Heaven - Explained Through Integrated Eastern Philosophy

I've always wondered what Heaven looks like. This chapter is probably the best description out there.

Photo by Anton Repponen on Unsplash

天道奧義

第一章　天

Chapter 1 – Heaven

from "Profound Truths of Heaven's Tao"

A Book of Integrated Eastern Philosophy

無極老母曰：混沌初開，氣之輕清，上浮者為天，日月諸星羅列其間，天無所不覆，無所不容，故，天之號，又曰大圜。地球亦諸星之一，人在地球視天，見為天體所包圍，乃自然之天也。天是神仙所居，故有天堂天國之稱。天之精華，凝結而為日月星辰，成象既著，功用乃行。

Non-Dual Eternal Mother imparts: Before the universe came into being, all was formless and still. From this vast chaos, light and pure energy rose upward, making space for the sun, moon, stars, and planets to take their places. This great expanse, holding all things, is called Heaven—or the Great Sphere. Earth is but one among many planets. When people look up from the Earth, they see Heaven stretching above and around them. It is the dwelling place of immortals, often called paradise or the Heavenly realm. From the essence of Heaven came forth the sun, moon, stars, and planets. Once formed, they began to move without rest, following the eternal order.

天有十三層天，由十三層天再分為三十六天，天外之天，謂之「無極」，天內之天，謂之「太極」，故有「無極」生「太極」。「太極」生「兩儀」。「兩儀」生「四象」。所以，天能生萬物，也能養萬物者也。

Heaven is structured into thirteen main levels and thirty-six smaller divisions. Above them lies the realm of nonduality, where all is one. Within the lower levels exists the realm of duality. As the I Ching teaches: “From nonduality comes duality; from duality come the two modes; from the two modes arise the four forms.” This sacred pattern shows how Heaven brings all things into being and continues to sustain them.

六合之外、謂之「無極」，六合者，上下東南西北，即天地四方也。「太極」謂天地，未分之前，元氣混而為一，即太初、太一也。「兩儀」，即天地也。「四象」乃金木水火之謂也。金木水火乃稟天地而有者也。

Beyond the known universe lies the state of pure nonduality. The universe itself has six directions: above, below, east, south, west, and north. These represent Heaven, Earth, and the four corners of the world. "Duality" refers to Heaven and Earth. Before they were divided, there was only formless unity, often called the Great Beginning. From the two modes—Heaven and Earth—came the four forms: metal, wood, water, and fire, each born from their sacred balance.

天分為東、西、南、北、中天，均屬十三層天之內，雖各有天門，但僅啟開南天門，有路直通凡塵，諸聖佛仙神，均由南天門出入，其它東西北三大門，均被封閉，不與凡塵接觸。故三清五老，太乙金仙，神超於六合，斂氣於三界之古老金仙，皆逍遙自在於天界也。凡天神，省稱曰天，如云：皇天后土，天知地和。因天是自然之天，故有天然、天命、天性、天心之謂也。

Heaven is also divided into five zones: east, west, south, north, and center. These belong to its thirteen levels. Each zone has a gate, but only the South Heavenly Gate is open to the world. Saints and Buddhas pass through this gate. The other four—east, west, north, and center—remain closed. For this reason, the Three Honored Ones, the Five Elders, and the Taiyi Golden Sages dwell beyond the universe. The Ancient Golden Sages, radiant with light and life, abide in the higher heavens. All divine beings call this place "Heaven." As the saying goes, “Great Heaven and clear Earth—they know and respond.” Because the universe is alive, it is also called Heaven’s Way, Heaven’s Will, Heaven’s Nature, and Heaven’s Heart.

人之靈，皆由天而降生於凡塵，故死後，其靈應歸回故鄉之天。怎奈，人自降生於花花世界，多數為名、利、酒、色、財、氣所迷，更為貪欲所驅使而無惡不作，甘願墜落於苦海之中，不能自拔，致忘記回歸故鄉之天，而墜落於地獄，此非天心不仁，實世人自甘墜落，夫復何言乎？所謂：順天者昌，逆天者亡也。

Human souls come from Heaven and are born into this world. When life ends, the soul is meant to return to its true home. But since ancient times, many have become lost in the pursuit of fame, wealth, pleasure, and anger. Some fall so deeply into greed and wrongdoing that they forget where they came from. Trapped by their own actions, they suffer—and in the end, they fall into hell. This is not because Heaven is cruel, but because they chose not to change. What more can be said? As the ancients warned: “Those who follow Heaven will thrive; those who resist it will fall.”

玄穹彼蒼，是上天之稱，天乃主宰宇宙萬物，化育群生，生生不息，所謂：天行健，自強不息。天是奇妙不可解？是威力最強大的。天為公正、純潔、至善，一切以天為標榜。

The phrase “Celestial Dome” refers to Heaven—the source of all things, which never ceases its work. As the Confucians say, “Heaven always renews and improves.” Heaven’s power is unmatched. It stands for justice, purity, and goodness, and serves as a model for all.

Note: This draft is my humble attempt, and it will be finalized at a later date.

Updated on June 24, 2025

May the merit of this translation be dedicated to those suffering in the realm of hungry ghosts.