http://www.eofcosmos.org/article/Universe~_Chinese_GenesisUniverse: Chinese Genesis
Topic Editor: Bernard Haisch (other articles)
Contributing Author: Sten Odenwald (other articles)
Article Topic: Cosmology
Last Updated: April 29, 2008
The Chinese mystic Lao-Tsu is one of the few direct creators of an ancient Creation story known to us directly by name. Lao-Tsu writes,
"There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless It stands alone and never changes. It pervades everything and is illimitable. It may be regarded as the source of the universe. I do not know what it is I call it Tao."
As a source of all being, Tao is itself beyond being. All existences in the universe sprang from Being, Being itself sprang from non-Being. Tao produces and nourishes all things by its own outflowing operation, and to it all things return. Also according to Lao-Tsu, Heaven never strives, and continues to be creative without effort or purpose.
Citation
Odenwald, Sten (Contributing Author); Bernard Haisch (Topic Editor). 2008. "Universe: Chinese Genesis." In: Encyclopedia of the Cosmos. Eds. Bernard Haisch and Joakim F. Lindblom (Redwood City, CA: Digital Universe Foundation).
. <http://www.eofcosmos.org/article/Universe:_Chinese_Genesis>