Laozi's Writings at Hangu Pass
In 516 BCE, civil unrest erupted within the Zhou royal court. Prince Chao of Zhou led a rebellion, and the Jin state dispatched troops to aid King Jing of Zhou. Ultimately, Prince Chao was defeated and fled to the Chu state, taking with him vast treasures and the royal archives of the Zhou dynasty.
At that time, Laozi was responsible for managing the royal archives (equivalent to a modern national library director). As a result, he became implicated in the affair and resigned from his official position to retreat into seclusion.
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Laozi rode upon a green ox, preparing to pass through Hangu Pass and journey westward alone. The pass was guarded by an official named Yin Xi, also known as Guan Yin ("Pass Keeper"). Since childhood, Yin Xi had been intelligent and studious, well-versed in literature, and knowledgeable in astronomy and geography.
One night, as he climbed high to gaze at the starry sky, he suddenly observed a mass of purple qi rolling from east to west, stretching thirty thousand li and shaped like a flying dragon. Guan Yin knew that a sage was traveling westward and would soon pass through this place. The next day, he ordered his men to sweep the roads and burn incense along the way to welcome the sage. Soon after, an elderly man appeared at the pass. The old man rode a green ox, his hair white as snow, eyebrows hanging down to his temples, ears reaching his shoulders, and beard flowing to his knees. He wore a red robe of simple, clean fabric.
Upon seeing the elder, Guan Yin immediately rushed forward and knelt in reverence, saying: "Guan Yin is blessed with the fortune of meeting a sage in this lifetime!" Seeing the one who knelt before him had a square face, thick lips, heavy brows, and straight nose—dignified yet not cold, gentle yet without servility—Laozi immediately recognized this was no ordinary person. To test him, he replied: "Commander, you show such extraordinary courtesy by bowing to this poor old man! I dare not accept such honor. What teachings do you seek?"
Guan Yin replied: "Honored elder, you are a sage! I earnestly request that you stay at the pass residence to guide me in the path of cultivation."
Laozi replied: "What peculiar qualities do I possess to receive such deep affection? I am truly ashamed and embarrassed!"
Guan Yin said: "Though Guan Yin lacks talent, I have a fondness for observing celestial phenomena and understand some of their changes. When I saw purple qi coming from the east, I knew a sage was traveling west. Seeing the purple qi vast and mighty, rolling like a dragon, stretching thirty thousand li, I knew the coming one was supremely sacred and revered, not an ordinary sage. Seeing white clouds swirling at the head of the purple qi, I knew the sage had white hair and was an elderly figure. Seeing the Green Ox Star leading before the purple qi, I knew the sage would arrive riding a green ox."
Upon hearing this, Laozi laughed heartily: "I too have long heard of the great name of the Pass Commander and came specifically to pay my respects."
Guan Yin was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly. Afterward, Guan Yin led Laozi to his official residence, invited Laozi to take the seat of honor, burned incense and performed the rites of discipleship, earnestly requesting: "Master, you are the great sage of our time! A sage does not hoard wisdom for himself alone but takes the wisdom of all people as his responsibility. Now you will retreat into hermitage without sharing your benevolence, and those who seek teachings will find it difficult to locate you! Why not record your sacred wisdom in writing? Though Guan Yin is shallow and ignorant, I would be willing to help you transmit it to future generations, leaving a lasting fragrance for ages to come and bringing benefit to countless generations."
Laozi agreed. Using the rise and fall of dynasties and the safety and misfortunes of the people as his mirror, tracing back to the source, he composed two parts totaling five thousand characters. Guan Yin received it as if obtaining the greatest treasure, reciting it daily with eager devotion. The upper part begins with "The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name," and thus people call it the "Dao Jing" (Scripture of the Way). The lower part begins with "Superior virtue is not conscious of virtue, therefore it has virtue; inferior virtue never loses sight of virtue, therefore it has no virtue," and thus it is called the "De Jing" (Scripture of Virtue). Together they are known as the "Dao De Jing" (Scripture of the Way and Virtue).
The "Dao Jing" speaks of the fundamental root of the universe, containing the mysteries of heaven and earth's transformations and embodying the wonders of yin and yang's changes. The "De Jing" speaks of methods for conducting oneself in the world, containing the arts of human affairs' advance and retreat, and embodying the way of longevity and lasting vision.
