Ahn Oon-sahn, Tae-sa-bu-nim of Jeung San Do
Why is Jeung San Do called dao (do) rather than religion?
Jeung San Do's teachings are based on the principle of nature. Jeung San Do is the principle of nature, and the principle of nature is Jeung San Do. Expressed in one word, the principle of nature is dao. Dao is principle (li) and qi of "what is so of itself." It is principle that exists of itself; it is qi that exists of itself.
Preceding heaven and earth, dao is the basis of all that exists in the universe. Without dao, all that is in the universe, including humans, could not have been born and could not go on living. Dao is the principle of nature itself; dao is the principle of the universe. Because the truth of Jeung-san Sahng-jeh-nim is dao, we call it Jeung San Do.
What is meant by "This is the time of gae-byuk"?
Some say the end is near, others speak of the end of dharma. Whether it was from knowledge or not, sages in the East and West spoke of the world turning upside down. According to principle, now is the time in which the universe changes from summer to autumn. only once in 129,600 years does this happen. That is how significant this age is. Sahng-jeh-nim called this era "the time of gae-byuk." No matter how great you might be, if you do not meet the right time, all is useless. Throughout the entire 129,600 years of the cosmic year, the greatest work, the most fruitful work, the best work is the work to be done at this time. If there is no fruit in autumn, spring and summer are useless. It is the same for one individual and for the history of humankind?to be born as a human and meet the cosmic autumn, but not to ripen, is useless.
The cultures of every region and locality throughout history were needed for there to be a culture of unity, a culture of fruition, a culture of maturity?a ripened culture. That culture of unity is brought forth by the one, Jeung-san Sahng-jeh-nim. At the time when cosmic summer changes to autumn, the ruling spirit of the universe is born as a human. From the beginning of heaven and earth this was destined to be. Could you tell us about the work of renewing heaven and earth?
Jeung-san Sahng-jeh-nim came to this world, and in the most rational and well thought out way, used the principles of heaven, earth, and humanity to lay a path to a new world. This is what we call the work of renewing heaven and earth (chun-jee-gohng-sa) In short, using the history of humankind as the raw material, he made his ideal of the future become a reality. After attaining enlightenment in 1901, he could see that the greatest barrier to making a good world was the matter of embittered spirits and failed revolutionary spirits. Of all the people born into this world, no one died without bearing bitterness and grief. All people died with bitterness and grief, great or small, because they could not fully accomplish their dreams. When people die, what do they become? After death, the body, which is physical, deteriorates. But, the spirit, which is nonphysical, continues to exist and continues to have the same grief. Heaven and earth are filled with spirits bearing bitterness and grief. If left unresolved, it would be impossible to build a good world. For this reason, Sahng-jeh-nim formed a government of spirits, the Creative Government, by gathering embittered spirits and revolutionary spirits as well as the spirits that developed the world's civilizations, spirits that govern various regions, and spirits that founded family lines. Because this work was so vast, it took nine years to complete, 1901 to 1909. When he finished, he ascended to heaven.
All events, great and small, proceed according to the program of this government of spirits. World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, all such events proceeded exactly according to Sahng-jeh-nim's spiritual work.
100 years have passed since Sahng-jeh-nim began the work in 1901, shin-chook, the Year of the Ox. Since then there have been two great stages of change in the world, and in the future a new world will come through a third and final stage. Just as the principle of the universe gives birth, nurtures, and brings to fruition, the work of renewing heaven and earth also unfolds in three stages.
Only those who know the secrets of the work of renewing heaven and earth can know what the future is going to be. The history of the twentieth century is one of transition?the transition from cosmic summer to cosmic autumn. It is this process of transition that prepares for the opening of a new world by resolving the bitterness and grief accumulated throughout the duration of the Early Heaven.
How can we overcome the destiny of gae-byuk?
The final conclusion of Sahng-jeh-nim's nine-year work of renewing heaven and earth was to convey the authority of ui-tohng (healing and uniting). By this, the seeds of humanity are selected and made possible to pass through to the new world. To overcome the mysterious disease and enter the Later Heaven, you must receive ui-tohng. This is true for people all over the world. This is the work of Jeung San Do. The purpose of Jeung San Do is to save people's lives at the time of gae-byuk, and in doing so, make a new world.
According to Jeung San Do, what kind of era will the twenty-first century be?
The twenty-first century will be the era of cultures uniting and the world becoming one family. We are still in the world of cosmic summer, but in the near future, after gae-byuk, the world of autumn will open. The time of autumn is when heaven and earth succeed, humans succeed, and spirits succeed. The future world is the world in which humans and spirits unite as one. In the future, all people become enlightened by meditating with the Tae-eul Mantra. It will be a good world in which enlightenment is the norm. At that time, the average person will be one hundred . . . one thousand times more enlightened than Shakyamuni Buddha, Jesus, and Confucius. Every house becomes a dojang, and every person becomes a god.
Though you may not believe it now, in the future we will know one another's minds. For example, if a man intends to have an affair with someone else's wife, the woman, her husband, everyone in the world will read his mind. So, according to the framework of such a world, you will not do any wrong, even if you wanted to. It will not be possible to trick anyone. In everyone's home there will be plenty to eat and everyone will have all the clothes they want. The concept of rich and poor will vanish, and it will be, so to speak, the world of immortals on earth.
All the difficult work will be done by machines, and the people who control them will be like captains. In the near future, we will go beyond the civilization of earth to the civilization of the universe.
I will tell you something incredible?in the future, a person who lives long will live for 1,200 years, the average person will live for 900 years, and those who die young will live for 700 years.
In Jeung San Do are there any commandments or specific restrictions? If so, what are they?
In Jeung San Do there are no such rules as "Don't smoke," "Don't drink," "Don't eat meat," or "Cut your family ties." Some say that because there are no restrictions it does not feel like a system of belief. But, for your health and because it can be an obstacle to mediation, we suggest not smoking and not drinking. If there were any commandments, they would be "Do not lie and live virtuously. Never create vengeful energy and always be good." This is the extent of Jeung San Do's rules to live by.
The height of religious culture is the culture of living life. A mature culture allows people to live in comfort. A culture that restricts people is transient. In the end, people will abandon religions that do not help them live life.
