How people used to travel the world

applied to the Taoss?sect at the Mongol Court
The term which Polo writes as _Sensin_ appears to have been that popularly
applied to the Taoss?sect at the Mongol Court. Thus we are told by
Rashduddn in his History of Cathay: ‘In the reign of Din-Wang, the 20th
king of this (the 11th) Dynasty, TAI SHANG LI KN, was born. This person
is stated to have been accounted a prophet by the people of Khit? his
father”s name was Hn; like Shk-mni he is said to have been conceived by
light, and it is related that his mother bore him in her womb no less a
period than 80 years. The people who embraced his doctrine were called
[Arabic] (_Shan-shan_ or _Shinshin_).’ This is a correct epitome of the
Chinese story of _Laokiun_ or _Lao-ts_, born in the reign of _Ting Wang_
of the Cheu Dynasty. The whole title used by Rashduddn, _Tai Shang Lao
Kiun_, ‘The Great Supreme Venerable Ruler,’ is that formerly applied by
the Chinese to this philosopher.