Lao Tzu, the Father of Taoism
Lao Tzu translates to, "Old Man," and it is said that he spent 6 years in his mothers womb before being born with a long white beard. He is an item of debate, as it is not agreed on when he lived, and some even believe he was a symbol, not an actual person.
Most Taoists believe that, if he existed, he lived around the same time as Confucius, in the sixth century B.C.E., and worked as a keeper of records for the Chou Dynasty of China. There was much corruption, and this angered Lao Tzu so he attempted to escape to the mountains of Tibet. As the story goes, he was stopped by a guard, who insisted that he must write down his teachings before he could leave. Lao Tzu spent three days writing the most sacred book of the Taoist religion, the Tao-Te Ching, (Classic Way of Power). Lao Tzu fled to the mountains and was never seen again.
Most Taoists believe that, if he existed, he lived around the same time as Confucius, in the sixth century B.C.E., and worked as a keeper of records for the Chou Dynasty of China. There was much corruption, and this angered Lao Tzu so he attempted to escape to the mountains of Tibet. As the story goes, he was stopped by a guard, who insisted that he must write down his teachings before he could leave. Lao Tzu spent three days writing the most sacred book of the Taoist religion, the Tao-Te Ching, (Classic Way of Power). Lao Tzu fled to the mountains and was never seen again.
Beginning of Modern Taoism: Chuang Tzu
Chuang Tzu became first known when he elaborated upon the Tao-Te Ching. He was believed to live in the third and fourth centuries B.C.E. He created a work known as the Chuang Tzu, and with ideas expressed in both the Tao-Te Ching and the Chuang Tzu, Taoist groups formed throughout China. They did not necessarily believe in exactly the same way or share the same practices, but they all followed the way of the Tao, by living moral and healthy lives.