The Tao Te Ching, roughly translated as The Book of the Way and its Virtue, is an ancient Chinese scripture. Tradition has it that the book was written around 600 BC by a sage called Lao Tzu ("Old Master," also transliterated as Laozi, Lao Tse, Laotze, and in other ways) a record-keeper in the Emperor's Court of the Zhou Dynasty. The short work is one of the most important in Chinese philosophy and religion, especially in Taoism, but also in Buddhism. Many Chinese artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers and even gardeners have used the book as a source of inspiration. Its influence has also spread widely outside the Far East, aided by many different translations of the text into western languages. The book covers large areas of philosophy from individual spirituality and inter-personal dynamics to political techniques. The Tao Te Ching is said to contain 'hidden' instructions for Taoist adepts (often in the form of metaphors) relating to Taoist meditation and breathing.