Q. Many cultures in history have had the idea of an original historical paradise. What do you think of the idea of recreating a new paradise on earth?

A. The Buddhist concept of paradise is not to build a new paradise on the earth from scratch, but to realise that where each of us stands is no other than paradise itself. The problem is that we cannot recognise paradise while staying there because we are deluded by illusions. We can enjoy it only if we become free from illusions.

So, Buddhism is not a religion that encourages us to pursue a paradise that is somewhere remote beyond our reach, but a religion that helps us to realise that we are already in paradise, by letting us know why we cannot realise the fact and teaching how to discern it. In fact, the idea of creating a new paradise is just another illusion.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway

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