Laozi

Laozi (see other names and spelling variations ; Chinese : , English pronunciation: / l a ' d z / ; fl. 6th century BC ) was a philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching (often simply referred to as Laozi ). His association with the Tào Té Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of philosophical Taoism (pronounced as "Daoism"). He is also revered as a deity in most religious forms of Taoist philosophy, which often refers to Laozi as Taishang Laojun, or "One of the Three Pure Ones ".