All things in the Universe and the World originate from a single root, a fundamental principle (la Cause primordiale). This principle is the Primordial Void Energy (Khí Hư Vô). Even Heaven and Earth are not exempt from this law. The Supreme Ultimate (Thái Cực) is the abode of the Supreme Being (God, the Creator), and the Supreme Ultimate also arises from the Energy of the Ultimateless (Vô Cực), which is the Primordial Void Energy. The Energy of the Ultimateless, through movement and stillness (manifestation), transforms into the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji).
Originally, when the Primordial Chaos (Hồng Mông) was undifferentiated, it was the beginning of the Primordial Void Energy, existing in space as a hazy obscurity. Suddenly, two primordial forces of unknown origin appeared, known as the “Primordial Void Energy”: one with a firm nature called Yang, and the other with a yielding nature called Yin. These two forces clashed, erupting into a great fire called the Supreme Ultimate (the abode of the Supreme Being). The Supreme Ultimate, in motion, generates Yang Energy; after reaching the peak of motion, it becomes still and generates Yin Energy. Stillness returns to motion, and motion returns to stillness, in a continuous cycle. This cycle of movement and stillness divides into the Two Principles (Lưỡng Nghi), establishes the Four Symbols (Tứ Tượng), and forms the Eight Trigrams (Bát Quái). The Eight Trigrams then operate according to the command of the Supreme Being. Gradually, the fiery mass of the Eight Trigrams shatters and disperses, forming countless stars, in an endless transformation. As the Eight Trigrams move, the atmosphere also moves, revolving around the Supreme Ultimate, and coalescing into a sphere called the Universe (Càn Khôn) (Le Kosmos). The force of the moving atmosphere gradually weakens, expanding outwards, causing the Universe to grow larger and wider. Gradually, the layer of atmosphere surrounding the Universe condenses and becomes denser than the inner atmosphere.
After the separation and formation of the Universe and the World, the Supreme Ultimate, having exhausted its material component, becomes lighter than air and transcends the Universe to reside in an absolute realm called Nirvana or the White Jade Palace (*1).
Although the Supreme Being uses the Yin and Yang Energy to create the Universe and the World, He is not separate from the cycle of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are also called the Way (Dao) (One Yin, one Yang is the Way).
Furthermore, the origin of Yin and Yang is the Primordial Void Energy, also known as the Pre-Cosmic Energy (Tiên Thiên), meaning it existed before Heaven and Earth (in French, La Substance précosmique; in Sanskrit, Mulaprakriti). Therefore, the scriptures refer to the Way as the “One Primordial Void Energy” that predates Heaven and Earth. As the Primordial Void Energy existing before Heaven and Earth, the Way is naturally existent (la Cause incréée), without beginning or end, invisible, inaudible, intangible. When called upon greatly, it shelters all things, encompassing Heaven and Earth, omnipresent, boundless, and limitless. When called upon subtly, it is found abundantly within a grain of sand or a blade of grass. The Way is the mysterious mechanism that gives birth to all things, and all beings, especially humans, rely on this mysterious mechanism to return to their origin, achieving transcendence and becoming saints.
The Book of Changes says: “The Way of Heaven is established through Yin and Yang, the Way of Earth is established through Firmness and Yielding, the Way of Humanity is established through Benevolence and Righteousness.” The Way of Heaven is the Heavenly Way, the Way of Earth is the Earthly Way, and the Way of Humanity is the Human Way. To live as a human, one must uphold these three Ways to achieve complete personhood.
Although the Way is formless, it must manifest through form, for the formless can only be understood through the tangible. For instance, if someone wishes to convey their thoughts and ideas to someone far away, they must write words on paper and send it to them. Written language is a tangible form used to express formless thoughts and ideas. Therefore, every Way must utilize tangible forms to maintain order and transmit its teachings from generation to generation. However, fearing that human hearts, prone to excess or deficiency, might not uphold the true Way for long, rules and rituals are established to guide people in their cultivation and adherence to the Way. This is called Religion.
