Tao 道 Explained Through Integrated Eastern Philosophy

This chapter is a good primer on Tao for those who want an overview of its meaning.

Tao is formless, shapeless, odorless, and soundless. In other words, you can’t see, taste, touch, smell, or hear it—which makes it hard to describe. That’s why it must be given a name and a symbol, so people can begin to explore and understand it. Image from Shutterstock

天道奧義

第二章　道

Chapter 2 Tao

from "Profound Truths of Heaven's Tao"

A Book of Integrated Eastern Philosophy

無極老母曰：亙古之初，未有天地之前，原是一片太虛，太虛者，虛而無物也。在虛無之中，混然產生一粒種籽，此種籽似一股力量，但無形狀，亦無固體，亦無聲亦無臭而永遠長在，茫茫而不明，不分晝夜，周流於宇宙之間，毫無掛礙，祂是創造天地萬物之老母，故號其名曰「道」。

Nondual Eternal Mother imparts: Before time began and the universe was created, there was only nothingness. This emptiness was called the Great Void. Within it, a seed appeared on its own. This seed was a living force—but it had no shape, form, sound, or smell. It existed forever in endless space, with no day or night. It moved freely and brought all things into being. This force is called Tao, or Eternal Mother.

道既無形無體，恍恍惚惚，彷彿裡面有個象，又彷彿是有一個物，又彷佛是有精，其精甚真，其中有信，自古至今，藉此，可以看到萬物，依之而化生。道，寂靜，不燥不寒，天不能覆幬，地也不能承載，小言之為無內，大言之為無外，充滿於四海之內，猶包其外，在寒而不冷，在炎而不熱，此乃道之體也。

Tao has no shape or body. It is vague and hard to grasp—yet within it, there seems to be an image, a presence, or a pure essence. This essence is true and full of trust. From ancient times until now, all things have come into being through it. Tao is quiet and still—neither dry nor cold. Heaven cannot cover it, and Earth cannot contain it. Small as nothing within, yet greater than all beyond, it fills the world and still holds more. It does not freeze in frost or burn in heat. This is the nature of Tao.

道生一、一生二、二生三、三生萬物，由此而累進，庶類繁多也。此道，先天地生而不為久，長於上古而不為老，永遠不變其質，能適用萬物，鳥得之而能飛，魚得之而能游，獸得之而能走，人得之故能生存，萬物得之以生，百事得之以成。人皆用祂，而不能見其形。故，道者一也，傳至後世，老子曰：「抱元守一」，孔子曰：「吾道一以貫之」故，萬物皆由一而起者也。

Tao gives rise to One. One gives rise to Two. Two gives rise to Three. And from Three comes all things. Tao existed before everything. Though eternal, it is not old. Its nature never changes, and it can guide all life. Because of Tao, birds fly, fish swim, animals walk, and people live. Whatever holds Tao can live; whatever follows Tao can grow strong. Though all things depend on Tao, few truly see it. Tao is the One, and one day, it will be fully understood. Laozi said, “Hold to your vital spirit and keep to the One.” Confucius said, “My teachings hold to one unchanging truth from start to finish.” All things begin with this One.

所以，道之高，高而不能察看，深而不能測量也。雖然道很明顯，也無法形容其名，看來很是廣大，也無法形容其廣。道是獨立而不改，萬物亦不能役使祂，天地陰陽，四時日月，星辰雲氣，飛禽走獸，凡有生命之物，皆取之於祂，而祂也不減少，全都合併於祂，祂也不增多。此乃道之秘奧，與光明正大也。

Tao is so vast that we cannot see its height or measure its depth. Even though it is present everywhere, it cannot be fully described. It may seem great, but its true size is beyond words. Tao cannot be changed or controlled. All things—Heaven, Earth, the seasons, sun and moon, stars and creatures—draw life from Tao, yet Tao remains unchanged. This is the mystery of Tao: it is everywhere, yet stays pure and unchanged.

