one sun, three moons

The great Tao flows everywhere.
All things are born from it,
yet it doesn't create them.
It pours itself into its work,
yet it makes no claim.
It nourishes infinite worlds,
yet it doesn't hold on to them.
Since it is merged with all things
and hidden in their hearts,
it can be called humble.
Since all things vanish into it
and it alone endures,
it can be called great.
It isn't aware of its greatness;
thus it is truly great.
-- Stephen Mitchell, Chapter 34, Tao Te Ching

"You dreamed of two full moons in the sky," said Lao Tzu.

"Yes," I said.

"One is the eastern way, the way of Tao," said Jesus.

"The other is the western way, the way of Christianity," said Lao Tzu.

"The two were in the sky with a dove of peace etched in the clouds between them," I said.

"Each one's light reflects the other," said Jesus.

"Some of your followers won't like that, Jesus. They want only one moon," I said.

"In my father's house are many mansions," said Jesus. "Besides, they should be looking at the Sun."

"There was a third full moon in the sky, forming an equal sided triangle with the other two," I said. "What is that about?"

"We will talk about that when the time comes," said Jesus.

"Is it Islam?" I asked.

"Now you are really going to be in trouble," smiled Jesus.