15th day of the 2nd lunar month
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Ritual on the Day of Daode Tianzun (Laozi)
On the 15th day of the second lunar month, Daoists perform a ritual in honor of Daode Tianzun (道德天尊) — the Heavenly Lord of the Dao and Its Power, the third of the Three Pure Ones. In human form, he also manifested as Laozi (老子), the sage of the 6th century BCE and author of the Daode jing 道德经 (Classic of the Way and Its Power).
On this day, special rituals are held in temples, followers recite hymns from the Daode jing, bring offerings of fruit, wine, and flowers, and light incense. Many temples organize public lectures on Daoist philosophy.
Laozi’s teaching on wu wei 无为 (action without action), on acting in accordance with nature, and on harmony with the Dao remains a central guidepost of Daoist practice.
