Tao Lineage 道統

The Profound Essence of Eastern Philosophy

What are the core teachings of Heaven's Tao? What is its purpose? This chapter truly shows Heaven's compassion for humanity. It provides the perfect overview of Heaven's Tao in its origin and history.

Heaven is the source of things and life and its guiding principles is the way back to Heaven. How could we not be inspired by it? Photo by Brady Bellini on Unsplash

Chapter 3 - Tao Lineage

from "Profound Truths of Heaven's Tao"

A book of integrated Eastern philosophy

The Nondual Eternal Mother imparts: Heaven’s Tao is the embodiment of Heaven’s Principle. To reveal this divine wisdom to the world, Heaven sent the saint leader, Xuanyuan Huang Emperor, to be born into this world. He later defeated Chiyou and battled Yuwang, uniting the diverse tribes to establish a central state. Huang Emperor, a figure of immense historical importance, lived for over three hundred years, practiced Heaven’s Tao for over a hundred years, and reached enlightenment. He rode a dragon into the heavens at Ding Hu Lake in broad daylight.

Huang Emperor passed the throne and Tao to his grandson, Zhuanxu. He instructed him: “Above is the great sphere, and below is the great square. If you emulate them, you can be the caretaker of people.” The great sphere refers to Heaven, while the great square refers to Earth. Only those who understand the ways of Heaven and Earth are fit to rule.

All successors of Heaven’s Tao can trace their origins. Following Xuanyuan Huangdi’s ascension to Heaven after receiving the Tao, the lineage passed to Yao Emperor. Then, Yao passed on to Shun Emperor, Shun passed on to Yu Emperor, Yu passed on to King Tang, King Tang passed on to King Wen, King Wen passed on to Duke of Zhou, Duke of Zhou passed on to Laozi, Laozi passed on to Confucius, Confucius passed on to Zengzi, Zengzi passed on to Zisi, Zisi passed on to Mencius, and Mencius passed on the same lineage to the present day. During the reigns of Huang and Yao Emperors, the essential teaching of Heaven’s Tao was summarized into one clause[1]: “sincerely embrace the center.”

The ceaseless change of the universe is a timeless embodiment of the Tao’s flow. The essence of Tao, a force that cannot be seen, heard, or touched, yet existed before the universe. It is the creator of all things, the most supreme and omnipotent of all. This awe-inspiring power of Tao, beyond human comprehension, is a reminder of the humility we should feel in its presence. For that reason, people ought to set their aspirations in Tao.

Heaven’s Tao, born of the nondual realm, was destined for the world. Consequently, Heaven chose specific times and individuals for the birth of saints to continue its lineage. People showed virtues during the first part of the lineage, from Xuanyuan Huang Emperor to Yao, Shun, and Yu. They followed their inner sense of right and wrong. The method of governance during that time was through unconditioned transformation. By the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, people had forgotten their innate virtues and inherent nature. In short, people became apathetic and uninhibited. Their hearts, unlike in the past, lacked purity and kindness. Heaven-sent saints successively promoted Taoism, guided people through truth revelation, and showed them how to restore their true selves. Sadly, in the chaotic times of the Spring and Autumn period, many rulers competed for more power, and the human hearts slowly leaned towards immorality. Meanwhile, as Confucius spread the word on moral duties across different states, Mencius promoted benevolence and justice. They were saints born to champion Tao and guide others.

The lineage of Heaven’s Tao continues to the present. However, the present state is a stark contrast to the past. Today, Tao has descended into spirit-writing centers, where its teachings are used to guide people. Unfortunately, the wisdom of humans now leans towards science and technology, rejecting Heaven’s Tao and its truth. Instead of self-cultivation, people engage in immoral activities and serious misconduct. This trend leads to societal collapse, moral decay, frequent disasters, and widespread suffering. In response, Heaven has opened the door to widespread deliverance, sending spiritual leaders such as saints, buddhas, sages, and divine beings to explain teachings and guide people during great catastrophes. These spiritual leaders play a crucial role in disseminating the teachings of Heaven's Tao, guiding individuals on their spiritual journey, and helping them understand and practice the principles of Heaven's Tao. One must practice humbly and sincerely to understand Heaven’s Tao, loyalty, empathy, and compassion, and achieve sagehood. Hence, ‘What Heaven has bestowed is the innate nature. Actualizing the innate nature is the adherence to Tao. Recovering the innate nature is the abidance of the teachings.’ So, Tao is in the heart. Heaven is the reward for virtuous thoughts, while hell awaits the wicked.

