Trees and animals, humans and insects, flowers and birds: these are active images of the subtle energies that flow from the stars throughout the universe. Meeting and combining with each other and the elements of the Earth, they give rise to all living things. The superior person understands this, and understands that her own energies play a part in it. Understanding these things, she respects the Earth as her mother, the heavens as her father, and all living things as her brothers and sisters.

Those who want to know the truth of the universe should practice … reverence for all life; this manifests as unconditional love and respect for oneself and all other beings.

Lao Tzu

Founding  Where: China When: 6th century B.C.E. By Whom: Li Erh Also Known As: Lao Tzu, Laozi Important Texts: Tao Te Ching, Chuang-Tzu

Modern Facts  Major Divisions: no major divisions Where Found: China Population: difficult to define and count, probably 30-50 million