This paper is a discourse on the concept of Tao in Confucianism, predominantly Neo-Confucianism from the Song and Ming dynasties in China.Tao is the origin of the universe. Confucianism regards Tao as the source of all matters in the universe; it is the driving force of celestial movements and determines the fundamental rules of the universe.Tao is formless and shapeless. It is through the interactions of yin and yang that beings are created and take a physical form, and species are given distinct characteristics. Tao cannot exist independently of yin and yang. Tao is the essence, while yin and yang represent its action.Confucianism places emphasis on the transcendence of Tao, which is neither esoteric nor erratic. Through its changing yet constant nature, Tao is manifested in the intrinsic moral nature of human beings.Emphasizing on the universality and reality of Tao, Confucian scholars believe that the virtue by which Tao creates the universe and nurtures all beings is prevalent in all creations, that the quality of Tao is widespread in every creation as opposed to being a unique quality of a specific species, region or group. Tao has universality, thereby it has a real existence and is not an empty concept.Ethics are fundamental in Confucianism; therefore, Tao carries ethical significance.Understanding the human way by studying the natural way and achieving the natural way by observing the human way, thereby practicing the Five Constants and Five Relationships, have become the central philosophy by which Confucian scholars discourse the essence of Tao.Confucian orthodoxy is also an important theme in the Confucian discourse on Tao. Only those who propagated the sage's way and Confucianism could enter the rank of Confucian orthodoxy. It symbolizes orthodox Confucianism and signifies the orthodoxy of culture and scholarship. Outstanding scholars in Confucian orthodoxy have become representative figures in teaching, propagating and creating the era of Confucianism.
