"Tao" is not only the natural way of the universe, but also the method of personal practice, that is, cultivation. "Virtue" is not the usual morality or virtue, but a monk's special world outlook, methodology and way of dealing with people. ?
Laozi's original intention was to teach people how to practice Buddhism. Morality is the foundation, and Taoism is the sublimation of morality. Without the foundation of virtue, you are likely to fail in dealing with people, managing your family and governing the country, and you will not be able to "cultivate Buddhism."
Therefore, cultivating "virtue" is to create a good external environment for monasticism, which may also be needed by people; Being a monk requires a quiet mind and a detached life, which is also indispensable for virtue. The moral part of Tao Te Ching accounts for a large part of the Confucian classics, which is the basis of monasticism.
Expanding Materials In the process of imparting knowledge by Teacher Shang Rong, Lao Tzu always gets to the bottom of the matter and is very eager for knowledge. In order to solve doubts, he often looks up at the sun, moon and stars and thinks about what the sky is, so that he often can't sleep.
Later, Mr. Shang Rong "really learned everything from the old lady." Recommend Laozi to study in Zhoudu. The literature records: "Last week, I went to see a doctor, entered imperial academy, learned all about astronomy, geography and human feelings, read all the poems and books, and learned all the cultural relics, laws and history books, and made great progress in my studies.
The doctor also recommended him to be an official in the Tibetan room. The sutra depository is a collection of ancient books in the Zhou Dynasty, which is full of articles and books from all over the world. "Through this experience, Lao Tzu has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and made him famous.
Laozi was born in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. At that time, the environment was weak in the Zhou Dynasty, and various governors constantly competed for hegemony. The violent turmoil and changes made Lao Tzu witness the sufferings of the people, which was regarded as the Tibetan history of the Zhou Dynasty, so he put forward a series of thoughts on governing the country and protecting the people.
Yin also played a great role in the compilation of Tao Te Ching. When he was young, he was fond of astronomy, reading ancient books, and had a profound cultivation. Sima Qian recorded in Historical Records Biography of Laozi that Laozi "lived in Zhou for a long time and saw Zhou decline, so he went away."
Guan Guan (Order) Yin said: My son must be hidden, and his book must be written by me. Therefore, Lao Tzu said, I should leave with five thousand words of morality and never know what to do. Yin moved Lao Tzu, who traced his life experience, learned lessons from the rise and fall of the dynasty and the safety of the people, and wrote the first and second books, * * * five thousand words, namely the Tao Te Ching.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Tao Te Ching