(1) Thinking about mother.
It is said that Lao Tzu kept a secret room for Zhou and went home to visit his mother many times, trying to persuade her to go with him to Zhou. His mother has lived in Chen Xiangyi for a long time, and she is familiar with the land and doesn't want to move too far. How time flies! More than 30 years have passed in a blink of an eye. On the day of the Taiqing Palace in the Qing Dynasty, I suddenly got news from my family that my mother was critically ill, so I reported to the Emperor and went home to see a doctor. When I got home, my mother had died. Facing a pile of loess on the vast land, I thought of the spirit under my mother's grave and recalled my mother's kind face and nurturing grace. I was heartbroken, forgot to eat and sleep, sat on the ground and meditated, and suddenly found myself stupid; Looking for the reason, I suddenly realized, relieved, relieved, and hungry and tired. So I ate a big meal and fell asleep.
The general and the maid were surprised. They woke up and asked why. Laozi replied: "People are born in the world, and they are affectionate and wise. Family, so the interpersonal relationship is harmonious and warm; If you are wise, you will understand and understand, but the directors will not be confused. Love and wisdom are incidental; A wise man is the master of love. With emotions, people are stupid and things are upside down; With intelligence, people are smart and harmonious. My mother's kindness is like a mountain. Today, my mother left, and my feelings are hard to break. Love is hard to break, and so is human nature. Without wisdom, it is difficult to decide, and it will be chaotic, so I am very sad and don't want to live. Today, I was sitting and meditating, and suddenly I had wisdom. I can control my feelings with wisdom, so my feelings can be controlled and things can be adjusted. Love can be controlled and things can be managed, so I have to eat when I am hungry and sleep when I am tired. "
The master will ask, "How does wisdom unify feelings?"
"People are out of thin air; From scratch, it must be from scratch. When there is no mother, there is no love between mother and child; There are mothers and mothers, and there is a mother-child relationship; Mother goes to stay, mother is ruthless, and son is unique; Without mother, there is no love. Isn't it the same without human feelings and without human feelings? Isn't it stupid to indulge in love and sadness? Therefore, the love of flesh and blood is hard to break, people are like this, and they are also suitable for love; If you don't make a decision, it's difficult to make a decision, which goes against the principle of nature. It is foolish to recite the laws of nature! After thinking about it, I have no appetite to sleep. " When everyone heard this, their hearts suddenly became clear.
(2) Discuss morality with Confucius.
I have lived on Sunday for a long time, and my knowledge and reputation are getting deeper and deeper. In the Spring and Autumn Period, learned people were called "Zi" to show respect, so people called Lao Zi "Lao Zi".
One day in 538 BC, Confucius said to his disciple Nangong Shu Jing, "I am a master of studying the history of Tibetan rooms in the Zhou Dynasty. I know the source of rites and music and understand the essence of morality. I want to ask Zhou for advice today. Would you like to go with me? " The nangongshan ShuJing readily agreed, and immediately report to lujun. Lujun allows this. Send a car, two horses, one son and one imperial palace, and Nangong Jingshu will accompany Confucius. I'm glad to see Kong Qiu coming all the way. After the professor left, I invited Kong Qiu to visit Dr. Changhong. Changhong is good at music, giving Kong Qiu music rules and music theory; Kong Qiu's introduction of sacrificial ceremonies, his inspection of missionary sites and the etiquette of temple fairs made Kong Qiu sigh and benefit a lot. Stay a few days. Kong Qiu said goodbye to Lao Tzu. When I sent him out of the building, I gave a sentence: "I heard that the rich give people money and the righteous give people words." I am neither rich nor expensive, and I have no money to send you; I'd like to send you a few words. In today's world, smart and knowledgeable people are almost dead, because they are good at mocking others' mistakes; Those who talk eloquently and are smart, are always in trouble, just to publicize the evil of others. As a son, don't think highly of yourself; As a minister, don't put yourself first. I hope you will remember. Kong Qiu nodded: "Disciples must keep it in mind!" ! "
