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 a cause is and what an effect is. 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