Two Theorems of Religion
To summarize all the scriptures, I believe they can be summed up in two theorems:
1. God (Buddha) loves all of us.
2. The God (Buddha) who loves us all is the only one who is omniscient and omnipotent.
First, if God (Buddha) does not love us, then we are finished. We would be hopeless. No matter how omniscient and omnipotent God may be, if He does not love us, He has no meaning to us. It is precisely because He loves us that He has meaning to us.
Next, second, no matter how much God loves us, if He is not omniscient and omnipotent, then He is meaningless. If God is not omniscient and omnipotent, then we can imagine situations where "even God cannot save this person." And the exception clause "this person is impossible" is always over-interpreted, weakening God's love, leading to "this person, this person, too, cannot be saved," and ultimately to "no one can be saved."
"This person is the only one He can't save."
When we say this, "this person" includes me. "This person" refers to me.
This is what Amida Buddha, as a bodhisattva, vowed: "I will not attain Buddhahood until all sentient beings are saved."
If we are content with only ourselves being saved and going to heaven, while everyone else is judged and sent to hell,
how is this any different from saying, "As long as we get rich, I don't care if everyone else gets poor"?
"ME(US) first"?
Of course, everyone cares about themselves, but don't you feel embarrassed to openly declare that? Well, if you ask me what I've done for others, I haven't done anything significant, but that doesn't mean I'm going to justify putting myself first.
I've gone off topic a bit, but if God isn't omniscient and omnipotent, love would be problematic. And if God is omniscient and omnipotent, then of course he could save each and every one of us.
"I can save you, but I don't."
That can't be true.
It's God's duty to save all living beings who deserve hell.
"I know that without you telling me."
That's right. I'm counting on you, God, or Buddha.
Today's story ended rather strangely.
Following the guidance of love and compassion,
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