Treatise on Three Origins by Qian Yuanzi 乾元子三始论

The author is unknown.

Judging from its content, Qianyuanzi appears to be a Taoist priest of the Tang Dynasty.

Consisting of one volume, it is included in the Fangfa (Methods) category of The Dongzhen Section in The Daozang.

Treatise on Three Origins by Qian Yuanzi

This text adopts the theories from Zhouyi Qianzaodu (The Secret Correspondences of the Qian in the Zhouyi), expounding the sequence of the formation of heaven, earth, and all things. It holds that heaven and earth originate from the "Taiyi" (Supreme Simplicity) which is formless and imageless. Taiyi transforms once into Taichu (Supreme Beginning), transforms again into Taishi (Supreme Origin), and transforms a third time into Taisu (Supreme Purity). Taichu is the origin of qi, Taishi is the origin of form, and Taisu is the origin of substance; these three are collectively referred to as the Three Origins. "All things are nurtured and generated from these origins." The yin-yang transformations of heaven and earth are endless and cyclical, hence the saying: "Ceaselessly strive for self-perfection."