500 BCE

Lao Tzu, the first of the Chinese to practice formal Taoism, writes his book Tao Te Ching, a collection of 80 poems that reflect the principles and benefits of following the flow of events as nature intends them to happen, or Tao (“the Way”). This document is addressed to political leaders and presents the ideal way for a leader to govern his people, based on the Taoist principles. In spite of its political intent, the Tao Te Ching is used as a text of guidance by everyone who follows Taoism and it still viewed as the foremost text in Taoism today.