The Ten Suchness
The
Ten Suchness consists of ten words prefaced by “such a” or “such an”: “Such a Form”, “Such a Nature”, “Such an Embodiment”, “Such a Potency”, “Such
a Function”, “Such a Primary Cause”, “Such a Secondary Cause”, “Such an
Effect”, “Such a Recompense”, and “Such a Complete Fundamental
Whole”. This doctrine reveals the deepest reality of the existence of all
things in the universe, which they call the principle of the Reality of All
Existence. Modern science has analyzed physical substrates to the extent of
subatomic particles. However, the principle of the Reality of All Existence is
much more profound than such an analysis, extending even to the mental world.
“Such a Form”
(Appearance) The existence of all things invariably has form.
“Such a Nature”
That which has a form invariably has a nature.
“Such an Embodiment”
That which has a nature invariably has an embodiment.
“Such a Potency”
(Power) That which has an embodiment invariably has potency (energy).
“Such a Function”
When it has potency, it invariably produces various outwardly directed
functions.
“Such a Primary Cause”
Innumerable embodied substances exist in the universe. For this reason, their
outward-directed functions are interrelated with all things. Nothing in the universe
exists in an isolated existence having no relation to other things. All things
have complicated connections with one another. They are interdependent and
through their interaction cause various phenomena.
“Such a Secondary Cause”
(Condition) Even when there exists a cause, it does not produce its effect
until it comes into contact with some occasion or condition. For instance,
there is always vapor in the air as the primary cause of frost or dew. But if
it has no secondary cause that brings it into contact with the ground or the
leaves of a plant, it does not become frost or dew.
“Such an Effect”
When a primary cause meets with a secondary cause, they produce a phenomenon
(effect).
“Such a Recompense”
(Rewards and retribution) An effect not only produces a phenomenon but also
invariably leaves some trace or residue. For example, the effect of frost
forming will give a pleasant feeling to one person who enjoys the patterns it
makes on the windowpane, while the same effect will give an unpleasant feeling
to someone else whose crops have been damaged by it. The function of an effect
leaving a trace or residue “Such a
Recompense.”
It
will be helpful to explain primary cause, secondary cause, effect, and
recompense in more detail. Suppose a man has offered his seat in the train to
an old woman. In his mind he possesses, as a primary cause, the potential of
wishing to be kind to others. When such a primary cause comes into contact with
a secondary cause, in this case his seeing an old woman staggering while trying
to stand in the train, it produces the effect of his offering his seat to her.
Afterward he feels refreshed, thinking, “I have done something good.” This is
recompense.” This recompense comes from
one's mind and from outside. The former comes first to him, the most important
recompense.
“Such a Complete Fundamental Whole”
The nine suchnesses mentioned above occur incessantly in society and in the
universe as a whole. They are interconnected in a complex manner, so that in
most cases, man cannot discern what is a cause and what is an effect. But these
suchnesses never fail to operate according to
the 1aw of the universal truth, and no one, no thing, and no function
can depart from this law. Everything
functions according to the Law of the
Ten Suchnesses, from form to recompense, namely, from beginning to end.
This is the meaning of “Such a Complete
Fundamental Whole.”
The
fact that this law forms all things, including people and their relations with
one another is called the Reality of All Existence.
The Ten Suchness
Such a Form (phenomenon)
Such a Nature (character)
Such an Embodiment (entity)
Such a Such a Potency (ability)
Complete
Fundamental Such a Function (activity)
Whole
Such
a Primary Cause (direct cause)
Such
a Secondary Cause (occasion or condition)
Such
an Effect (result)
Such a Recompense (reward or retribution)