If ‘the universe is neutral and perfect’ meant that nothing happens that we don’t want and that we neither have to do our best nor have to be responsible for anything, we human beings would be no better than robots. Then, we might be free from all suffering, but at the same time, it wouldn’t be possible for us be happy, that is, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy things such as a sense of fulfilment, or greatness that enable us to feel dignified and valuable, either.
In order not to make humans like robots, God endowed them with the right to make decisions and the responsibility for their decisions. In other words, God gave us the privilege of being able to feel happiness and sadness. However, we don’t see the universe as it is and are troubled by suffering because we mistake the perfect world for an imperfect burning house. So, God sent his son to lead us to realise that the burning house is no other than the Kingdom of Heaven by seeing everything as it is. God sent his only son to us so that he might teach us how to make the best of the privilege of being able to feel happiness and sadness. This is evidence that the universe is perfect.
Student: “What is the perfect aspect of human beings?”
Master: “Parents bring up their children.”
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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