What are the Three Robbers in Taoism? 什么是三盗
Paul PengWhat are the Three Robbers in Taoism?
It refers to Heaven and Earth, human beings, and all things.
Huangdi Yinfu Jing (Yellow Emperor's Hidden Talisman Classic) states:
“To give birth and to kill — such is the principle of The Dao.
Heaven and Earth steal from all things;
all things steal from human beings;
human beings steal from all things.”
What are the Three Robbers in Taoism?This means:
Heaven and Earth both nurture and destroy all things;
in destroying them, Heaven and Earth “steal” from all things.
All things benefit and harm human beings;
in bringing harm to humans, all things “steal” from people.
And human beings steal from all things by drawing on them to nourish the body.
Thus Heaven and Earth, all things, and humans form a contradictory relationship of mutual benefit and harm.
The human task is to fully grasp this relationship,
avoid harm and pursue benefit,
and bring the contradictions into proper harmony.
When this is achieved,
“The Three Stealers are in balance, and the Three Realms are at peace.”
This idea became a core principle in the practice of Internal Alchemy.
