ABSTRACT
In the sixth century BCE, a so-called guidebook for rulers appeared in the Chinese states of the Zhōu dynasty. Titled Dào Dé Jīng (translated as, Book of the Way and its Powers ), the work has historically been attributed to the philosopher Lǎozi 1 (literally, Master Lǎu ) and exists as the most important of scriptures in the oriental religious philosophy of Daoism. Underlying Daoist thought is the search for harmony in the universe. Practitioners believe this is achievable through a system of rules and practices that focus the individual upon the way (or the Dào ) of natural being in the cosmos, health, longevity, and action through inaction. Over the 2600 years that have followed, the Daoist movement has spread widely, and this ancient philosophy is deeply ingrained in the psyche of many contemporary Asian cultures.
