The concept of causality or cause and effect is an interesting concept. Good thoughts and actions result in a joyous life, and evil thoughts and actions result in suffering in the future. But usually the effect of the cause is in the far away future. This makes it difficult for anyone to see this relationship of our thoughts and what occurs in the future.

But what would be God’s purpose in creating this scheme of placing the cause and effect so far apart. If the effect came immediately after the cause, it would be like God was punishing the individual. The individual would avoid evil action from fear of retribution, instead of from his or her free will. Evil thoughts will still be present in his or her mind.

It is this removal of evil thoughts that is paramount for the salvation of mankind. It is for this reason that the effect is not placed immediately.  Man would misinterpret this immediate effect as punishment. It is only when we understand that the cause of our sufferings may be our own doing, can we by our own volition eliminate the evils (greed, arrogance, and self love) from our minds. God does not force us to remove evil from our hearts; it is only possible by our own free will.

Heaven’s Truth Church/Tenrikyo Church