When Laozi entered Guanxi, Yin Xi "removed the officials and followed him" and "all traveled to the west of the quicksand." This shows that Laozi was in Guanxi. Accompanied by Yin Xi, they arrived in the Juyan area of ????Hexi, Gansu. \x0d\\x0d\The third theory: After I left the customs, I did not continue walking west at all, but adjusted my direction, passing through Lushi, to Luanchuan, and finally died in Luoning and was buried in Shou'an Mountain, Luoning . \x0d\\x0d\Those who hold the second view listed the general route of Laozi in Gansu: leaving Hangu Pass, passing Dashan Pass, entering Gansu from the southwest of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, and traveling through Tianshui, Longxi, and Lintao , Lanzhou, Jiuquan and other places, returned to Longxi, settled in Lintao, and finally died in Lintao Dongshan. \x0d\\x0d\After Laozi died in Lintao, his descendants multiplied here. The "Chronicles of the Clan" compiled by Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, said: "Of the thirteen wishes of the Li family, Longxi is the first." Therefore, there is a saying that "the Li family in the world comes from Longxi". \x0d\\x0d\People who hold the third view are generally from Luoyang. Media worker Li Taixuan believes that I have never been far away from the Heluo area throughout my life, so there are many traces of me in the suburbs of Luoyang. He concluded that Laozi went west to Hangu just to show that he would not surrender to Chu, so Laozi went west with the intention of entering Qin but not Chu. However, as he was walking, he suddenly remembered that the west was the base area of ??"Zhou", so he turned back halfway. Returning to Luanchuan, there are green mountains and green waters, which is perfect for seclusion. \x0d\\x0d\The people of Luanchuan also believed that Lao Tzu's departure from seclusion was a false shot. After leaving seclusion, he immediately turned around and followed the ancient road of Guo State, from Lingbao and Lu's to Luanchuan to live in seclusion, so there is Laojun Mountain. Today's Laojun Mountain does have remnant monuments and cultural relics as evidence, as well as Laojun River, Laojun Temple and the temple fair on the eighth day of April, all commemorating Laozi. \x0d\\x0d\Li Delong, a Luoning native, believes that I finally settled in Luoning, died of illness here, and was buried here. The reason is that there is the tomb of the ancestor at the southern foot of Shouan Mountain, 5 kilometers east of Luoning County, which is actually the tomb of Laozi. One of the basis is that the ancient bamboo book "Laozi Buried His Construction" contains "Laozi was buried in Shouan (the same as "An") Mountain, surrounded by four dragons." Today, there are indeed four deep valleys surrounding the ancestor's tomb, like four wandering dragons. The second is that the preface of Lin Lingsu's "Theory of Water Mirror Physiology" in the Northern Song Dynasty states that "the old king, Li Er, died and was buried in Shouan Mountain in Yongning (Luoning)". \x0d\\x0d\He still has a lot of basis. Of course, no matter how much evidence he has, others will doubt him. Anyway, no matter what kind of statement, it seems that it can't convince people. This was all deceived by Sima Qian's phrase "You don't know where it will end"! \x0d\\x0d\However, "Going out of Hanguan from the west", "Purple air coming from the east", "Crossing the quicksand from the west", and "I don't know where I ended up" later became allusions, which are quite good. Their cultural significance has exceeded the textual research significance. , its aesthetic value also exceeds the textual research value. Moreover, when the two masters Laozi and Yin Xi met at Hangu Pass, they tied a pass with only military significance into a historical node and gave it cultural connotation. Taoist culture has a mysterious trend and is filled with cyan?