Throughout the ages, the study of Laozi's works can be said to be overwhelming. However, where did Lao Tzu practice in his later years? Where did Laozi "soar" after he got the Tao?
The trace of Lao Zi's voyage to the West through Hangu Pass is an "eternal mystery" ...
1. Have Gansu scholars solved the mystery of history?
On June 22nd, 2006, at the panel discussion of the First International Forum on Laozi Culture held in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, researcher Zhang Bingyu read out the paper "Laozi in Gansu-Trying to Reveal an Eternal Mystery" that he had finished in cooperation with researcher Yan Tao of Gansu Social Science Federation, and said that they had uncovered the "unknown end" of Laozi, the founder of Taoism, after his westward journey to Hangu Pass in his later years. ?
"According to relevant historical materials, physical objects and folk sacrificial customs, I infer that after I went through the customs, I cultivated myself and preached in Gansu and other places, and finally' ascended to heaven' in Lintao County, Gansu Province". This statement has aroused great interest from experts and scholars present.
"Probably because it is the authority of the history of faith, it seems that most of the research on Lao Tzu's" final destination "ends here. At this international forum on Laozi culture, I will try to solve this mystery. " Zhang Bingyu said. He thinks that Lao Tzu went out of Hangu Pass and continued his westward journey, with footprints all over Gansu. ?
Laozi's trip is generally from Hanguguan (now northeast of Lingbao County, Henan Province), through Sanguan (now southwest of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province), into Gansu, and through You Tianshui, Qingshui, Lixian County, Qin 'an, Gangu, Longxi, Weiyuan, Lintao, Lanzhou (Gaolan), Guanghe, Jishishan, Yongjing, Yongdeng, Wuwei and Qinghai Gate.
Second, is the "pass" of Laozi's westward journey "Hangu Pass" or "Songguan Pass"?
There have been two opinions about Laozi's westward journey to Heguan: one is "Hanguguan" (now northeast of Lingbao County, Henan Province), which is the view of most people; The other is called "Sanguan (now on Dasanling, southwest of Baoji City, Shaanxi Province)".
Zhang Bingyu said that Laozi's westward journey passed through Hangu Pass, and the real "going through customs" is going through customs for the following reasons:
1 year, Lao Tzu despaired of the Zhou Dynasty and decided to go to other countries far away from the Zhou Dynasty. If he went to Hangu Pass, he would "go out", but his goal of "going to Zhou" was not achieved, because Hangu Pass still belonged to the territory of Zhou Dynasty.
2. It can be seen from the historical classics that Li Daoyuan has locked the "pass" of Laozi's voyage to the West in his Notes on Water Classics;
3, "The Pen of Strong Laozi" Guan Ling Yin Xi, a word official, was born in Longxi (now Lintao, Gansu Province) at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period. He was a doctor of Qin State and once made a customs clearance order, not a letter valley customs clearance order.
Ge Hong in the Eastern Jin Dynasty wrote Bao Puzi, saying, "I went west, and when I met the customs, I made Yin visit three places. Because I liked the volume of Tao Te Ching, I was called Lao Zi." This shows that the "combination" of Laozi's Tao Te Ching and Tao Te Ching is scattered.