Home
About Us Membership Course Catalog

Fact and Fiction about Laozi and his Daodejingns

 

with Dr. Jennifer J. Bussio

 

Start Learning

What if everything you think Laozi said… isn’t actually in the Daodejing?

“Every human being’s essential nature is perfect and faultless, but after years of immersion in the world, we easily forget our roots and take on a counterfeit nature.” That’s a quote from Laozi, author of the Daodejing, right? (No.)

What about “being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” Surely a common quote on the Internet must be true. (Double no.)

What did Laozi talk about then? Did he even really exist? Come with us as we discuss the authorship, history, and main themes of the Daodejing while debunking some popular (mis)quotes in “The Absolutely True Story of a Fake Philosopher: Laozi and the Daodejing.”

Start Learning

A GUEST LECTURE brought to you by Religion for Breakfast

From Andrew Henry's 1M+ subscriber YouTube channel, the Religion Department is an online learning community where leading experts teach about their fields. 

Your Instructor


Dr. Jennifer J. Bussio

Jennifer J. Bussio holds a doctorate in East Asian Languages and Civilizations (Chinese) from Arizona State University with a focus on Chinese history and religion. Her research examines how Chinese religions, particularly Daoism, responded to the political and social turmoil caused by war and foreign conquest during the fourth through fourteenth centuries. Since 2018, she has taught history courses at a large, private university in the U.S.

Your Instructor

Dr. Jennifer J. Bussio 

Jennifer J. Bussio holds a doctorate in East Asian Languages and Civilizations (Chinese) from Arizona State University with a focus on Chinese history and religion. Her research examines how Chinese religions, particularly Daoism, responded to the political and social turmoil caused by war and foreign conquest during the fourth through fourteenth centuries. Since 2018, she has taught history courses at a large, private university in the U.S.

Ways to Watch

Annual Membership

$99

Unlock this recording plus full access to the entire library.

  • All Guest Lectures

  • All Guided Readings

  • 50% Off Seminars

Join Now

Guest Lectures are Free for Members

Guest Lectures and Guided Readings

Stream our entire catalog. 

50% Off All Seminars 

  Our 8 week deep-dives. 

Replace Doomscrolling

  Study religion with an online community.

Start Learning

Guest Lectures are Free for Members

Join today to be part of a community-centered approach to the study of religion.
As a member, you will have a voice in shaping the topics we explore and the learning tools we create

50% Off All Seminars

 Save big on deep-dive courses taught by top experts.

Access to All Guest Lectures and Guided Readings

 Watch exclusive talks from
trained scholars. Join live or watch the rdings.

Join a Community

  Join our inaugural class of online learners and help shape the topics we exp

Join Our Membership

already a member?

Your member catalog has this event and your seminar discounts. Click below. (Login required.)

MEMBER CATALOG

Need Help?

Get in Touch