<P> The Chinese characters in the original versions were probably written in zhuànshū (篆 書 seal script), while later versions were written in lìshū (隸 書 clerical script) and kǎishū (楷 書 regular script) styles . Daoist Chinese Characters contains a good summary of these different calligraphies . </P> <P> The Tao Te Ching is ascribed to Lao Tzu, whose historical existence has been a matter of scholastic debate . His name, which means "Old Master," has only fueled controversy on this issue . (Kaltenmark 1969: 10). </P> <P> The first reliable reference to Laozi is his "biography" in Shiji (63, tr . Chan 1963: 35--37), by Chinese historian Sima Qian (ca . 145--86 BCE), which combines three stories . First, Lao Tzu was a contemporary of Confucius (551--479 BCE). His surname was Li (李 "plum"), and his personal name was Er (耳 "ear") or Dan (聃 "long ear"). He was an official in the imperial archives, and wrote a book in two parts before departing to the West . Second, Laozi was Lao Laizi (老 來 子 "Old Come Master"), also a contemporary of Confucius, who wrote a book in 15 parts . Third, Laozi was the Grand Historian and astrologer Lao Dan (老 聃 "Old Long - ears"), who lived during the reign (384--362 BCE) of Duke Xian (獻 公) of Qin). </P> <P> Generations of scholars have debated the historicity of Laozi and the dating of the Tao Te Ching . Linguistic studies of the text's vocabulary and rhyme scheme point to a date of composition after the Shi Jing yet before the Zhuangzi . Legends claim variously that Laozi was "born old"; that he lived for 996 years, with twelve previous incarnations starting around the time of the Three Sovereigns before the thirteenth as Laozi . Some Western scholars have expressed doubts over Lao Tzu's historical existence, claiming that the Tao Te Ching is actually a collection of the work of various authors . </P>

Which book records three possible authors of the tao te ching with similar names