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If there is Justice,
why do children suffer and die?

Unfortunately, Justice exists only in God’s and human imagination. God’s fantasy life (Maya) is the creation activity of the Maker and conceals in Itself the secrets of the Universe—the Reality of an ever-changing world where we live. It is inconceivable and inaccessible and beyond the human mind’s grasp. And human imagination is merely a human imagination. That is why all spiritual traditions forever announce the Supreme Justice, while people forever search for It and rarely find It. Human intellect is incapable of finding Justice because it can never fathom the complexity of intertwined cause and effect of this Universe we call home. Only the certainty of spiritual knowing that is the result of many years of contemplative practice (meditation) can resolve the question of Justice.

When a child suffers or dies, especially your child—the child you brought to the world, then all the expectations—that he or she will live longer than you, the hopes for his or her future, for a better life than yours—all is smashed. This is an extremely painful situation. On the other hand, it may become a valuable, effective lesson in humility and in the impermanence of this world.

In 11^th century Tibet there lived a great Teacher—Marpa, the Translator. Three times he made a journey on foot to India and brought from there priceless teachings and texts, many of which we have now only in Tibetan translation and thanks only to him. During many years he taught his eldest son, transmitting his spiritual tradition to him in its entirety, preparing the junior not only for becoming a worthy worldly heir but also an accomplished spiritual successor to his father.

However, one fine morning the young man developed a desire to visit a local country fair. (Yes, they had those even then!) He proceeded to fulfill this desire despite his meditating for months in a solitary retreat, despite the obvious evil omens that accompanied his departure to the fair. On the way back his horse was frightened by something and started to run fast. He was thrown off the horse but his foot somehow got stuck in the bridle. Thus his head was bouncing off the stones of the road all the way home. When he arrived to his father’s castle, his skull was badly damaged. In terrible pain, the young man managed to transfer his consciousness to the body of a pigeon. His body soon departed. (Later on he moved himself from the pigeon’s body to the body of an Indian boy who was dying from a disease, and in a due time became a noted yogi in India.)

Marpa was beside himself with grief. We shall not speak about the mother (who herself was a rather developed yogini)—she was broken and sobbing wildly. The loss of their oldest heir was not a small tragedy for the family. Their disciples, however, were confused. They asked: "For many years now, you have taught us about impermanence of the world, that the world is sam’sara — God’s ever-changing play of the opposites. You also have demonstrated on many occasions your mastery over sam’sara. Why then do you weep and grieve now?" Marpa answered: "For the parent, the death of his child is super-sam’sara."

However difficult it might be, we must learn to see, not to deny, accept and even love the impermanence of the world where we live. We came to this planet not for permanent residence but as guests, not for the pursuit of pleasure and escape from pain but to get to know the Divine essence of this world. However, if you have a suffering or dying child, do not listen to me but merely accept an offer of my compassion and condolences for your pain. May your misfortune become the beginning of your personal unfolding, the blossoming light of which is sure to brighten the world around you sooner or later!

(Finally, as I have previously mentioned, children carry the full burden of all their actions in all their past incarnations, and with interest. The suffering of a child in this life is a "payment" for his or her previous actions. Children are innocent only in the sense that their thoughts are not yet tainted by the adult life.)

— Anatole
(Translated from Russian)