When I reached the bank of the Yellow River, I saw the river surging, the turbid waves rolling, and the momentum was like Ma Benteng, the sound was like the roar of tigers, and the sound was like thunder. Standing on the shore, Kong Qiu sighed: "The deceased is like a husband, staying up all night! The water of the Yellow River is rushing, and people's years have passed. The river doesn't know where to go, and life doesn't know where to go? " After listening to Kong Qiu, Lao Tzu said, "Between heaven and earth, life and heaven and earth are one. Heaven and earth are natural things; Life is also a natural thing; People are young, young, strong and old, just like the alternation of spring, summer, autumn and winter in heaven and earth. What is sadness? Born in nature, died in nature, let it be natural, and nature is not chaotic; If you don't let nature run, you will be bound by nature. If fame exists in your heart, you will feel anxious; If you want to stay in your heart, you will have more troubles. " Kong Qiu explained: "I'm worried about the road. I can't do it, I can't do it, I can't do it, I can't stop fighting, I can't cure the country's chaos. So my life is too short to contribute to the world and sigh for the people. "
Laozi said, "Heaven and earth have no push, the sun and the moon are self-evident, the stars are self-ordered, and animals are born without man-made. This is natural, why bother people? " People are born as human beings, so they have nothing, so sharing weal and woe means that there is a natural principle and a natural way. Only by following the principles and ways of nature can the country be autonomous and the people be self-righteous. Why should we talk about rites and music and advocate benevolence and righteousness? It is far from human nature to talk about rites and music and advocate benevolence and righteousness! Just like a person who beats a drum to escape, the bigger the blow, the farther people escape! "
After a pause, Lao Tzu pointed to the Yellow River and said to Kong Qiu, "Why don't you learn the virtue of water?" Kong Qiu said, "What is the virtue of water?" Laozi said: "Being good is like water: water is good for everything without contention, which is the virtue of humility;" Therefore, Jiang Hai can be the king of all the valleys, and if he is good at it, he can also be the king of all the valleys. The water in the world is not weak, and the strong can't win, which is also gentleness; Therefore, softness wins, and weakness wins. Because it has nothing, it can enter without trace, which shows that the teaching without words is also beneficial to inaction. "Kong Qiu suddenly realized:" Sir, this sentence made me suddenly enlightened: people are in water, and water is lonely; Everyone is easy, and water is alone; Everyone is clean, and water is alone. Who can contend with the evil people do? This is why it is good. " Lao Tzu nodded and said, "You can teach me! You can remember: if you don't fight against the world, no one in the world can compete with it, which is to imitate Shuide. Water is more than Tao: Tao is everywhere, water has no disadvantages, avoid heights, never oppose, and be good at its place; The empty place is quiet and unfathomable. Goodness is deep; Losses are inexhaustible, efforts are unrequited, and kindness is also benevolent; You must rotate, you must fold, you must stop, you must flow, you must be kind and trustworthy; Wash the filth, smooth it out, and handle things well; There is a load floating, a clear reference, a strong attack, and a good use of energy; It's also good for you to stay up all night and fall behind. Therefore, saints can do whatever they want, and saints should change because of things; Wise men govern by doing nothing, while great men live in harmony with the weather. After you come here, besides your desire for appearance, you should be arrogant in words. Otherwise, people will smell it before they arrive, and the wind will move before it arrives, walking in the street like a tiger. Who dares to use you? Kong Qiu said, "Mr. Wang's words came from the heart and entered the disciple's heart and spleen. Disciples have benefited a lot and will never forget it. Disciples will be obedient and tirelessly grateful to the teacher for his kindness. " Say that finish, say goodbye to Lao tze, and reluctantly get on the bus and head for the Nangong.
When they returned to Lu, the disciples asked, "Did you go to see Lao Zi?" Confucius said, "See it!" The disciple asked. "What about Lao Zi?" Confucius said, "Bird, I know it can fly; Fish, I know it can swim; Beast, I know it can walk. Pedestrians can be tied with nets, swimmers can catch them with hooks, and fliers can shoot them with arrows. As for dragons, I don't know why. Dragon riding storm for nine days! I can see Lao Tzu, but is he still a dragon? Knowledge is unfathomable, and interest is high and difficult to know; As a snake bends and stretches at any time, as a dragon changes in time. Laozi, I am really a teacher! "
(3) talk about the way of ups and downs.
On Tuesday (5 18 BC), Lao Tzu returned to Zhou after the wake expired. In the fourth year of Zhou dynasty (5 16 BC), the royal family of Zhou dynasty had civil strife and led troops to capture the city. Zhou was forced. At that time, Jin was very powerful and sent troops to rescue Zhou. Lonely, he fled to Chu with his old Imperial Classics of Liao and Zhou Dynasties. Lao Tzu was implicated in dereliction of duty and resigned from his old post. So he retired from the palace, rode a green cow, wanted to go out of Hangu Pass, and went west to Qin.