Jeung San Do is the culture of living life that gives utmost comfort to people. It is such a good teaching that no matter how long and how many people live in its culture, no one will feel uncomfortable.
We called it Jeung San Do, but Jeung San Do is actually the principle of nature of itself. No better truth can exist in the future. Jeung San Do is the culture of fruition and unity.
What is the significance of Tae-eul Mantra meditation? Many people have experienced the marvelous power of the Tae-eul Mantra. What kind of power does this mantra have?
Hoom-chee Hoom-chee Tae-eul-chun Sahng-wun-goon
Hoom-nee-chee-ya-doh-rae Hoom-nee-hahm-nee-sa-pa-ha
This is the Tae-eul Mantra. In short, this mantra is a life-giving nectar for humanity. Or it can be likened to oxygen for living things. This mantra makes us one with nature and cultivates dao within us.
I myself chanted the Tae-eul Mantra from an early age. When I was twelve, I chanted intensively for one week. At that time, I gained cho-tohng (first enlightenment), and experienced the miracle of the Tae-eul Mantra. When you chant it many times with a virtuous mind, your bright spirit opens. You come to know every affair in the whole world, and your mind and body become healthy. In this world, there is no mantra better than the Tae-eul Mantra.
By chanting the Tae-eul Mantra and having a lot of its qi in your body, you can escape accidents and disaster. For example, though you get in a car accident in which death seems certain, incredibly you survive. In Jeung San Do, not just one or two people have experienced this, many have.
Tae-eul-chun Sahng-wun-goon is the root ancestor of the entire human race. Chanting the Tae-eul Mantra is like calling out to the parents of heaven and earth. The root of your life is first your parents, then your ancestors, and originally Tae-eul-chun Sahng-wun-goon.
No one can get through to the other world without chanting the Tae-eul Mantra. Because this is the time of gae-byuk and returning to the origin, if you deny your roots, your parents, and your ancestors, there is no way to survive. This mantra is the mother's milk that nurtures the world of immortals. It is a lifeline for humanity. The conclusion of Sahng-jeh-nim's nine-year work of renewal is ui-tohng, and ui-tohng is the manifestation of the Tae-eul Mantra's qi.
In the end, the world will be judged by the mysterious disease. Perhaps I should not say this, but people will die while coming or going, people will die while standing, people will die while eating. Such a mysterious disease will occur. About the magnitude of how the disease will spread, Sahng-jeh-nim said, "It will come like a torrent." It will turn the world upside down for three years.
Then, why will there be such a disease? It will happen because during the last cosmic spring and summer, humans have accumulated too much bitterness and grief. In the process of resolving the iniquities of the past, an abscess of festering bitterness and grief bursts. Like this, the mysterious disease bursts out.
One more thing?there will be a great disaster. What is the borderline between cosmic summer and cosmic autumn? It is the upright shift of the earth's axis. As you know well, the earth's axis leans about 23.5 degrees to the east. When gae-byuk happens, turning cosmic summer into autumn, this leaning pole shifts upright. This will not happen gradually. It will happen suddenly.
At that time, more than half of Japan will sink into the sea, and places like L.A. and New York will fall into the water. on the other hand, new land will rise up from the ocean, forming new continents.
There is no way to stop this from happening. Whether people want it or not, because gae-byuk is the principle of nature, when the time comes
it will happen. In this world of gae-byuk, by the truth in which we save ourselves, shouldn't we also save our families and others? Let's all live. This is what Sahng-jeh-nim called mutual life-giving.
Part I
The Teachings
THE CREATIVE PRINCIPLE
1 Release, dispersion, spirit, and tao work in unity.
The ch’i (qi) of spring is release (放). The ch’i of summer is dispersion (蕩). The ch’i of autumn is spirit (神). The ch’i of winter is tao (道). The four seasons change life by means of ch’i.Sahng-jeh-nim
2 I use the four-fold principle: birth, growth, harvest, and rest. This is the way of change through non-action (無爲以化). If heaven deviates from this principle, nothing can exist. Sahng-jeh-nim
3 The principle of heaven and earth lies in change (易).1 Sahng-jeh-nim
4 I Ching (周易, The Book of Changes) is the book to be used at the time of gae-byuk.2 If you read I Ching, you will know my work. Sahng-jeh-nim
5 元亨利貞道日月 照人臟腑通明明 The fundamental spirit of heaven and earth That nurtures all beings Is origination, proliferation, benefit, and firmness. The way of change in heaven and earth Lies in the movement of sun and moon. Sun and moon illuminate the human body. The human is indeed a bright being With the brilliant light of the universe. Sahng-jeh-nim
6 日月無私治萬物 江山有道受百行 Sun and moon rule all things without prejudice.Rivers and mountains embrace them with tao. Sahng-jeh-nim
7 Those who have studied the matter say the directions3 are about to change. But who in the world knows I have changed the direction of heaven and earth? Sahng-jeh-nim
8 There is gae-byuk for the Early Heaven,4 there is gae-byuk for the Later Heaven.5 Those who trace the past will know what is to happen in the future. Tae-mo-nim
9 Water, fire, metal, and wood will come to life, having waited for the proper time. Because water will be born from fire, there will be no more reason for conflict. Sahng-jeh-nim
THE LATER HEAVEN
10 The world is approaching the beginning of autumn’s destiny.
Sahng-jeh-nim
11 文明開化三千國 道術運通九萬里 The autumnal civilization of paradise
Will bloom in three thousand nations. The great fortune of this enlightened civilization Will extend to the ends of the universe. Sahng-jeh-nim
12 I send off the way of darkness and bring forth the way of brightness. Just wait and see. What you find in the morning will be different from that you saw the day before. Every day and every year will be new and different. The world will teach you everything. When the clouds disappear and the storms cease, there will be a world in which seeing each other is a pleasure. Everyone will admire and love one another. Sahng-jeh-nim
13 In the coming new world of the Later Heaven, all nations will be at peace. Agony, grief, conflict, violence, greed, lust, anger, and all worries will come to an end. All conversations and laughter will overflow with the ch’i of harmony. Movement and stillness as well as speech and silence will be in harmony with tao and virtue (德). Everyone will live long without aging, and inequality of wealth will be eliminated. There will appear in everyone’s home as much deli-cious food and fine clothing as desired. Everything will correspond to free will, and spirits will be at your service. Riding carriages through the clouds, people will travel above rough ground to faraway places. Heaven will be low enough for people to ascend and descend freely. Wisdom will be opened to you so that you will become completely aware of the worlds of the past, present, and future and the worlds of the ten directions.6 The suffering caused by flood, fire, and typhoon will disappear, and the world will be transformed into a beautiful paradise with clear skies and auspicious ch’i.
