Why did Lao-tzu establish Taoism?

Answer 1

Lao Tzu did not establish Taoism, but rather is reputed to have written the Tao Te Ching when he checked out of society.

Taoism as a philosophy emerged during the warring states period in response to the chaos of the time, and the perceived hypocrisy of the Confucians and legalists--but the philosophy was unnamed and definitely was not "established". This erstwhile philosophical Taoism reached its nadir as a philosophy for ruling during the reign of emperors Wen and Jing during the first 70 years of the Han empire -- and it is during this period that the earliest discovered complete version of the Tao Te Ching existed. As a philosophy for ruling, it was called "Huang Lao". Emperor Jing's son, Emperor Wu instituted Confucianism as his ruling philosophy, and Huang Lao Taoism declined in importance.

A few hundred years later in around 150CE, a fellow named Zhang Daoling fused Chinese shamanism with the ideas of Lao Tzu and formally established religious Taoism, in rebellion to the ruling Confucianism.

Answer 2

It is said that Laozi was tired of the way people lived in Changzhou and longed for a more simple life. When he was leaving the city, a guard asked him to write down all that he knew so his wisdom would not be lost. Laozi consented, and wrote the Tao Te Ching.

Answer 3

According to tradition, he wrote the Tao Te Ching after years as the record-keeper at the Zhou dynasty court. As record-keeper, Laozi (or Lao-Tzu) had access to a variety of manuscripts that eventually led to his writing Tao Te Ching to express his thoughts.

Answer 4

As the contemporary society of the Zhou dynasty was in decline, he was seeking a personal or natural discipline separate from that of technology.

Answer 5

The Period of the Warring States was ending.

^lies^

Society was declining

Answer 6

zhou dynasty was in decline

Answer 7

Society was declining

Answer 8

(Apex) he wantes to leave society

Answer 9

Society was declining (apex)

Answer 10

society was declining