What are the Three Powers in Taoism

What are the Three Powers in Taoism? 道教中的三才是什么含义

Paul Peng

What are the Three Powers in Taoism?

Refers to Heaven, Earth, and Humanity.

I Ching · Great Treatise II states:

“The Book of Change as a work is vast and comprehensive.

It contains the Way of Heaven, the Way of Humanity, and the Way of Earth.

Combining the Three Powers and doubling them gives six lines.

The six are nothing other than the Way of the Three Powers.”

What are the Three Powers in Taoism?
The Three Powers denote the three basic elements that constitute the world:

Heaven above, Humanity in the middle, and Earth below.

The three are interrelated, interactive, and relatively independent.

One who comprehends these three holds all changes in the universe within grasp.

The doctrine of the Three Powers has exerted a profound influence and appears extensively in various doctrines of Taoism.
Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

About the Author

Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

Read his full story →
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