Dao

Definition

The divine, nameless source of all things and simultaneously the path along which all things proceed toward fullness. The material distinguishes three senses: (1) the beginning and end of all things, a constant arising rather than a one-time creation; (2) the immanent, inevitable law of the arising, existence, and disappearance of things, ruled by no one; (3) the personal path or calling of the human being, which grounds ethics. The Dao is apophatic, cannot be expressed in words, and is known only by analogy, especially water.

Episodes

• 168 — History of non-Christian Religions — Topic 9
• 170 — History of non-Christian Religions — Topic 11

Related Concepts

• De
• Divination
• Emptiness
• Ethics
• Immortality
• Qi
• Will Of Heaven
• Wuwei
• Yin And Yang

Biblical References

• Matthew 26:52 — *Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. *