There are many fascinating stories in Confucius’s life, such as his learning to play the guqin (古琴, a seven-stringed plucked instrument in some ways similar to the zither), borrowing an umbrella, and “a lack of food supply.”
One of the best-known is that Confucius visited Lao Zi three times. The first time Confucius met Laozi, the two great thinkers had an in-depth discussion about Li; the second time Confucius met Laozi, their focus turned to the profound meanings of Ren (仁) and Yi (义); and the third time Confucius visited Laozi, they explored the Tao (道, the Way of Universe).
This article explains Confucius’s second meeting with Lao Tzu, which empowered Confucius to enrich Confucianism.
Meeting Again
The second meeting between the two was when Lao Tzu resigned from his post and returned to his hometown, Qurenli Village in Li Town of Ku County (苦县曲仁里). During this meeting, they talked about Ren and Yi. But they did not reach an agreement.
Knowing that Lao Zi had worked as a historiographer in the library of the Zhou Dynasty, Confucius wanted to request him to send his revised books over the years to the book collection so that he could pass them on to future generations.
Hence, Confucius and his disciples visited Laozi.
When Confucius met Laozi, he explained the purpose of the visit. To his surprise, Laozi refused. Confucius was anxious, so he went through many scriptures and explained them over and over again.
But Lao Tzu stopped Confucius from saying more, and he said “It is too tedious, and I want to hear the main point.”
Confucius stated that these books centered on Ren and Yi.
Lao Tzu inquired, “Are Ren and Yi inherent to human nature?”
Confucius said, “Yes. A gentleman cannot establish a reputation without being benevolent and cannot stand in society without being righteous. Ren and Yi are indeed the nature of man, and what can one do without them?”
Lao Tzu asked again, “May I ask what Ren and Yi are?”
Confucius replied, “Being neutral and being happy with external gains with universal love and without partiality, this is the essence of Ren and Yi.”
Lao Tzu said, “Alas! The elements that you mentioned are pompous and hypocritical! It is precisely because one’s temperament has already deteriorated that emphasis needs to be placed on universal love! It is precisely because there is already a selfish phenomenon that selflessness needs to be emphasized. Do you want everyone in the world not to be able to raise themselves? Alright, heaven and earth already have their laws of motion, the sun and moon already have their brightness, the stars already have their sequences, birds and animals already have their groups, and trees already stand upright on the ground. You act in a natural state and follow the rules to progress, which is excellent. Why so urgently proclaim Ren and Yi? Isn’t it to search for fugitives by beating a drum? The louder the drum, the farther the fugitive runs. Hey! You have disturbed human nature!”
After listening to these words of Laozi, Confucius made no further reply.
He understood that he and Laozi differed in their views of Ren and Yi. Thus, he chose to leave and continued independent thinking and exploration.
Confucius advocated that “the benevolent love others” (仁者爱人) and they hoped to transform society through Ren and Yi. However, Lao Zi considered Ren’s and Yi’s traditional concepts too pedantic and advocated following the natural laws of heaven and earth.
This encounter drove Confucius to think about his concepts of Ren and Yi, delivering his deeper understanding of Taoism. This collision and exchange of ideas significantly impacted the development of Confucius and his teachings.
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