ming Chinese term meaning ‘fate’, ‘mandate’. In general, ming is what is outside of human control. ‘Ming’ is thus nearly synonymous with one use of ‘t’ien’, as in the observation by Mencius: ‘That which is done when no one does it is due to t’ien; that which comes about when no one brings it about is due to ming.’ Ming can also refer to the mandate to rule given by t’ien or the ‘moral endowment’ of each human. See also CHUNG -YUNG , T’IE. B.W.V.N.