Sahng-jeh-nim
14 The Early Heaven has been the time of conquerors in which people have lived by doing wrong. In the new world of the Later Heaven, the age of sages, people will live by doing good. In the Early Heaven, people have lived in rigidity. In the new world, people will live in laughter.
Sahng-jeh-nim
15 In the Later Heaven, spirits and humans become one. People will live long without aging, clearly see their previous, present, and future lives, and realize their potential.
Sahng-jeh-nim
16 In the Later Heaven, people who live long will live 1,200 years, the average will live 900 years, and those who die early will live 700 years.
Tae-mo-nim
17 In the Later Heaven, all things harmful to humans will disappear.
Sahng-jeh-nim
18 Heaven is an empty shell. The hollow realm called heaven has been high for no particular reason. In the coming world, it will be brought down to the height of humans. Sahng-jeh-nim
19 The Early Heaven is the time of heaven, earth, misfortune (? 否).7 The Later Heaven is the time of earth, heaven, peace (? 泰).8 Heaven has been highly revered and earth has not. People have been unaware of earth’s great virtue. From now on, it will be proper to hold heaven and earth in equal esteem, as one. Sahng-jeh-nim
20 In ancient times, holy sages established the basis of civilization. By being both a sage and a hero, one leader could edify and govern. Later, when sageness and heroism were no longer united, governing and edification were divided and both split into many branches. Because of this, true dharma could not be found. In the future, sovereign and teacher will be one through returning to the origin.9 sahng-jeh-nim
21 When I come forth in the world, a center with 360,000 rooms decorated with jewels and precious metals10 will be built. According to their accomplishments, each of those doing my work will be given appropriate places. Spirits will provide them with clothes and food. If there are those who sit where they do not belong, spirits will take them by the neck and throw them out.
Remember my face well. I will be so radiant when I come forth it will be difficult to look at me. Since ancient times, people have spoken of immortals, yet no one has seen them. You will see them in the future.
Sahng-jeh-nim
22 In the Later Heaven, the world will become one family. There will be no need for force or punishment. Realizing their own wrongdoings, people will be governed through creative change (造化). Governing officials of every rank will have authority and spiritual power equal to their tasks, and they will not abuse their positions. Aging, disease, death, and burial will be defeated. Free of aging and illness, you will live a long life filled with bliss. Your body will be transformed. You will be larger and resplendent. In the times to come, you will travel from place to place in an instant. Sahng-jeh-nim
23 All languages, manners, and customs will be unified, and discri-mination among races will end. Sahng-jeh-nim
24 Because all tribes formed distinct cultures from their unique ex-periences, encounters between them led to great disputes. I am laying the foundation of the culture of the coming new world by bringing together the essence of every culture. Sahng-jeh-nim
25 A disciple asked, “When the day of enlightenment comes, will we be able to speak all languages of the world?” Sahng-jeh-nim replied, “Of course, why wouldn’t you be able to?”
26 A heavenly relationship11 runs deeper than any other human re-lationship. With such a relationship, the universe will become one family.
Sahng-jeh-nim
27 One day a man asked about a prophecy that said a new kingdom would be founded on Chicken Dragon Mountain.12 Sahng-jeh-nim answered, “East and West will unite as one. What use would there be in founding a kingdom on Chicken Dragon Mountain?” The man inquired further, “How can unity be possible when people speak different languages?” Sahng-jeh-nim replied, “In the future, language will be unified.”
28 When the water ch’i in heaven and earth starts to circulate,13 all people in the world will be able to communicate with one another without having to study languages. At that time a crashing sound will be heard.
Sahng-jeh-nim
29 Since undertaking the work of renewing heaven and earth (天地公事, chun-jee-gohng-sa), I have taken charge of the annual yield of crops and have sent the spirits of starvation to heaven. In the future there will be no death due to starvation.In the Later Heaven, there will be no one unable to have children. Also, there will be one wealthy person in each province, and all others will be equal in wealth; thereby, poverty will be eliminated. Sahng-jeh-nim
30 During the Early Heaven, longevity has been put above blessings and wealth. But I put blessings and wealth above longevity. In the Later Heaven, there will be no beggars. Sahng-jeh-nim
31 Confucius14 led seventy-two people to enlightenment and Sakyamuni Buddha15 led five hundred. With varying degrees, I will enlighten the minds of all people so that they will understand the purpose of their lives. A man will not desire another’s wife, and a woman will not desire another’s husband. No one will pick up the lost belongings of others from the ground, and the mountains will be free of bandits. Sahng-jeh-nim
32 Following enlightenment, the power of my spirit16 will be be-stowed. Those who receive it will only have to touch, glance at, or speak to the sick to heal them. Sahng-jeh-nim
33 I am restructuring heaven and earth to open a new world. I will judge what is good and bad in this world and then establish the boundless destiny of the Later Heaven. Strive to be just and to have one mind (一心, il-shim).17 Seek the great blessing that will last for thousands of generations. This is the time heaven and earth fulfill their purpose. Following my command, with the justice of autumn the spirits of heaven and earth will purge the unjust and incon-spicuously assist the virtuous. The corrupt will fall and decay like autumn leaves. The true will be like autumn’s ripening fruit. All life is to be renewed and all blessings are to begin again.Sahng-jeh-nim
SAHNG-JEH-NIM’S WORK
OF RENEWING HEAVEN AND EARTH
(天地公事, chun-jee-gohng-sa)
34 In this last stage of the Early Heaven, the height of disorder, heaven and earth will be renewed and a new world opened. Humans and spirits will be saved from the age of misfortune and finally enjoy peace and comfort. This is the gae-byuk of heaven and earth. It is not merely a continuation of what has been, nor is it tied to the flow of world affairs. I am the first to undertake such work. If you depend on your parents’ wealth, you must read their faces before asking for something. If you stay in a dilapidated house, you live in fear that it will collapse one day. If you use things that others have made or that are worn out, you use them with uneasiness and anxiety. Thus it is best to create an entirely new framework. Sahng-jeh-nim
35 Only when all the bitterness that has accumulated since ancient times and all tragedies resulting from it are resolved, will everlasting peace be attained. Throughout the age of the Early Heaven, because human affairs have been governed by the principle of mutual conflict (相克, sahng-geuk),18 they have gone against justice. The accumu-lation of bitterness and grief19 has been flooding the three realms of the universe. The lethal ch’i from this is bursting out into the world, creating horrible disasters. This is why the order of heaven and earth has to be remade. First the bitterness that has grown throughout history must be resolved by rectifying the world of spirits. Then a new world can be opened through the tao of mutual life-giving (相生, sahng-saeng).20 After the Creative Government21 has been established, people will be governed through non-action and taught without words. In this way the world will be set right. Sahng-jeh-nim
GAE-BYUK, THE GREAT CHANGE
LEADING INTO COSMIC AUTUMN
36 In the winter of 1901 (D.G. 31)22 Jeung-sahn Sahng-jeh-nim opened wide the great gate of the spiritual world. For nine years he did the work of renewing heaven and earth. He spoke of the times humanity faced. He said, “The whole world is now facing the time of gae-byuk. In the Later Heaven, all changes will lead back to unity. I am renewing heaven and earth and opening the limitless destiny of the Later Heaven. I will build the boundless paradise that has been called Dragon Flower (龍華).”23 He also said, “This is the time when heaven and earth fulfill their purpose, the time to decide to live or die.”
