t’ien-jen ho-i Chinese term for the relationship between t’ien (Heaven) and human beings. Most ancient Chinese philosophers agreed on the ideal t’ien-jen ho-i: the unity and harmony of Heaven or the natural order of events and human affairs. They differed on the means of achieving this ideal vision. The Taoists, Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, focused on adaptability to all natural occurrences without human intervention. The Confucians stressed the cultivation of virtues such as jen (benevolence), i (rightness), and li (propriety), both in the rulers and the people. Some later Confucians, along with Mo Tzu, emphasized the mutual influence and response or interaction of Heaven and humans. Perhaps the most distinctive Confucian conception is Hsün Tzu’s thesis that Heaven provides resources for completion by human efforts. A.S.C.