3. Human Beings Are Worthy to Receive Honor from All Creatures, for They Lead All Creatures to Completion
Religious scriptures
The whole world was created only for the sake of the righteous man. He weighs as much as the whole world. The whole world was created only to be united to him. Talmud, Shabbat 30b (Judaism)
His movement is of Heaven, his stillness of Earth. With his single mind in repose, he is king of the world; the spirits do not afflict him; his soul knows no weariness. His single mind reposed, the ten thousand things submit— which is to say that his emptiness and stillness reach throughout Heaven and Earth and penetrate the ten thousand things. This is what is called Heavenly joy. Heavenly joy is the mind of the sage by which he shepherds the world. Chuang Tzu 13 (Taoism)
Elijah… went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17.5-6
Thus I have heard, on a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Uruvela, on the bank of the river Neranjara, at the root of the mucalinda tree, having just won the highest wisdom. Now on that occasion the Exalted One was seated for seven days in one posture and experienced the bliss of release. Then arose a great storm of rain out of due season, and for seven days there was rainy weather, cold winds, and overcast skies. So Mucalinda, King of the snakes, coming forth from his haunt, encircled the body of the Exalted One seven times with his coils and stood rearing his great hood above the Exalted One’s head, thinking, “Let not heat or cold or the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, or creeping things annoy the Exalted One.” Now after the lapse of those seven days the Exalted One roused himself from that concentration of mind. Then Mucalinda, King of the snakes, seeing that the sky was clear and free of clouds, unwrapped his folds from the Exalted One’s body, and, withdrawing his own form and creating the form of a youth, stood before the Exalted One, holding up his clasped hands and doing reverence to him. Udana 10 (Buddhism)
The earth’s condition is receptive devotion. Thus the superior man who has breadth of character Carries the outer world. I Ching 2 (Confucianism)
Only those who are absolutely sincere can fully develop their nature. If they can fully develop their nature, they can then fully develop the nature of others. If they can fully develop the nature of others, they can then fully develop the nature of things. If they can fully develop the nature of things, they can then assist in the transforming and nourishing process of Heaven and Earth. If they can assist in the transforming and nourishing process of Heaven and Earth, they can thus form with Heaven and Earth a trinity. Doctrine of the Mean 22 (Confucianism)
“The flowers appear on the earth, the time of song has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land” (Song of Songs 2.12): When God created the world, He endowed the earth with all the energy requisite for it, but it did not bring forth produce until man appeared. When, however, man was created, all the products that were latent in the earth appeared above ground. Similarly, the heavens did not impart strength to the earth until man came. So it is written, “All the plants of the earth were not yet on the earth, and the herbs of the field had not yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.” (Gen. 2.5)… When, however, man appeared, forthwith “all the flowers appeared on the earth,” all its latent powers being revealed; “the time of song has come,” the earth being now ripe to offer praises to the Almighty, which it could not do before man was created. “And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land”: this is the word of God, which was not in the world until man was created. Zohar, Genesis 97a (Judaism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
If you are completely united with God’s Will, you may have a mysterious experience: the feeling that God recognizes you as His own. At that moment, you will see the things of creation bowing their heads to you. On the day when all creatures recognize that you are a son or daughter of God and God’s treasured possession, the countless spirits of the spirit world, as well as all creatures on the earth, will bow their heads in praise. When God and all things recognize you, then everyone with a true conscience will also be in harmony with you. (4:102, March 16, 1958)
God said to the Earth, “O Earth, I made you the first mother. Now bear sons and daughters for me, and they will convey my eternal love to you.” The Earth agreed, and they entered into a covenant. Then the Earth said, “God, I long for Thy love. Thou didst ask me to make mediators who can build the bridge for Thy love. Having agreed to this covenant, I shall willingly comply with it by investing all of myself.” With that, the Earth provided the material for the human body. Now, if my body establishes a living connection with God’s love, experiences God’s love and loves God, then the Earth will say, “I am pleased to have created such glorious human beings.” (97:143, March 12, 1978)
The things of creation manifest their beauty to support the original love of human beings. The flowers with their red, yellow and multi-colored hues stimulate our love; they are nature’s way of praising love. They are God’s gifts to us… A husband and wife may dance round and round… but which ever way they turn, they do not forget the center. Likewise, all kinds of flowers have one thing in common: amidst the profusion of their petals, there is a center—the stamen and pistil. All things exist in pairs, and long to exclaim, “Ah!” as they come together. All things in nature symbolize the ideal of love between man and woman, and all things praise that love. That is the original purpose of their existence. Flowers and foliage deck themselves out as best they can to celebrate and welcome the love of human beings. It is the same with animals: birds sing their love songs to praise human beings in love. The sight of a man and woman loving each other inspires them to sing with more ardor. And as both male and female harmonize their birdsong to the couple’s love, it encourages the couple to love with even more passion. In love’s embrace, all creatures and human beings are united into one, and God, too, sings for joy… This universe is so beautiful! The clouds are love; the breezes blow love; the brooks babble love; the birds sing of love…! If you were to ask a flower, “Where do you want to go? Would you like to go to a place where you can manifest your utmost beauty and make others happy?” It will answer, “Yes, put me in the foremost place in the world!” Where is that place? Surely it is the master bedroom of a home where God’s love dwells, where it can praise such love. What a marvelous place for a flower to be! Nothing is more delightful to a flower than to bloom in the bedroom of a couple that loves each other with true love. Since God dwells in that place, the flower is not only providing decoration for that couple, but also for God. What an honor! (146:107, June 7, 1986)
The human body is a microcosm of the universe. There are minerals, plant and animal substances within your small universe. When true love knocks at the door of the human body, all the billions of cells are immediately activated and become ecstatic. The five senses come alive—every cell of your lips wants to kiss your beloved; every cell in your eyes want to gaze into your lover’s eyes… Keep your eyes wide open and observe the life of males and females in the animal world. Consider also the coupling between pairs in the world of microbes, the world of cells and the world of minerals. Then, when you become the embodiment of true love, when every cell of your body and all your senses are alive with true love, what happens? You become like a gigantic magnet, pulling all the paired elements of nature to you. Everything will line up centering upon you because you are the center of true love. Everything in the universe responds to true love. Therefore, all the animals, plants, and minerals will follow you wherever you go. Nature will protect you and your loving family. In the original world of true love, there are no barriers. You enjoy total freedom. Wherever you go, you find only harmony and complete cooperation. (163:44, April 1, 1987)
In the universe are galaxies, vast beyond imagining. The universe is vast beyond counting; yet, God's purpose of creation cannot be found by gazing at the universe. God’s purpose of creation—to build a world where all people live with one accord—can be found on the Earth, which is only a small planet inside the solar system, and within human beings, who when compared to the vast universe are smaller than dust particles. Have you ever thought about this amazing fact? Once we know it, we should feel delighted, grateful and glorious! (5:343, March 8, 1959) |