37 I know you are all waiting with such anticipation. The opening of the new world will take place in the wink of an eye. When it comes around, it will happen that quickly. The day will arrive only when heaven and earth are willing. It will arrive at a specific time. Just as a baby comes out of the mother’s womb after nine months, the new beginning of heaven and earth will occur only when the time is right. Sahng-jeh-nim
38 One day Sahng-jeh-nim said to little Ho-yun,24 “When gae-byuk takes place, mountains will be turned upside down, and the ground will split open. It will be a truly horrifying scene. People will be caught underneath the rubble of overturned mountains and fall into the gaping holes of the splitting ground. The world will be in disarray, and there will be no safe place to go. When you return to where a house was standing just the day before, you will find a mountain.”
39 Japan will be struck with fire and the West with water. When struck with fire, the mountains and fields will become red. Even though children are dear to their parents, there will be no time for parents to rescue them. In the future, most of Japan will fall into the sea, and the Western world will be like a great dam. Sahng-jeh-nim
40 Those whose five organs are not balanced25 will die as they twist like millet stalks, and those who habitually lie will die as their gall bladders rupture. Even if you have never erred, you must not let your guard down for even a moment. Act as though you have often done wrong. Not all children will live. Even my children would need blessings to survive. Sahng-jeh-nim
41 Those who have wealth, authority, and power are engulfed in vengeful energy. They will be plucked like bean sprouts. Sahng-jeh-nim
42 It is better not to know anything. Those who know what the future holds in store cannot bear the intense grief when contem-plating the fate of the multitudes. Humanity is on the verge of being completely destroyed. Yet, in their ignorance, people are still obsessed with profit. How dismaying this is. Sahng-jeh-nim
43 Referring to the time of gae-byuk, someone once wrote, “For every one hundred ancestors, only one descendant survives.” About this, Sahng-jeh-nim said, “When the autumn wind blows, leaves fall and fruit ripens. Now is the time to choose between life and death.”
44 Now is the time for heaven and earth to achieve their purpose. The West Spirit26 takes charge of the mission, governs all beings, and for the great accomplishment, gathers all enlightened knowledge. This is gae-byuk. Some things come to fruition with the autumn wind and others wither and fall. The truthful will bear great fruit and gain everlasting life, the false will shrivel up and suffer eternal death. The spirits’ authority to purge injustice will be wielded, and the virtuous will be helped with love and concern. Strive to seek life and good fortune. Sahng-jeh-nim
45 Sahng-jeh-nim said, “All the Early Heaven’s bad karma along with the bitterness, grief, and vengeance of spirits create diseases in the world that will develop into a mysterious disease.27 There has been no illness of such magnitude in spring and summer. When the season changes to autumn, the karma of the prior two seasons’ crimes will give rise to the disease.” on another occasion, he said, “Heaven and earth are now approaching the great autumn. As heaven and earth, which have raised all things, face the fortune of autumn, the bad karma of the Early Heaven will give rise to great turmoil and create a catastrophic disease. Following the turmoil, the disease will overtake the entire world. It cannot be avoided nor cured with any known medicine.”
46 There will come a time when it will be difficult to see a single person in ten li.28 When the ultimate ch’i circulates, people around the world will fall over like bean sprouts. When the time comes and the mysterious disease sweeps over the entire world, people sitting quietly will just fall over as their eyes shut.Sahng-jeh-nim
47 In the future, many countries will devote all their ability to fighting wars. The country with the greatest skill will rule over the others. Afterward, the mysterious disease will arrive. It will cause great disarray in the world. Who will find a cure that will save the human race from extinction? It will not be possible to match the weapons of the West, so turn away from warfare and learn the unifying healing (醫統, ui-tohng).29 Saving many lives will bring the thread of gratitude, which will give you eternal blessings. Sahng-jeh- nim
48 A disciple asked, “Do you mean there is no remedy in the entire world for this catastrophic disease?” Sahng-jeh-nim replied, “Should there be one with a remedy, that person will die ahead of the others when it strikes. When it breaks out, all the medical science in the world will become useless. There is, however, no principle of total extinction. The immortals, buddhas, and holy sages in heaven pleaded, ‘Please descend to the world and save the human race from disease and death.’ Because of their sincerity, I came. I will open a new world of immortal life that will last for thousands of generations. Those who follow me will come away alive from this great calamity.”
