What does «Tao Te Ching» mean in Spanish?
- The Tao Te Ching, although probably the product of several different authors, is a treatise attributed to Lao Tse (Lao Tzu, Laozi) that is considered one of the fundamental doctrines of philosophical Taoism (Daoism). It is one of the most translated works of world literature, second only to the Bible. The name itself is typically translated as "The Classic of the Way and its Virtue", where Tao is translated as "The Way", Te is translated as "Virtue", and Ching is translated as "Classic". The origins of the Tao Te Ching are unclear, but historians agree that it first appeared during the spring and autumn period of ancient China, placing its genesis sometime in the second half of the 8th century BC to the first half of the 5th century BC. The name of this period is derived from the Spring and Autumn Annals, a chronicle of the state of Lu between 722 BC and 481 BC, traditionally associated with Confucius. As Lao Tse is typically considered an older contemporary of Confucius, that would place the origins of this work roughly between the late 5th and early 8th century BC. The exact circumstances surrounding the origin of the Tao Te Ching remain unclear, although one popular account places Lao Tse as the keeper of the imperial archives at Loyang in Henan province during the 6th century BC. When he saw that the kingdom was in decline, he decided to leave. Arriving at the border, the official in charge of the border crossing stopped him and asked him to put his teachings in writing, and, before leaving, Lao Tse wrote down the 5000 words of the Tao Te Ching.