The Tao as the Ultimate Principle

The Tao is presented as the ineffable, spontaneous source and underlying order of all existence, preceding even God, and is the central concept around which the entire philosophy revolves.

The chapter discusses the Tao Te Ching's focus on the Tao and its characteristics, as reflected in the title and content of the work.

The chapter explores the Tao as the impersonal, non-active, and all-encompassing principle that covers, protects, nurtures, and matures all things.

Laozi's teachings focus on the Tao and its attributes, as seen in his book composed at the barrier-gate.

The Tao is presented as the ineffable source of all things, beyond language and conceptualization.