49 Traditionally, women have said in hatred, “Die a sudden death!” This refers to the disease of sudden death. Day and night, without rest, wearing out three pairs of shoes and stepping over corpses, you will save the sick among the dead. In such time of urgency, who will not believe in me? Whenever you go to a marketplace or to a gath-ering, think to yourselves, “They will live and prosper, if they believe in Sahng-jeh-nim.” You have virtue despite their unawareness. Sahng-jeh-nim
50 At the time of gae-byuk, all spirits in heaven and earth will come together hand in hand and follow my orders. When the disease strikes, you will hear the echoing cries of humanity calling out to you to be rescued. The stench of rotting bodies will spread throughout the world, making it difficult for even one with a strong stomach to eat a spoonful of rice. Sahng-jeh-nim
51 I had intended to balance the uneven state of things between East and West by inducing warfare, but the match is extremely uneven. It would be difficult for the East to compete. It is through a disease that I will balance things. Of all disasters, disease is the severest. I will settle all wars in the East and West through a disease. When this catastrophic disease breaks out, a mole will not be able to dig a hole in the ground, nor will a swallow be able to fly. Sahng-jeh-nim
52 A disciple asked Sahng-jeh-nim, “When the mysterious disease attacks the world, where will it strike first?” He replied, “It will attack Jo-sun (Choson).30 This is because the way of saving people from this catastrophic disease is in Jo-sun. In the coming days, after it breaks out in Gwahng-ju and Na-ju, the province of South Jul-la will be a land of dead fish. After it breaks out in Goon-sahn, the province of North Jul-la will also be a land of dead fish. After it hits In-chun, the entire world will be in the same horrible state. After this plague breaks out in Goon-sahn, it will spread in circles for seven days and then leap toward the northwest. By that time, the situation will have become desperate. It will attack Jo-sun for forty-nine days and then spread across the entire world for three years.”
53 In the coming days, when the mysterious disease takes over, people will die in their sleep, during their meals, or even while they are walking. There will be no one to tie the dead bodies. They will be heaved with pitchforks for disposal. No one will have time to put their shoes on properly. When the catastrophe of the disease arrives, it will strike the pharmacies and the hospitals ahead of all other places. The whole of humanity will come to the brink of annihilation. What could possibly help you to survive? Do not look for precious medicine but take care to know the unifying healing with sincerity, attentiveness, and faithfulness.
Sahng-jeh-nim
54 Because nothing will counter the destructive power of Western weaponry, war will be ended. Distance yourself from the art of killing and the study of war. Though it does not look so powerful, try to know the unifying healing. If you save many people, the thread of gratitude will come to you, and you will gain everlasting prosperity. Sahng-jeh-nim
55 A disciple asked, “Why will the disease not strike the practitioners of tao who follow you?” Sahng-jeh-nim replied, “Because the spirits of the disease will come following a heavenly mandate, they will not dare strike the practitioners. When the disease strikes, you will save the human race. As you do this, the people of the world will receive your teaching and find guidance in you. The uniting of the world lies in the midst of the disease. In its midst, the great tao of heaven and earth is carried out, and generation after generation of prosperity and comfort will begin.”
MANTRAS FOR HEALING, SPIRITUAL POWER,
AND ENLIGHTENMENT
56 One day in 1908 (D.G. 38) Sahng-jeh-nim came to Ahn Nae-sung’s31 house and said to him, “Offer a feast to heaven and earth today.”
Nae-sung discussed this with his mother, and they prepared three tables of food. Sahng-jeh-nim, who ate at the middle table, said, “Make an offering of three hundred nyahng.”32 Nae-sung, who was very poor, asked his mother, “Mother, my teacher has requested an offering of three hundred nyahng, but I do not have a single coin. What will I do?” “We do not have such a large sum,” his mother replied, “but I have been saving some money in that pot. Take it out and count it.” Nae-sung took out the money and found only three hundred nip.33 He reported to Sahng-jeh-nim, “All I have is three hundred nip.” Sahng-jeh-nim replied, “I will use it in place of the three hundred nyahng. Bring it to me quickly.” Jeung-sahn Sahng-jeh-nim then taught him the Tae-eul Mantra and said, Receive this mantra. It contains all the blessings, wealth, and longevity in the world.” He then said emphatically, “Nae-sung, do not move from this spot for three years. For three years, sit at this very spot and chant the Tae-eul Mantra. This is the mantra to be used at the time of gae-byuk.”
57 One day Sahng-jeh-nim wrote out the verses of the Tae-eul Mantra (太乙呪) as follows:
Hoom-chee Hoom-chee Tae-eul-chun Sahng-wun-goon Hoom-nee-chee-ya-doh-rae Hoom-nee-hahm-nee-sa-pa-ha
Having written the mantra, he asked his disciples, “What does the shape remind you of?” Gim Gahp-chil replied, “It reminds me of a spoon.”
Sahng-jeh-nim then said, “I will mix East and West like a bowl of rice and seasoned vegetables.34 You will eat it with this spoon.” He continued, “Having the shape of a spoon, it is the mark of wealth (祿, nohk).35 When this mark is posted on your houses, the spirits of the mysterious disease will recognize them as houses of tao and will refrain from entering.”
58 One day Sahng-jeh-nim told his disciples, “The Shee-chun-ju Mantra (侍天主呪),36 taught by Chey Su-oon,37 contains fifty years of study in spreading truth. Also, Gim Gyung-heun received the Tae-eul Mantra after fifty years of study and practice.38 The spirit who brought it to him said, ‘This mantra will save many people.’ In this age of spirits, which of the two mantras, both containing fifty years of study, do you think should be used?” Gim Gwahng-chahn39 replied, “Please do as you see fit.” Sahng-jeh-nim said, “Since the Shee-chun-ju Mantra has already been utilized, use the Tae-eul Mantra. Add the verse Hoom-chee Hoom-chee to the mantra and chant it.” Sahng-jeh-nim added the two lines of Hoom-chee to it, making it look like a spoon.
59 Hoom-chee is the sound calling the parents of all things in heaven and earth. It is the sound of humanity calling out to the Lord of Heaven like a calf calling out to its mother. There is a saying, “To live, you must suckle four teats well.” It means one cannot live outside the boundary of the Lord of Heaven. The Tae-eul Mantra is medicine. Shen Nung40 saved lives by tasting a hundred herbs and making medicine. Throughout the world, we will save lives with our mouths by chanting mantras. Sahng-jeh-nim
60 Sleep less and chant the Tae-eul Mantra. For fifty thousand years, the king of heaven will be chanted in the schools of every community.
