The Encyclopedia of World Religions

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have lived during the sixth century B . C . E . Not much is known about his life, however, and what little is reported reads like legendary material developed to illustrate Taoist teachings. The central event recorded about Lao-tzu concerns his retirement. A worker in the Chinese archives, he is said to have resigned his position at an advanced age due either to discontent or political unrest. Having resolved to leave China, he mounted a water buffalo and headed off to the west. At the border he was stopped by a gate keeper, Yin Hsi. Unable to pay the toll with cur rency, he gave the gatekeeper his wisdom instead: He dictated the 5,000 characters that make up the central Taoist classic, the Tao Te Ching , the “Classic of the Way and Its Power.” Allowed to pass, Lao-tzu rode off into the west. Among other things, this story illustrates the Taoist principle of wu-wei, the abandonment of deliberate, acquisi tive action. Other stories about Lao-tzu also illustrate Taoist teachings. For example, Taoists believe that people who act entirely in harmony with nature do not dissipate any vital energy. The most modest claims suggest that Lao-tzu lived to an advanced age of, say, 160 or 200 years. Taoists were also intensely interested in ALCHEMY , a “science” that tries to mature substances that have been born prematurely. One legend relates that Lao-tzu spent a considerable amount of time inside his mother’s womb. When he was born, he was already an old man. Still other stories reflect tension between Taoism and its religious neighbors in China. For example, some say that when Lao-tzu left China,

Lakshmi Also known as Sri; the Hindu GODDESS of wealth and prosperity. She is also worshipped by Jains ( see J AINISM ). Lakshmi is the consort of the god V ISHNU . When he descends to Earth in his various AVATARS , Lakshmi often accompanies him. For example, when Vishnu took form as a dwarf, Lakshmi appeared as Padma or Kamala; when he took form as R AMA , she appeared as Sita. People worship Lakshmi in order to prosper, whether that prosperity is conceived of in agri cultural or monetary terms. She is often shown with LOTUS blossoms, for the lotus symbolizes flourishing. A common image shows her standing atop a lotus flower and holding lotuses in her two upraised hands. At times she is shown with two white elephants. The festival of lights, known as Divali or Dipavali, is particularly sacred to Lakshmi ( see H INDU FESTIVALS ). It takes place in October or November. On this occasion Hindus offer the god dess food, money, clothing, and jewels. Men also gamble, for Lakshmi is the goddess of good luck.

lama, lamaism See T IBETAN RELIGION .

Lao-tzu (Laozi) (sixth century B . C . E .) Chinese for “old master” or “old man”; the alleged founder of the Chinese religion T AOISM Lao-tzu is also the name of a book attributed to Lao-tzu, more commonly known as the T AO T E C HING . Lao-tzu has long been identified with Lao Tan, an older contemporary of C ONFUCIUS (551–479 B . C . E .). If that identification is correct, he would

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