The Three Purities and Three-Stage Ontologies: From Daoism to the Baháʼí Faith

In this article, we draw on the Daoist trinity of the Three Purities to outline a three-stage ontological framework for understanding the relationships between primal unity, emerging patterns, and the phenomenal world. We then apply this framework to identify parallels in Platonic, Sufi, and Baháʼí ontologies. We find that despite differences in time, space, symbolism, language, and conceptualisation, each tradition posits three ontological stages or realms that depict aspects of the creative process. We consider the notion of “return” as it is understood in each of the four traditions. Through a discussion of expositions of this process by Chen Tuan (872–989) and Zhou Dunyi (1017–1073), we consider the complementarity of the movement from primal oneness to phenomenal multiplicity, and the reverse movement back to primal unity. We place these insights into dialogue with notions in the other traditions (such as the “arc of descent” and “arc of ascent”), elucidating the paradox of simultaneous states of transcendence and immanence. A phenomenological approach allows us to understand the dynamic integration between the three ontological stages, and points to the role of experience and action for deepening understanding and spiritual progress. Finally, we consider the ethical and social implications of the three-stage ontological framework.