Not far from Luoyi in Zhou Dynasty, but the fields are desolate. In broken walls, the mine fields are destroyed, the buildings are staggered, the countryside is deserted, and the hay rustles. There are no cultivated horses in the field, but the horses are running endlessly on the avenue, and some horses are dragging their stomachs and struggling to follow. Seeing this scene, my heart ached, and I thought, "An ominous weapon of a soldier is not a weapon of a gentleman. Use it as a last resort, enough is enough, and calm is the best. You don't have to be beautiful to win. People who are beautiful are happy to kill. A happy murderer can't succeed in the world! Those who help others with Tao will not strengthen the world with soldiers. Where there are soldiers, there are thorns; After being a soldier, there must be a bad year. There is a road in the world, but it is a waste; There is no way in the world, and the suburbs have horses. If there are military horses in the suburbs, the country will be chaotic and the family will be broken. "
It is said that Guan Yin, an official of Hanguguan, was fond of observing astronomy and reading ancient books when he was young, and he was deeply cultivated. One night, looking at the starry sky from the independent building, I suddenly saw the oriental ziyun densely covered. The third, Wan Li, shaped like a dragon, rolled in from east to west and said to himself, "Purple gas flows from east to three Wan Li, and saints pass through here from west. Qingniu slowly carries the old man and hides. " Guan Yinzao heard Lao Zi's name and wondered if it was Lao Zi in the future. So he sent people to clean the road for forty miles and burn incense in the street to welcome the holy.
On the afternoon of July 12, the sun sets in the west and the light shines from the east. Guanyin was about to take a look at Shimonoseki when she saw an old man riding a green cow among the sparse pedestrians. The old man's head is as white as snow, his eyebrows hang down on his temples, his ears hang down on his shoulders, his knees hang down, and his face is plain and clean. Guanyin looked up at the sky and sighed, "I am very lucky. See the saint! " Three steps at a time, two steps at a time, rushed forward, knelt in front of the green cow and said, "Guanyin kowtowed to the saint."
I saw the worshipper's square face, thick lips, thick eyebrows and long nose, dignified but not cold, gentle but not coquetry. I knew he was not an ordinary person. He deliberately tried to say, "It's polite to ask adults to worship the poor old man! I dare not accept it. I don't know what suggestions? " Guanyin said, "Grandpa, you are a saint! I hope to stay in the house and point out the way to practice. " Lao Tzu said, "What is sacred about me that makes you love me so much? Ashamed, ashamed to kill the old lady? " Guanyin said: "Guanyin is incompetent; Have a good observation of astronomy and a little understanding of changes. Seeing the purple gas coming from the east, we know that there are saints going west, and seeing the purple gas rolling like a dragon, its length is three Wan Li. Knowing who will be supreme is not the usual saint; Seeing the white clouds around the purple gas head, I know that the sage's white hair is the shape of the old man; Before seeing the purple gas, there was a blue cow holding the hand of the star. I know that the sage came from the blue cow. "
Lao Tzu laughed after listening: "I'm flattered, I'm flattered!" I've heard a lot about you for a long time, and I'm here to meet you. " Guan was overjoyed and kowtowed again and again. After that, Guanyin took Lao Tzu to the official residence, asked Lao Tzu to sit on it, burned incense and made a disciple's ceremony, pleading, "Sir, you are really a great saint today! A saint does not steal his own wisdom for himself, but must take the wisdom of all people in the world as his own responsibility. Now you will live in seclusion, heartless, and it is difficult to find someone to ask for advice! Why not turn your divine wisdom into a book? Although Guanyin is shallow, I hope that Mr. Dai will be passed down to future generations and will last forever. "
Lao Tzu promised to take the rise and fall of the dynasty and the safety of the people as a mirror and trace back to the source, writing the first and second articles, totaling 5,000 words. The first article is based on "Tao can be Tao, but extraordinary; This name can be named, but it is very famous, so it is called Tao Jing. The next chapter takes "virtue is not virtue, but virtue;" Being virtuous without losing virtue is not a virtue. Therefore, it is called "Moral Classic" and "Moral Classic". " Tao Jing said that the root of the universe contains the opportunity of the change of heaven and earth and the beauty of the change of yin and yang; The second volume, The Classic of Virtue, talks about the way of the world, including the art of advancing and retreating, and the way of staying and seeing for a long time. Guanyin got it, and when she got the treasure, she meditated all day and was hungry.
(4) Discuss with Yang Ziju.
