EXCERPT: Why did God (if there is one) Create? [Dedicated to the REAL guy (pseudonym:Jay) in the story. Thank you for being a good friend and BROTHER all this while!] One night, Zeph was passing by Tampines MRT (subway) station on his way to catch a movie at Century Square when a stranger approached him, asking if he could spare some time. Zeph (Z) knew it would be about sharing the teachings of God. The gentleman introduced himself as Jay (J). He was dressed neatly in a long-sleeved shirt and pants, looking as if he had just knocked off from office work... or is he doing his "work" now? He definitely looked like a sincere and nice guy. There was a twinkle of genuine interest in his eye. Initially, Zeph wanted to simply turn him down with a simple "No" before walking off- but that twinkle made him decide to give conversation a chance: Z: Hi... emmm... I'm sorry, but I'm a staunch Buddhist. J: That's okay! Say, how long have you been a Buddhist? Z: About 5 years or so. J: Do you mind if I share with you about God? Z: Sure... I'm willing to hear what you have to say, but provided you hear what I have to say too. J: Of course! Z: Errr... because I'm rushing for time, can I ask you a question first? It's very important- it's like my first and prime question about God. J: Go ahead! Z: Okay- If there is a God, "WHY did God create?" J: Create you? Z: No no... create "anything"... and "everything". Why did God create anything at all? J: Out of Love for us. Z: But how can God love something that is not yet created? J: Well, it's like a Mother who can love her unborn child in her womb! Z: In that case, why did God "conceive" the idea of creating? It's still the same thing, whether we ask "Why did God create?" or "Why did God think of creating?" J: Hmmm... What do YOU think is the answer? Z: I worked something out to figure this out recently... Please hold on, it's here somewhere... [Zeph rummages through the file in his backpack] Here it is! [He holds out a piece of paper for Jay to see, about to read it with a finger running through the words] Please stop me if there is any part you don't understand. J: Sure! Let's see... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHY DID GOD (if there is one) CREATE? Assuming there is a creator God, let us ask: "Why did God create?" There are only a possible number of reasons- 1. Out of need 2. Out of want (greed) 3. For no reason 4. For a transcendental reason that we can never understand 5. For a transcendental reason we can't yet understand, OR 6. A certain combination of 1-5. Given the classic attributes of an almighty creator God as a) Complete b) Pure c) Reasonable (Rational) d) Understanding of us ,AND e) Perfect Then, I) If God created b'cos of 1, He is not a)-[ IS Incomplete ] II) If God created b'cos of 2, He is not b)-[ IS Impure ] III) If God created b'cos of 3, He is not c)-[ IS Unreasonable/Irrational] IV) If God created b'cos of 4, He is not understanding of us (me, for one) needing to know the answer to the above question, before being able to believe Him. He is thus not d) V) If God created out of 5, belief in Him is out of the question for now, and for as long as we do not understand. He is thus not d) VI) If God created out of 6, He is not a), b), c), d) and/or e). Therefore, in any case, there is NO God... as attributed in a)-e). Conclusions: * There NEVER was a "Complete, Pure, Reasonable, Understanding and Perfect" creator God. * There is NO "Complete, Pure, Reasonable, Understanding and Perfect" creator God. * There can NEVER be a "Complete, Pure, Reasonable, Understanding and Perfect" creator God. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z: So what do you think? J: Hmmm... Z: God is the foundation of everything you believe in, that you hope I can believe. But I'm afraid I can't, as you just saw. My line of reasoning is down-to-earth and not far-fetched, is it? J: Yes, it's very reasonable. Did you come up with that by yourself? Z: Ya. I ask myself many questions on life and such. God was a big question mark resolved when I came up with this little proof thing. J: Not bad! I can't find anything wrong with your reasoning... as yet. Z: You know? I became a Buddhist because the Buddha could answer all the questions I ask. I have to admit I don't believe in God because of vice versa... I mean- God answers none of my important questions. I'm sorry if this sounds bad, but it's really so. I'm a person of reason, who doesn't over-demand reason. I'm only being reasonably reasonable. J: Yup. Z: You know, we Buddhists are proud of the spirit of Free Enquiry that the Buddha advocated. We are encouraged to ask all kinds of questions intelligently before accepting anything. No one is obliged to believe in anything blindly. No other religious teacher taught with this gracious openness. We say Buddhism starts from reason down on the visible ground, not from invisible faith up in the sky. The Buddha openly invited the followers of other systems of thought to question His teachings from various perspectives. It might be interesting to note that the Buddha was born in a unique time in history, at a time where India was with all kinds of religious thought. It is said that there were more than 65 religions then. The Buddha never said He was a God in any sense. But He openly proclaimed that He was Fully Enlightened, perfect in action, speech and thought, Compassion and Wisdom. And this, He never failed to exemplify in His 45 years of teaching. No religious founder taught as extensively and coherently as Him. He was a very practical teacher- who was only concerned with us achieving True Happiness. Another interesting point is that the Buddha taught about how the world's various religions evolved with Man's thinking. He even taught about how the belief in God arose! In this sense, Buddhism is the only religion that teaches about other religions! The Buddha never condemned any religion that benefitted Man on the whole, but He shows us where each religion's teachings stand in the light of the Ultimate Truth. It really blew my mind! J: You really know your Buddhism. And it seems very interesting! Z: Basics I guess I know quite well. Buddhism's really amazing! By the way, please don't get me wrong. I'm not against God-believers, it's just that I'd discovered the Buddha and His teachings to be nothing less than "Complete, Pure, Reasonable, Understanding and Perfect!" J: Hmmm... would you mind if I ask you questions about Buddhism just as you asked me your question about God? Z: Sure! J: But you're rushing for time... Z: Oh ya... I almost forgot. Tell you what- I'll give you my contact number. J: Thanks. I'll give you mine too. [Zeph scribbled onto his "God paper" and gave it to him, and Jay gave him his namecard] Z: Well, really got to go now... J: Nice meeting you. Z: Nice meeting you too! Hope I didn't take up your time. J: No, of course not- it was very interesting! I'm glad YOU took the time to talk to me! I'll call you. Z: Okay! Bye! In time to come, Jay and Zeph became good friends. Jay's questions on Buddhism were all answered by Zeph. He understood why Zeph became a Buddhist. And with more time, Jay told Zeph he was on his way to become a Buddhist. On knowing this, Zeph felt truly thankful that he caught that twinke in Jay's eyes. It must have been the twinkle of Jay's Buddha-Nature. But then again, it must have been Zeph's Buddha-Nature too, that caught that light in his eyes, with his eyes. -stonepeace: amituofo@singnet.com.sg (From "Zeph")