Heaven is my father and Earth is my mother, and even such a small being as I finds an intimate place in their midst.
Zhang Zai
My Father, My Mother
Topic: Divine Love & Goodness
Heaven is my father and Earth is my mother, and even such a small being as I finds an intimate place in their midst. Therefore that which fills the universe I regard as my body and that which directs the universe I consider as my nature. All people are my brothers and sisters and all things are my companions.
Zhang Zai (Chang Tsai, 1020—1077)
Zhang Zai was born in 1020 and died in 1077. He was an important scholar during the Song dynasty in China and played a key role in developing Neo-Confucianism, specifically a branch known as the "Study of the Way." Coming from a family of scholars, he held various official positions throughout his life, putting his philosophical ideas into practical use within the government.
One of his major contributions to philosophy was a brief essay called the Western Inscription. The essay was named this way because it was written on the west wall of his study. In it, he expressed the idea that Heaven and Earth are like a father and mother to all beings, emphasizing the natural relationship between humans and the universe. He saw every person as his sibling and every thing as his companion, speaking to the core belief of interconnectedness in Neo-Confucian thought.
Through the Western Inscription, Zhang Zai laid the ethical groundwork for Neo-Confucianism. His words became a point of reference for later scholars and continue to be studied today. The core message is simple: we are all connected to each other and to the universe, a notion that has practical implications for how we live and govern.
The Western Inscription
Wing-tsit Chan, A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1963 p. 497 [Zhang Zai, The Western Inscription].
Zhang Zai
Theme: Divine Father and Mother
About This Zhang Zai Quotation [Commentary]
Zhang Zai’s statement, “Heaven is my father and Earth is my mother, and even such a small being as I finds an intimate place in their midst,” reflects humanity’s deep connection to the cosmos. Through the metaphor of divine parentage, Zhang shows that the universe offers both nurture and order, situating human existence within the larger framework of nature. Even the smallest individual, he notes, holds a meaningful place in the vastness of Heaven and Earth, affirming the inherent worth of every being.
Zhang expands this view by describing the universe as his body and its guiding principles as his nature. This seamless connection between self and cosmos underscores universal kinship, where all people are siblings and all things are companions. Recognizing this shared essence fosters care for others and the environment, emphasizing the responsibility to live harmoniously within the same cosmic family under Heaven and Earth.
Through the truthful model of divine parents, Zhang encourages gratitude, humility, and stewardship. This filial relationship with Heaven and Earth inspires a shift from self-centeredness to an awareness of one’s role in the larger order. Aligning human nature with the universe’s guiding principles, Zhang offers an ethical vision that transcends individuality, urging humanity to live in harmony with nature and recognize the divine presence in all life.
Zhang Zai (Chang Tsai, 1020—1077)
The Western Inscription
Human Nature and Ethics (excerpt)
Heavenly Society (신사회) and the Development of Hyojeong (孝情) Culture (Excerpts)
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