道之明者，聰明有智慧之人，能察考到宇宙的深處，知道一般人所不知道的事，他人之所不能得到的，而聰明修道者可以得之，這就稱為「察稽知極」也。「察稽」，是從紛歧複雜的現象裡，而稽察是非曲直。「知極」，是從宇宙人生的深處，而明白很多的道理。一國之元首，若用此「察稽知極」之道理，則天下歸服矣。為政者，若用此道，則人民不迷惑而服從。在上者虛極，在下者靜篤，而「道」得其正也。虛則無我，靜則無物，無我即無私，無物即無慾，「無我無物」即可進於道也。信即是誠，誠則無欲，為上者，若能如此立於道，則可為民立命，立命就是為民設教也。無爭即無為，無為即是最上的誠，則萬物皆感其誠而應之也。無為是最高的修持，無為才能達到「天人合一」的境界。

Those who understand Tao are wise. They see deeply into life and understand things most cannot. This is the meaning of “looking deeply to understand Tao.” To “look deeply” means to reflect carefully to see the truth. To “understand Tao” means to gain wisdom about life and the universe. When a leader follows Tao, people follow that leader. When a leader is humble, and their people are at peace, all follows Tao. Being “empty” means not clinging to self. Being “still” means not stirring with selfish wants. When we let go of desire, we find freedom. In this freedom, we draw closer to Tao. Integrity means being sincere and free from selfishness. When leaders align with Tao, they guide others toward what is good. When there is no conflict, goodness flows and brings harmony. True sincerity moves hearts. To change others through kindness and truth is the highest way—uniting Heaven and humanity.

所以，「道」即理也，軌也，路也，為政者，對於人民，應按其身份，而給以其所應得，自然公平，萬民不爭也。授之以應得知名份，萬物自然平定，此即道為一之理也。天上月球，星辰之運轉，地球之繞行，皆有一定之軌道，決不越軌。世上之飛機，其航空亦有一定之航線，海上之船隻，亦有一定之航道。車輛之行駛，亦要按照交通規則之右行，否則，亂其軌道，就會發生危險與車禍。行人之行路，亦要遵守行走行人道，否則，就會發生危險與事故，所以循道而行則安，逆道而行則危，此皆「道」之用也。

Because of Tao, truth and justice can be known. When leaders give the people what they need, there is peace. Each part of society has its place, and when all fulfill their roles, harmony is born. This shows that Tao is One. Just as the moon, stars, and Earth follow their paths, planes fly set routes, ships sail marked waters, and people must follow roads. When these paths are ignored, danger comes. Tao is the same—it is the natural path that must be followed.

道為一，永不變化，得道之本體，應由少以知多，得事之要妙，應操正以治奇，則往前可知到太古，往後可知到無終。凡修道者，應抱著道，即道之本體，執著道之法度，即方法也。如是，則天下可歸於一也。

Tao is One. It never changes. To know it, we must begin with what we understand and go deeper, step by step. By reflecting on what is wrong, we can respond with wisdom. By looking to the past, we learn from ancient truth; by looking ahead, we see timeless guidance. Those who want to grow in spirit should follow Tao and its laws. Then, the world can return to oneness.

「道」是萬物之深奧處，善人以為珍寶，拳拳而服膺，惟恐失之，未敢須臾離也，離者非道也。不善之人，雖未明道之理，而能依道而行，亦可以安身立命。是故，「道」是天下之至寶，所以重此道者，堅心求之而可得，有罪者求之，也可以免罰也。

Tao is the source of all things. Those who understand this hold it dear and guard it well. They fear losing it, for without it, they are lost. Some people do not know this truth, but if they follow Tao, they will find peace and help others do the same. This is why Tao is the world’s greatest treasure. Those who seek it with heart and effort can find it. Even those who have gone astray can still be forgiven.

[1] This quotation is derived from the Dao De Jing. The numbers mentioned are not just numbers—each carries a deeper meaning. One represents Tao. Two represents duality. Three represents all things. Together, they also reflect the sequence of creation.

However, the process of creation is not purely linear; it is also integrated. Try this mental exercise: imagine a dot. Then, stretch that dot into a line. Now, pull the line back into a dot. The dot is the origin, representing Tao. When it becomes a line, it shows development or sequence. Yet the dot and the line are not truly separate—they are always one and the same.

Though their forms differ, their essence is unified. The dot and the line are two states of one reality. In short, Tao holds both the dual nature of the universe and its oneness.

[2] One is capitalized because it is a symbol of Tao.

Note: This draft is a humble attempt at the translation. It will be updated at a later date. Updated on 6/9/2025

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