Reconciling homogeneity and reciprocity: understanding Sungsang and Hyungsang in Divine Creation

When addressing the “reciprocal relationship between Sungsang and Hyungsang,” a natural question arises: How can this be reconciled with the “essential homogeneity of Sungsang and Hyungsang”? In the section "Content of the Original Image," it was explained that Sungsang and Hyungsang, as the correlative attributes in God's creation, are essentially homogeneous since they were differentiated and made relative from God’s absolute attribute.

If Sungsang and Hyungsang are essentially homogeneous, then Sungsang is Hyungsang, and Hyungsang is Sungsang. In that case, a doubt might arise as to whether the reciprocal relationship and give-and-receive action between them would be possible.

However, this is considered a misconception that arises from misunderstanding the meaning of essential homogeneity. Essence, like universality, is the opposite concept of contingency or individuality, and homogeneity, like commonality, is the opposite concept of diversity and difference (translated from Korean, as the English snippet does not contain this detail).

Therefore, essential homogeneity is the opposite concept of individual difference. This implies that two concepts that possess essential homogeneity must also possess their individual characteristics. Thus, saying that Sungsang and Hyungsang are essentially homogeneous means that Sungsang and Hyungsang individually possess differences and characteristics. Therefore, even though Sungsang and Hyungsang were differentiated from the absolute attribute and became relative, they assume different attributes in addition to having common aspects; consequently, the reciprocal relationships and give-and-receive action between them are possible.