"Harmony between men and nature (tianren heyi)" is a fundamental concept in classical Chinese philosophy. Here, tian does not refer to the ruling gods and spirits, but rather a symbol of nature. The most basic way of thinking for the Chinese is exemplified in the relationship between men and nature, which is believed not to be the subject-object relation; instead they are in a relationship of part and whole, reflection and original, as well as beginning and ultimate.

There are mainly the Confucian, Taoist and Buddhist views about the relationship:

According to Confucianism, nature is the origin of moral codes and principles while men are endowed with inborn moral codes. However, as men are blinded by the lure of fame, fortune and other lusts after born, they cannot detect moral codes inside their hearts. The purpose of cultivation is then to remove the exterior temptation of fame and fortune and to reach the acme where they can carry out those moral codes consciously.

According to Taoism, tian is nature and human being is part of nature, so men and nature should stay in harmony with each other. However, various rules and regulations as well as moral standards set by human beings result in the loss of their original natural essence, damaging the harmony between men and nature. Only when those restrictions imposed on human beings are lifted can men be freed and return to nature.

In Zen Buddhism, Buddhist nature from which human nature derives cannot be felt because human beings are obsessed with secular ideas and various lusts. As long as they realize these ideas and lusts are not real, the Buddhist nature will be displayed naturally, which means they will have reached the realm of becoming the Buddha.