Sahng-jeh-nim
61 Tae-mo-nim said to Go Min-hwahn,41 “One needs to understand the basic meaning of each mantra for its power to work properly. Contemplate each mantra and then explain their meanings.” Min-hwahn wrote the result of his contemplation and presented it to Tae-mo-nim. She praised him, “Well done,” and said, “Explain this to the others, so they may also understand.” This is what Min-hwahn had written:
The Tae-eul Mantra calms the mind, spirit, heavenly soul, and earthly soul. It allows communication with the Holy Spirit, enables us to master the way of spirits, and saves human life.The Shee-chun-ju Mantra is the fundamental mantra of the great tao of the boundless (無極大道). With this mantra, one can receive heavenly mandates. Through it, one reveres and serves Sahng-jeh-nim like one’s own parent. Through the Jin-aek Mantra (津液呪),42 people throughout the world can have longevity and everlasting blessings and wealth. The Gwahn-sung Mantra (關聖呪)43 brings peace through removing wickedness and expelling all kinds of demons. The Chil-sung-gyung Mantra (七星經) brings blessings and defeats misfortune. It allows one to have a healthy body and eternal life.
62 I have tested the Tae-eul Mantra and the Oon-jahng Mantra. Chant them many times. The Tae-eul Mantra will open the prison gate, even if you have committed treason, and the Oon-jahng Mantra will open the prison gate, even if you are convicted of murder. Sahng-jeh-nim
63 In the spring of 1909 (D.G. 39), Sahng-jeh-nim wrote the words of the Oon-jahng Mantra for the disciples and said, “This is the great power-giving mantra.”
Oon-jahng Mantra (雲長呪)
天 下 英 雄 關 雲 長 依 幕 處
Chun-ha-yung-oong Gwahn-oon-jahng Ui-mahk-chuh
謹 請 天 地 八 位 諸 將
Geun-chung Chun-jee-pahl-wee-jeh-jahng
六 丁 六 甲 六 丙 六 乙
Yook-jung-yook-gahp Yook-byung-yook-eul
所 率 諸 將 一 別 屛 營 邪 鬼
So-sohl-jeh-jahng Il-byul-byung-yung-sa-gwee
口奄 口奄 口急 口急 如 律 令 娑 婆 訶
Um-um-geup-geup Yuh-yool-ryung Sa-pa-ha
64 Sahng-jeh-nim told the disciples about King Yao’s44 observation of the movement of the sun, moon, and stars and how the king had used this knowledge to teach farmers about seasonal changes. After telling the story, Sahng-jeh-nim taught the Oh Mantra to the disciples and said, “These words are the true essence of heaven and earth.” He added, “My work is hidden in the songs of Su-oon. Your work is hidden in the Oh Mantra.”
Oh Mantra (五呪)
新 天 地 家 家 長 世 日 月 日 月 萬 事 知
Shin-chun-jee Ga-ga-jahng-seh Il-wul-Il-wul Mahn-sa-jee
侍 天 主 造 化 定 永 世 不 忘 萬 事 知
Shee-chun-ju Jo-hwa-jung Yung-seh-bool-mahng Mahn-sa-jee
福 祿 誠 敬 信 壽 命 誠 敬 信
Bohng-nohk-sung-gyung-shin Su-myung-sung-gyung-shin
至 氣 今 至 願 爲 大 降
Jee-ghee-geum-jee-wun-wee-dae-gahng
明 德 觀 音 八 陰 八 陽
Myung-duk Gwahn-eum Pahl-eum-pahl-yahng
至 氣 今 至 願 爲 大 降
Jee-ghee-geum-jee-wun-wee-dae-gahng
三 界 解 魔 大 帝 神 位
Sahm-gyeh-hae-ma-dae-jeh-shin-wee
願 天 尊 關 聖 帝 君
Wun-jin-chun-joan-gwahn Sung-jeh-goon
65 Any mantra is good if you chant it with faith. A woman who grieved over her lost chance of marriage visited an old couple in the neighborhood who were meditators and asked them for a mantra. Be-cause the couple had just been quarreling and were very agitated, the husband simply said, “I don’t like anything.” The woman thought this was a mantra and chanted it ceaselessly, even while sitting or lying down. Her family was annoyed by this. one day she was carrying a large jar of water on her head while chanting. Exasperated, her father struck the jar with a flail, and though the jar fell on rocks, it did not break and the water did not spill. Sahng-jeh-nim
MEDITATION
66 If you train yourself well, you too will be able to do all things at will.
Sahng-jeh-nim
67 Since ancient times, people have spoken of inborn knowledge. There is no such thing. Even for heaven and earth with their creative power, it takes infinite dedication to cause wind or rain. There is no way to know without studying.45
Sahng-jeh-nim
68 For those who practice tao diligently, the essence of their souls will become densely concentrated. When they ascend to heaven after death, the essence of their souls will never disperse. For those who do not practice tao, the essence of their souls will eventually dissipate into nothingness like smoke.
Sahng-jeh-nim
69 The correct way to chant a mantra is to set your mind right, sit up properly, and dedicate yourself with sincerity, attentiveness, and faithfulness. If during meditation your body shakes and you enter a false spiritual state, impure thoughts and vengeful energy (戚, chuk)46 have remained within you. If you begin your study without understanding the correct method, you fall into the darkness of confusing dharma. Sahng-jeh-nim
70 天是天非修道道 不求俗地得長生
Do not say heaven is right or wrong. Just say, “I will cultivate myself and study tao.” Give up worldly desires And find the way of eternal life.47
71 Study hard and practice well. If you do not practice tao and just wait for the time of enlightenment, when it comes, your bones will twist.
Sahng-jeh-nim
72 Tae-mo-nim scolded her disciples, “You rascals, what good is it if you don’t cultivate your minds and simply open your mouths and make loud noises like frogs?”
73 If you want to see something, see it. once you have seen it thoroughly, do not hold it in your mind. If what you have seen and heard lingers in your mind, it becomes like food stuck in your bowels.
