The Nature is not created or intervened by god
What do you think when you hear the term nature? forrest and rivers? The term nature is often translated into Zi Ren(自然), but their meaning is quite different. Each Chinese character in the word represents something; 自 (zì) means 'self, oneself, since, and from', and 然 (rán) means 'so, thus, like this, and -ly'. Zi Ren represents the idea that the world exists as it is, by itself, without divine intervention, blessings, or curses. The Chinese believed that everything in the world operates according to natural laws and that nature is a self-contained system governed by these laws. Therefore, nature is similar to God, but it has no special affection towards humans.
The Chinese concept of Zi Ren gave ancient Chinese people a scientific perspective on the world. They believed that everything in the world had a natural explanation and that there was no need to invoke supernatural or divine powers to explain natural phenomena. This perspective gave rise to the development of natural sciences such as astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and agriculture. Ancient Chinese scientists observed the world around them and developed theories and practices that were based on natural laws. They understood the interdependence between humans and the natural world and the need to maintain a balance between the two. While they used nature, they also tried not to keep it as it is.
宇宙(Universe) includes the concept of time
The Western concept of the universe refers to the entire space and all the celestial bodies, including stars, planets, and energy within it. But the Chinese have a different perspective on the universe. They call it Yu Zhou(宇宙).
According to the ancient Chinese text, Huainanzi ｢淮南子｣, 宇 represents 'space or dimension,' while 宙 represents 'time'. This suggests that the Chinese saw time and space as the universe.
四方上下謂之宇 往古來今謂之宙 - ｢淮南子｣
The four directions and up and down are called 宇, and from ancient times to the present, they are called 宙. - Huainanzi
In the book ｢莊子｣ Zhuangzi, it is said that 宇 represents 'endless space', while 宙 represents 'endless time'. The Chinese view the universe as something without limits, both in terms of space and time.
有實而無乎處者宇也 有長而無本剽者宙也 ｢莊子｣
Translation: That which has substance but no place to exist is called 宇, and that which is long but has no origin is called 宙. -Zhuangzi
Moreover, the Chinese concept of the universe emphasizes the interaction and relationships between things. The character 間, which means interaction and relationship, is present in all the components of the letters; universe, space, time, and humans who observe it.
宇宙(Universe) is 時間(time) and 空間(space)
宇宙(Universe) is observed by 人間(human)
- Hyungsuk Choi, PHD