The way of heaven, the way fo earth, the way fo life: three worlds of eastern philosophy

摘要

Eastern philosophy has traditionally organized its body fo knowledge into three worlds-the way of heaven, the way fo earth, and the way of life. As is suggested by the use of the common term 'the way', the three worlds of eastern philosophy reflect the ocmmon concern of Eastern philosophers to learn from nature what the proper mode of conduct for humans ought to be which would establish the social order while ensuring personal fulfillment in life. This apper shows how this common ocncern of easten philosophers over the proper ocnduct of human affairs originates fro mtheir systemic and evolutinary view of the world. The main tenets of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, COnfucianism and shinto are used to illustrate how the isdom of conducting life is derived from the views of the world which underlie these systems of philosophy.