Religions like Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Islam, etc., all divide their doctrines into two parts: a clear and evident tangible part to teach the lower levels, and a subtle and mysterious intangible part to be secretly transmitted to the higher levels. Since many irreligious people cannot comprehend these mysteries, they often criticize those who immerse themselves in the Way and renounce worldly affairs as “superstitious.” If these critics were to diligently seek and learn the deeper truths, they would understand that all religions share a common origin, respect a single Truth (la Vérité-Une), and are similar in their formless aspects, differing only in their forms (*2). These forms differ because religions must adapt to the customs and lifestyles of their respective cultures. However, at their core, they all uphold the same noble principle: to do good, avoid evil, cultivate the spirit, and seek the soul’s liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
The Way is non-action (Wu Wei), while Life is form. Non-action and form must unite to become one. With the Way, there is Life; with Life, there is the Way.
Like a lamp: the flame itself is tangible, representing Life. The light it emits is formless, representing the Way. People create the lamp, not the light (formless), but when the lamp is lit, light naturally appears.
Like a cup: the outer ceramic form is tangible, representing Life. The empty space within is formless, representing the Way. People create the cup, not the empty space inside (formless), but when the cup is made, the empty space naturally exists.
Like a door: the frame and the door itself are tangible, representing Life. The empty space for entering and exiting is formless, representing the Way. People create the door, not the empty space (formless), but when the door is made, the empty space naturally exists.
Like a wheel: the rim and the hub are tangible, representing Life. The hole for inserting the axle to allow the wheel to turn is formless, representing the Way. People create the wheel, not the axle hole (formless), but when the wheel is made, the axle hole naturally exists.
The lamp, the cup, the wheel, and the door are all tangible objects. The reason people create these objects is to utilize their formless aspects. This demonstrates how the Way values Life. People without the Way are like those who have a lamp but don’t know how to light it to produce light, who have a cup but don’t know where to hold water, who have a door but don’t leave an opening for entry and exit, who have a wheel but don’t leave a hole for the axle, preventing it from turning.
We know that every Way respects its founder above all else, but should we therefore disregard the founders of other Ways? All religious founders, regardless of their Way, have undertaken the divine mission of educating humanity since ancient times. However, their teachings must be disseminated according to the times. In times of turmoil, people need to be taught the way of harmony; in times of adversity, they need to be taught the principles of the Three Bonds and Five Constants. In this scientific age, it is necessary to explain the Way through empirical scientific methods. Thus, even though various theories may have conflicting points, they all contribute to humanity’s search for the one Truth. Because of this one Truth, all religions acknowledge and revere an absolute, omniscient, omnipotent being who holds the divine power of creation.
Moreover, today, having gained some understanding of various teachings, we should be grateful and respectful to the founders and great masters of the past, regardless of their Way, for these predecessors have worked tirelessly to clear the path and illuminate the way for us. The future harmony of religions depends on the two points mentioned above.
For a clearer understanding of these two points, please refer to the following two essays: one on “The Way of Heaven Worship” and another on “The Unity of the Three Religions.”
(*1) The scriptures say: “The light and pure Energy ascends to become Heaven, the heavy and turbid Energy condenses to become Earth.” The heavy and turbid Energy refers to the material component (matière) of the Supreme Ultimate that condenses to form the 72 Earths, 3000 worlds, and countless stars in the Universe. This is the true meaning of “Earth,” not just our small planet, as many misunderstand. The light and pure Energy is the essence of the Supreme Ultimate that transcends the Universe to form Heaven, hence “ascending to become Heaven.”
(*2) Methods of worship and ritual ceremonies.
Translator Note:
Hư Vô Chi Khí = Khí Hư Vô = Primordial Void Energy / Qi of Primordial Void
Thái Cực = Taiji = The Supreme Ultimate
Lưỡng Nghi = Liangyi = Two Principles
Dương Khí = Yang Energy, Yang Qi
Âm Khí = Yin Energy, Yin Qi
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