📖 Meaning
Originally referring to the divine way of heaven—the awe-inspiring natural cosmic order—later came to mean the doctrine of ghosts and spirits bringing fortune or misfortune. It describes the practice of using religious superstition as a means of moral education and social governance, whereby rulers instill obedience through belief in supernatural forces.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Book of Changes (Yijing), in the commentary on the Guan (观, Contemplation) hexagram. The text reads: 'Observe the divine way of heaven, and the four seasons do not err; the sage uses the divine way to establish teaching, and all under heaven submit.' In its original context, the divine way referred to the natural cosmic order that inspired reverence. Over time, the term evolved to denote the deliberate use of belief in gods and spirits as an instrument of social control and moral instruction, a practice employed throughout Chinese imperial history.
💡 Example Usage
尼神道设教，假箕仙言上帝震怒，将降祸于夫人。
The nun, employing the doctrine of divine teaching, falsely claimed through a planchette spirit that the Supreme Deity was enraged and would bring calamity upon the lady.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 神道设教
- Pinyin: shén dào shè jiào
- Literal Translation: spirit, way, establish, teaching
- Category: Method
- Characters: 4