[1] During the first part of the lineage, the essential teaching comprised four Chinese characters - “允執厥中.” However, its meaning is difficult to translate into four words in English. To translate the teaching into four words could bog down reader comprehension because it could create confusion. I needed to replace description—accurate and consistent, even when the one clause expanded into four clauses of sixteen characters from the Chinese phrase “人心惟危，道心惟微，惟精惟一，允執厥中.”

Here is the introductory video to the chapter. Click on the video image to watch. If you open it through YouTube, you can turn on the caption.

天道奧義

第三章　道統

　　無極老母曰：天道即天理也，天道欲傳於世，上天乃先降生聖主軒轅黃帝。黃帝戰榆罔，滅妖人蚩尤，一統天下而創建中國，在生三百餘歲，修天道一百餘年而得道，在鼎湖龍馭，白日昇天。

　　黃帝傳位於聖孫顓頊，並將道統傳於顓頊。黃帝訓顓頊云：「爰有大圜在上，大矩在下，汝能法之，為民父母。」大圜者天也，大矩者地也，法天法地，即可治民。

　　溯天道之道統，皆有淵源，自軒轅黃帝，得天道而昇天，道統一直傳於堯帝，堯傳於舜帝，舜傳於禹帝，禹傳於湯王，湯傳於文王，文王傳於周公，周公傳於老子，老子傳於孔子，孔子傳於曾子，曾子傳於子思，子思傳於孟子，孟子繼而一脈相傳，迄今不絕。自黃帝傳至堯帝，天道之心法真詮曰：「允執厥中」四個字。由舜帝傳下之天道心法真詮曰：「人心惟危，道心惟微，惟精惟一，允執厥中」十六個字。故，後世以此十六字謂：「天道心法十六真詮」所以，中國固有文化，係繼承天道之道統者也。

　　「道」是流動的，宇宙一切變化，都是「道」的表現。「道」的本身看不見、聽不到、也摸不著，而確是先天地生，為萬有的主宰。因道是最高的，無所不能的，所以，世人當志於道。

　　天道之道統，既自無極而降傳於世，又天生聖人以弘道，是乃應運而降生者也。蓋道統自軒轅黃帝傳於堯、舜、禹，當是時，人性本至善，道行自然，無為而治。迨至夏、商、周朝時代，人類卻不知固有德性，失去本來面目，以致世道澆漓，人心不古，雖有聖人層出弘道，洩露天道真理以化人，指出真我之所在，和修復之方法，怎奈，時至春秋之亂世，諸侯爭雄，人心漸趨險惡，而有孔子週遊列國，提倡人道，孟子倡行仁義，此乃上天差遣聖人降世，以弘道化人者也。

　　天道之道統，流傳至於今日，道降於鸞門，藉神教以化人，飛鸞提醒人心向善，怎奈人類智慧，趨於科學之文明，棄天道真理於不修，逞奸詐險惡於橫行，致使世道更崩潰，人心更反常，造成浩劫頻臨，人民塗炭。上天有鑒於此，為挽救浩劫，乃大開普度之門，聖、佛、仙、神頻頻下凡，闡教勸世度眾，惟願修道者，虛心深造，自能達於天道之秘奧，忠恕之旨，而至於仁，得證聖成真。所以「天命之謂性，率性之謂道，修道之謂教。」是以「道」在心中，一念之善，即天堂，一念之惡，即地獄之謂也。

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

Updated on December 8, 2024