Sahng-jeh-nim
74 There was a man who spent three years away from home in meditation. on his journey back, he intuitively knew the name of every stranger he met and addressed each one accordingly. By the time he got home, he had lost whatever awakening he had gained, and his mind became dark again. Sahng-jeh-nim
75 People speak with one another without knowing each other’s minds. To master the writing of the heavens, one must know how yin and yang interact throughout the four seasons. To master the principles of earth, one must understand how an abundant harvest of hundreds of crops is produced. To master the nature of humans, one must know the principle by which all things are born and mature. Without knowing the minds of others, attaining harmony among people is most difficult. Tae-mo-nim
76 In the Early Heaven, the great tao has been to lead humanity beyond the level of beasts. From now on, it is the great tao of knowing the mind. once we know each other’s minds, haven’t we reached a paradise of harmony? This is the study of cultivating the mind. Without delay, study to enlighten your mind. Without an enlightened mind, how can you accomplish anything? Tae-mo-nim
77 Sahng-jeh-nim said, “I called a spirit of Bu-ahn County, but it did not respond. This was because Shin Wun-il48 was meditating, and the local spirits guarding him would not leave his side. Seeing this, how can one neglect to meditate?”
ENLIGHTENMENT
78 One day Sahng-jeh-nim summoned Gim Hyung-yul and said, “Since you have persisted in asking me to endow you with enlighten-ment, I will grant it to you today.” Immediately, the boundaries of the three realms49 became visible to Hyung-yul, and his past, present, and future lives50 were illuminated. The majestic brightness of the universe in oneness was opened to his eyes, and the minds of all people in the world appeared to him. The principles of all things became clear, and everything in the universe unfolded before him. He traveled to the West and soared through the sky like a bird. He freely controlled the wind and the rain and transformed or concealed himself at will. Heaven and earth became one with his mind, and he used the full power of the three teachings.51 There was nothing beyond his knowledge and capability. Hyung-yul experienced ulti-mate joy. A few days later Sahng-jeh-nim said, “I will now withdraw it.” As soon as he said this, the bright energy disappeared, leaving Hyung-yul only the ability to see the coming and going of spirits and some ability to communicate with them.
79 Upon attaining enlightenment, keep it to yourself and act as though nothing has occurred. Should you boast and reveal secrets, heaven will take it away. If, thinking you know something, you unscrupulously reveal it to the world and act against heaven’s prin-ciples, you will be punished by spirits for minor transgressions and by heaven for major transgressions.Sahng-jeh-nim
80 There are three levels in the study of my tao. At the upper level, people will be able to conduct all matters at will. At the middle level, people will have the ability, though limited, to change human affairs. At the lower level, people will possess the knowledge of all things, but will not have the ability to change human affairs. In the past, there were those who possessed the knowledge of all things, but could not change human affairs. They could not bring anything about at will. In the coming world, people will naturally be aware of their roles, so that they can carry them out. Sahng-jeh-nim
81 Cultivate tao with sincerity, attentiveness, and faithfulness. Those of superior endowment will heal the sick simply by looking at them.
Those of average endowment will heal by touching the sick with their hands. Those of low endowment will heal by chanting mantras. Sahng-jeh-nim
82 On the day the seeds of enlightenment are sown, those on the highest level will take seven days, the middle level fourteen days, and the lower level twenty-one days to attain enlightenment. Feed-ing too much to one with a small stomach will cause death as the stomach ruptures. Feeding too little to one with a large stomach will cause starvation. Enlightenment will be given to everyone according to their capacities. Sahng-jeh-nim
83 One day Bahk Gohng-ooh52 pleaded, “Please grant me enlighten-ment.” Sahng-jeh-nim scolded him, “What are you saying? In heaven there is a council containing one representative for each family name. If enlightenment is granted to one person now, these ancestral spirits will gather and criticize the unfairness. I cannot be swayed by personal preference. All will attain enlightenment simultaneously, according to the degree of their cultivation. Outside the mainstream of world affairs, I will plant the seed of enlightenment. This seed will sprout and eventually cover the whole world.”
CULTIVATING BODY AND MIND
84 一身收拾 重千金
頃刻安危 在處心
Taking care of your body
Is of more value than a thousand gold coins.
A moment’s security or danger
Depends on how you direct your mind.
潛心之下 道德存焉
反掌之間 兵法在焉
Within a tranquil mind rest tao and virtue.
There is a strategy even in the turning of a hand.
Sahng-jeh-nim
85 To study for the great work, one has to defeat sleep, demons, and vengeful spirits. Also, be aware of the direction of the door of life. The door of death is the mouth and the door of life is the anus. Learn to regulate the body’s primary organs.53 How will you do the work of heaven and earth, if you do not know your own body?54 That small heaven and earth is the great heaven and earth.
Tae-mo-nim
86 To renew yourself, you should master your primary organs.
Tae-mo-nim
87 Though it entails hardship, it is better to extend life eternally rather than lose it to momentary pleasure.
Sahng-jeh-nim
88 To obtain the ch’i of life in this turbulent and corrupt world, set your mind right, purify your ch’i, practice tao in earnest, and bring yourself to a state of peace. For those who are overcome with the five desires55 and unable to free themselves from the anguish caused by them, it will be difficult to survive. Their bones will twist when the Jade-Hinged Gate (玉樞門)56 opens.
Sahng-jeh-nim
89 知天下之勢者 有天下之生氣
暗天下之勢者 有天下之死氣
Those aware of the flow of the world have the ch’i of life.
Those ignorant of the flow of the world have the ch’i of death.
Sahng-jeh-nim
90 Sahng-jeh-nim and Bahk Gohng-ooh were passing through Tae-in when Gohng-ooh noticed a beautiful woman who was walking along the road. For the sake of propriety, he did not look directly at her, yet her image remained in his mind. Sahng-jeh-nim was aware of this and said, “Men wear out their essence with such desire. From now on, look thoroughly at the women you meet and do not hold them in your mind.”
Gohng-ooh understood. From then on, whenever he saw a woman, he did as Sahng-jeh-nim had told him, and no desire arose in his mind.
THE UPHOLDING-HEAVEN-AND-CARESSING-
THE-EARTH BOW
91 During a chee-sung (致誠, ‘ritual’), you should do the upholding-heaven-and-caressing-the-earth bow.57 It signifies uniting the virtue of heaven, earth, and humanity. Sahng-jeh-nim
92 In Jun-ju, Gim Suk was initiated into Sahng-jeh-nim’s tao. Sahng-jeh-nim positioned disciples Gwahng-chahn and Hyung-yul at Suk’s left and right. He placed a bowl of fresh water in front of them and had them all do the upholding-heaven-and-caressing-the-earth bow four times. He had the two disciples chant the Tae-eul Mantra twenty-one times like chanting monks and then had Suk do the same.
