China set up its first research institute of Lao Tzu, the central figure of Daoism, in a southwestern university on Wednesday, the date believed to be the 2580th birthday of the ancient sage.

Zhan Shichuang, a philosophy professor affiliated with a research committee of the Institute of Religious Studies of Sichuan University, said the move would help better promote the teachings of Lao Tzu, widely regarded as the quintessential spirit of Chinese thought and philosophy.

The institute, which has yet to specify its curriculum, would base its study on the previous research of the Institute of Religious Studies, a leading national center for the study of religion, according to Zhan.

Daoism course teaching faculty from the Institute of Religious Studies would hold teaching posts concurrently in the new institute.

Zhan, also one of the participants involved in the organization and preparations for the institute, said its establishment also aimed to help Chinese both at home and abroad embrace the teachings of the sage who is thought to have lived in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C. - 476 B.C.).

"It is hoped that more innovative ideas would be introduced in both format and content in promoting Daoism ... and the institute would seek ways to accurately interpret the contents of Daoism through a modern angle, " he said.

The professor said they may even make cartoons of stories in Daoism classics so that they would more easily "enter people's households."

The institute's also aims to create a database of Daoism works and papers, he said. Talent training programs and workshops on Lao Tzu would be provided to boost cultural exchange with academic institutions at home and abroad.

Lao Tzu, literally means "Old Master" in Chinese. Lao Tzu is believed to be the founder of Daoism and author of the classic Daoism piece Tao Te Ching, the universal Taoist text book written in only 5,000 ancient Chinese characters and containing topics ranging from political advice and practical wisdom.

The book has been translated into dozens of languages and studied by thousands of scholars all over the world.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2009)