_Lao-kiun_, sometimes celled _Lao-tsze_, who is said to have been born in the third year of the emperor _Ting-wang_, of the Chow dynasty (604 B. C.), was another miraculously-born man. He acquired great reputation for sanctity, and marvelous stories were told of his birth. It was said that he had existed from all eternity; that he had descended on earth _and was born of a virgin_, black in complexion, described "marvelous and beautiful as jasper." Splendid temples were erected to him, and he was worshiped as a _god_. His disciples were called "Heavenly Teachers." They inculcated great tenderness toward animals, and considered strict celibacy necessary for the attainment of perfect holiness. Lao-kiun believed in _One God_ whom he called _Tao_, and the sect which he formed is called _Tao-tse_, or "Sect of Reason." Sir Thomas Thornton, speaking of him, says: "The mythological history of this 'prince of the doctrine of the _Taou_,' which is current amongst his followers, _represents him as a divine emanation incarnate in a human form_. They term him the 'most high and venerable prince of the portals of gold of the palace of the _genii_,' and say that he condescended to a contact with humanity when he became incorporated with the 'miraculous and excellent Virgin of jasper.' Like Buddha, he came out of his mother's side, and was born under a tree. "The legends of the _Taou-tse_ declare their founder to have existed antecedent to the birth of the elements, in the Great Absolute; that he is the 'pure essence of the tëen;' that he is the 'original ancestor of the prime breath of life;' and that he gave form to the heavens and the earth."[120:2] M. Le Compte says: "Those who have made this (the religion of Taou-tsze) their professed business, are called _Tien-se_, that is, 'Heavenly Doctors;' they have houses (Monasteries) given them to live together in society; they erect, in divers parts, temples to their master, and king and people honor him with _divine_ worship." _Yu_ was another _virgin-born_ Chinese sage, who is said to have lived upon earth many ages ago. Confucius--as though he had been questioned about him--says: "I see no defect in the character of Yu. He was sober in eating and drinking, and eminently pious toward spirits and ancestors."[120:3] _Hâu-ki_, the Chinese hero, was of supernatural origin. The following is the history of his birth, according to the "Shih-King:"