法苑珠林 4.79

4.79

The Chunqiu ganjing fu says: 'The ruler of men shares his illumination with the sun and moon, and accords in trustworthiness with the four seasons. Therefore he takes heaven as father, earth as mother, the sun as elder brother, and the moon as elder sister.' (Taking heaven as father refers to the ritual of the Round Mound; taking earth as mother refers to the sacrifice at the Square Pool; taking the sun as elder brother is at the eastern suburb, and taking the moon as elder sister is at the western suburb.) The Chunqiu shuoti ci says: 'The word "heaven" (tian) means to fill (tian). Dwelling high above and regulating what is below, it serves as the constant norm for human beings and is the essence of accumulated yang. When contained, it is the Grand One; when divided, it takes distinct names. Therefore, the character is established by placing "one" (yi) over "great" (da) to form "heaven" (tian).'