The perfection of the universe-the words "perfection of the universe" are easy to say, but what on earth is the perfection of the universe? In order for the universe to be perfected, I must be perfected. No matter how perfect the universe may be, if I am not perfect, it is of no consequence. We all know that no matter how good the world is, no matter how much the external world is happy and dances about, if you yourself are overwhelmed with suffering in the present, then even if you go out into that rejoicing environment of the external world, it has no relationship with you.

Concerning the perfection of the universe, even though the external world may rejoice, the internal world of my own self must also rejoice. To rejoice, both my mind and my body must rejoice. If I look at my cells, they are all rejoicing. The cells of the eye and the cells of the sole of the foot are different, aren't they? But even though they are different, those cells are all rejoicing. So are the cells of the hand and all the other cells. The perfection of the universe comes about when we have a world in which we can feel the joy of love, resonating centered on the mind and body not isolated but united into one, with neither one being left out and both being able to rejoice. (166-210)