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Preface
5 Planes of Existence
Introduction
Five Planes of Manifestation
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HEAVEN AND EARTH
Symbols of Spirit and Matter, the life and
the form sides of manifestation.
"There are, strictly speaking, only two substances, matter and
spirit: all particular things result from the composition in varying
degrees of these two, — are therefore mere accidents,' and have no
abiding reality" (Bruno). - J. L. MCINTYRE, Giordano Bruno, p. 159.
"Heaven represents the male (Yang) principle and earth the
corresponding (Yin) female principle, on which two principles the
whole of existence depends.' - C. T. R. ALLEN, Chinese Poetry,
Preface.
"Varro derives the male divinities from heaven or Jupiter as the
active principle, and the female divinities from the earth or Juno
as the passive principle." - ZELLER, Eclecticism, p. 177.
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the
earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of
the deep and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." -
GENESIS. i. 1, 2.
At the commencement of the emanation of the Solar Universe, the
primordial elements, Spirit and Matter, are differentiated from that
which is itself neither, but which is potential for both. And the
primordial matter is inchoate and formless, the involution of form
not having yet begun, -for Spirit is not yet permeating and
enlightening matter. And the Supreme Logos (the Atman) broods upon,
or contemplates, the "waters " of Absolute Truth, the Ultimate
Reality.
"In the beginning God, the Unity, created, or put forth from
Himself, the Duality, the Heavens, or Spirit and Deep, Force and
Substance, and their ultimate phenomenal resultant, generated of
them, the Earth or Matter. And the Spirit, or Force, of God, moved
on the 'face of the waters or Substance of God, and God said, or
found expression, and there was Light, or manifestation of God." -
E. MAITLAND, Life of A. Kings-ford, Vol. I. p. 199.
"Pwan-koo was the first Being after the separation of the heavens
and the earth, between which he existed, and whose heights and
depths he comprehended. He knew the principles of creation, and was
the original Ruler of the world. He is described as appearing from
vast unknown deserts." - KIDD, China, p. 100.
“Pwan-koo signifies the Second Logos, the Divine Artificer, from
whom all emanates. The separation of heaven and earth" refers to the
duality of primordial manifestation, namely, the polarities of
Spirit and Matter between which manifestation proceeds, and through
which the heights and depths of the planes of creation are to be
supplied. The Divine Ruler proceeds from the chaos (unknown
deserts).
"Of old, Heaven and Earth were not yet separated, and the In (Yin)
and Yo (Yang) not yet divided. They formed a chaotic mass like an
egg, which was of obscurely defined limits, and contained germs. The
purer and clearer part was thinly diffused and formed Heaven, while
the heaven and grosser element settled down and became Earth. The
finer element easily became a united body, but the consolidation of
the heavy and gross element was accomplished with difficulty. Heaven
was therefore formed first, and Earth established subsequently.
Therefore divine beings were produced between them (Commencement of
the Nihongi and the Kiujiki). - W. G. ASTON, Shinto, p. 84.
This statement refers, first, to the period prior to Involution when
Spirit and Matter were not yet differentiated from the Monadie
essence in which they lay potentia. This essence on the atma-buddhic
heights contained the prototypes (germs) of all things that were
afterwards to exist. Second, the primal elements, Spirit and Matter,
having come into being and become separated, the one from the other,
by reason of their different natures of activity and passivity,
there was established the interactive duality from which the highest
qualities (gods) should first arise in preparation for the process
of Involution.
"(In China there is) a belief in two higher Powers, which in the
language of philosophy may mean Form and Matter, in the language of
Ethics, Good and Evil, but which in the original language of
religion and mythology are represented as Heaven and Earth." – MAX
MULLER, Science of Religion, p. 92.
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