The Great Encyclopedia of Taoism

Figures of Taoism: Wei Guiren 魏归仁

Figures of Taoism: Wei Guiren 魏归仁

Wei Gui-ren, a Tang scholar, embraced Daoist relativism, rejecting fame, status, and distinctions. He advocated escaping office, equating all values, and abolishing thought—promoting passive acceptance of fate as the ultimate...

Figures of Taoism: Wei Guiren 魏归仁

Wei Gui-ren, a Tang scholar, embraced Daoist relativism, rejecting fame, status, and distinctions. He advocated escaping office, equating all values, and abolishing thought—promoting passive acceptance of fate as the ultimate...

Figures of Taoism: Wang Bo 王勃

Figures of Taoism: Wang Bo 王勃

Wang Bo (650–676), a leading "Four Paragons" poet, fused Daoist freedom, Confucian duty, and Buddhist emptiness. He championed transcending worldly distinctions through nature, while embracing cosmic dynamics, leaving a rich...

Figures of Taoism: Wang Bo 王勃

Wang Bo (650–676), a leading "Four Paragons" poet, fused Daoist freedom, Confucian duty, and Buddhist emptiness. He championed transcending worldly distinctions through nature, while embracing cosmic dynamics, leaving a rich...

Figures of Taoism: Liu Ze 柳泽

Figures of Taoism: Liu Ze 柳泽

Liu Ze (c. 727), Tang political thinker, promoted Laozi’s ideals of simplicity and restraint. He condemned elite extravagance and luxury goods as moral and political dangers, advocating strict measures to...

Figures of Taoism: Liu Ze 柳泽

Liu Ze (c. 727), Tang political thinker, promoted Laozi’s ideals of simplicity and restraint. He condemned elite extravagance and luxury goods as moral and political dangers, advocating strict measures to...

Figures of Taoism: Liu Zhiji 刘知几

Figures of Taoism: Liu Zhiji 刘知几

Liu Zhiji (661–721), Tang historian and philosopher, championed Daoist humility and restraint. He advocated retiring when full, valuing weakness over strength, and contentment with simplicity—principles for ethical life and historical...

Figures of Taoism: Liu Zhiji 刘知几

Liu Zhiji (661–721), Tang historian and philosopher, championed Daoist humility and restraint. He advocated retiring when full, valuing weakness over strength, and contentment with simplicity—principles for ethical life and historical...

Figures of Taoism: Cui Shi 崔湜

Figures of Taoism: Cui Shi 崔湜

Cui Shi (671–710), a Tang scholar-official, espoused Daoist warnings against excess and arrogance, using fire as a metaphor for fleeting power. Despite preaching moderation, his ambition led to downfall, embodying...

Figures of Taoism: Cui Shi 崔湜

Cui Shi (671–710), a Tang scholar-official, espoused Daoist warnings against excess and arrogance, using fire as a metaphor for fleeting power. Despite preaching moderation, his ambition led to downfall, embodying...

Figures of Taoism: Lu Zhaolin 卢照邻

Figures of Taoism: Lu Zhaolin 卢照邻

Lu Zhaolin (630–680), a Tang poet and "Four Paragons" member, blended Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Afflicted by illness, he embraced Daoist relativism and Buddhist transcendence, viewing life’s dualities as illusory...

Figures of Taoism: Lu Zhaolin 卢照邻

Lu Zhaolin (630–680), a Tang poet and "Four Paragons" member, blended Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Afflicted by illness, he embraced Daoist relativism and Buddhist transcendence, viewing life’s dualities as illusory...