One day, I rode an ox to the outskirts of Liang (now Kaifeng, Henan), and was closing my eyes when I suddenly heard someone calling "Sir". I heard a voice, opened my eyes and found that it was disciple Yang Ziju.
Yang Ziju, wei ren, went to imperial academy to learn from Lao Tzu. He used to worship Lao Tzu as a teacher in private. Unexpectedly, when he met Lao Tzu in Liang, Yang Ziju hurriedly turned over from his high horse, lifted his robe and green robe, and bowed down in front of Lao Tzu's green cow. Lao Tzu came down, helped Yang Ziju and walked with him.
Lao Tzu asked, "What have the disciples been up to recently?"
Yang Ziju stood at attention and saluted: "I'm here to visit my ancestors' homes, buy real estate, decorate Liang Dong, recruit servants and rectify family rules. "
Lao Tzu said, "It is enough to have a place to lie down and eat. Why do you need to be so ostentatious? "
Yang Zi said, "Sir, sit quietly, walk loosely, lie flat and drink quietly. How can you do this unless you have a deep house? How can we support a single family with a deep house, no servants and no spare equipment? Recruit servants, equip them with utensils and don't make house rules. How should we treat them? "
Laozi laughed and said, "The avenue is natural, so why is it quiet?" . Do nothing but relax, drink nothing but sake, and lie down without desire. Why do you want to cultivate yourself in a deep house? Eat hungry, rest tired, work at sunrise and sleep at sunset. Why do you need many servants at home? Comply with nature, do nothing, and you will be healthy; If you fight against nature, you will be confused and your body will be hurt. "
Yoko was ashamed of her humble confidant. "I am vulgar, thank you for your advice."
Lao Tzu asked. "Where do you live?"
Yang Yuju said, "Pei County (now Pei County, Jiangsu Province)."
Laozi said, "Just stay with me." Yang Ziju is very happy. Go east with the teacher happily. When they reached the difficult waters, they crossed by boat. Lao Zi leads the cow to climb first, while Yoko leads the horse to climb later. I have a kind smile. Talking and laughing with passengers on the same journey; Yoko lives on his high horse, and the guests sit down when they see him. Tea is served and towels are handed on the boat. It was difficult to cross the water, and the two continued to ride horses. Lao Tzu sighed: "Just now, I saw your expression. You hold your head high, your head high. You are arrogant. Cannot teach. " Yoko was ashamed and said earnestly, "Disciples are used to nature and must change it!" Laozi said: "A gentleman gets along with others. If he is in harmony with water, he will work with others, such as a child servant; White and flawless, it seems to contain dirt, and its virtue is rich and vulgar. " Hearing this, Yoko changed his arrogance, looked disrespectful, and his words were neither arrogant nor flattering. Lao Tzu praised him and said, "Boy, you have made some progress! Born in the body of parents, standing between heaven and earth, natural things are also. If you value yourself and despise things, you will go against nature. If you value yourself and despise yourself, you are against nature. Things and I are in harmony, things and I are one, and you stop with the trend. If your words and deeds are unnatural, you will conform to the Tao! "
Second, Lao Tzu, surnamed Li Minger, was called Shi, or Bo Yang. At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, the year of birth and death is unknown (Hu Shi once speculated that Laozi was born in the early years of Zhou Lingwang in 570 BC), and he was from Chenguoku County in the Spring and Autumn Period of Zhou Dynasty (Kuxian, the name of ancient county, is generally considered by historians to be in Luyi County, Henan Province). China was an ancient thinker, philosopher, writer and historian, the founder and main representative of Taoist school.
Laozi was regarded as the ancestor of Li by the emperor of Tang Dynasty. He is a world cultural celebrity and one of the top 100 historical celebrities in the world. There is also Tao Te Ching (also known as Laozi), whose core essence is simple dialectics and advocates inaction.
Laozi's thought has a far-reaching influence on the development of China's philosophy, and Tao Te Ching is one of the works with the largest circulation in the world. In 1980s, according to the statistics of UNESCO, among the world famous cultural works, the Bible was translated into foreign languages and published with the largest circulation, followed by the Tao Te Ching.
Politically, Laozi advocates the rule of inaction and the teaching of words. Politically, Lao Tzu pays attention to the truth that extremes meet. In terms of self-cultivation, Laozi is the ancestor of Taoist double cultivation, paying attention to modest and upright practice and not competing with others.
Lao Zi and later Zhuangzi were also called Zhuang Zi. In Taoism, Laozi is regarded as the ancestor of Taoism and is called "the old gentleman on the throne".