PRAYER
93 When you who believe in me pray to me, speak in your mind.
For everyone, there is a personal story that cannot be told to another and must not be overheard. Pray with one mind without leaving out or hiding anything.
Sahng-jeh-nim
94 In the winter, while carrying a pail of water, Bahk Gohng-ooh’s wife slipped on an icy road and seriously injured her lower back and legs. Unable to move about, she was bedridden. Gohng-ooh was deeply worried. In the direction of where Sahng-jeh-nim was staying, he offered a bowl of fresh water and prayed fervently for her recovery. It was not long before his wife’s injuries completely healed. When Gohng-ooh saw Sahng-jeh-nim later, Sahng-jeh-nim said with a smile, “You worried so much about your wife’s condition.”
95 Ahn Pil-sung was on his way back from meeting a town official in Hahm-yul County when he stopped at an inn to have some rice wine and to rest. When he later reached his home, he realized he had left his pipe and tobacco pouch at the inn. With no alternative, he sat without smoking his pipe. Finally, his yearning for the pipe, which he had left twenty li back, became unbearable. At that moment, he recalled what Sahng-jeh-nim had often told him, “If you have a special request to ask of me, put a bowl of fresh water on a straw mat or a sheet of white paper. Then call out to me three times and pray with one mind. After this, your wish will come true.” After pre-paring a bowl of water and praying to Sahng-jeh-nim in earnest, Pil-sung found his pouch of tobacco and his pipe lying neatly on top of his stationery chest.
RETURNING TO THE ORIGIN
(原始返本, wun-shee-bahn-bohn)
96 In January 1909 (D.G. 39), Sahng-jeh-nim composed the following:
曰有道
道有德
德有化
化有育
育有蒼生
蒼生有億兆
億兆有願戴
願戴有唐堯
There is tao.
Within tao there is virtue that raises all things.
From virtue there is birth.
From birth comes growth.
From growth multitudes of people come forth.
From people comes humanity.
There is one thing all of humanity desires.
That is to find its root.58
THE RESOLUTION OF BITTERNESS AND GRIEF
(解寃, hae-wun)
97 One person’s bitterness and grief is enough to block the flow of ch’i in heaven and earth.
Sahng-jeh-nim
98 When the head is raised, everything else becomes straight. The first record of the heavenly relationship between father and son being severed and the beginning of the history of deep-rooted bitterness is the story of Tan-chu (Dan Zhu),59 son of King Yao. If the deep bitter-ness of Tan-chu is resolved, all the knots of bitterness that have been tied over and over for many thousands of years will become untangled.
King Yao regarded Tan-chu as an unworthy son. The king gave Shun his two daughters in marriage and the kingdom. This caused deep bitterness within Tan-chu. The great force of his resentment eventually brought about the death of Shun at Tsang-wu after which the queens committed suicide by throwing themselves into the Hsiang (Xiang) River. From these events the root of bitterness was deeply embedded. As the ages passed, more and more bitterness was added. As it accumulated, it filled the world, bringing it to the verge of destruction. First, Tan-chu’s bitterness will be resolved.
Next, the bitterness of failed revolutionaries’ spirits is to be re-solved. In spite of the revolutionaries’ noble intentions to transform the world; they, their families, and their relatives were killed because the time was not in favor of them. They had no place to go after death. Bearing deep grief, they have wandered endlessly. The anguish, frustration, and indignation of every one of them will be relieved. Their true acts and intentions will be discovered, setting right all misunderstandings about them. They will all have somewhere to go where they may have everlasting comfort. This is the first step toward building a new world.
Sahng-jeh-nim
99 Now is the time for the resolution of bitterness and grief (解寃, hae-wun).60 The unheralded ones will gain power, and previously un-known places will prosper. I direct all the spirits of failed revolu-tionaries in the East and West. They were the products of time and circumstance. With the ability to shake heaven and earth, these revo-lutionaries aspired to reform and save the world. Because the time was not right, they were unable to carry out their intentions. They saw their entire families wiped out and became ghosts of animosity wandering around the universe. In hatred, people unaware of the revolutionaries’ true intentions have called them evil traitors, an ｅxpression commonly used as the severest insult. These accusations have angered the revolutionaries’ spirits. From now on, they will have a place to go. I will send them to a constellation where there is no right or wrong.
Sahng-jeh-nim
100 The Early Heaven has been the world of oppressed yin and revered yang. The natural course of heaven and earth is being blocked as they are filled with the bitterness and grief of women. From this, a disaster threatens to burst forth with the power to destroy the human world. If their bitterness and grief were not relieved, even a great person of divine nature with intellectual and military accomplishments would not be able to save the world.
Sahng-jeh-nim
101 Since ancient times, babies have been strangled or crushed because their mothers were unmarried or widowed, or the babies were considered shameful in some way. Because their bitterness cannot be appeased, they are turning into bullets and bombs that are destroying the world.
Sahng-jeh-nim
102 Sahng-jeh-nim once spent the whole night performing a work of renewing heaven and earth at White Sheep Temple61 in Jahng-sung County. That night, following his orders, all the doors in the temple were left open. With his long pipe, he knocked on the Buddha’s head three times and did the same to all the bodhisattva statues. He said to the statues, “Live joyfully among people. Get married and have children.”
103 If a person’s intentions are frustrated, that person’s bottled-up anger bursts out as illness. From now on, all things are free from restriction. People will be able to do as they will. There will first be confusing dharmas, but true dharma will later emerge.
Set your mind right in all matters. Falseness is the root of all transgression. Truth is the basis of all happiness.
VENGEFUL ENERGY (戚, chuk)
104 People say, “That person lives mu-chuk jahl,”62 meaning someone without vengeful energy can live a very happy life. Do not injure others. Their bitterness comes back to you as vengeful energy. Also, do not hate others. The spirits guarding them will sense it first and seek revenge. Leading a great army and destroying the enemy may seem glorious and captivating, but it destroys human life and causes vengeful energy. If you are struck, gently stroke the assailant’s hand to comfort that person. When someone has the courage to speak, but does not speak perfectly, do not oppose that person as long as the work is not hindered; this would breed vengeful energy. If the food your neighbor gives you tastes bad and makes you feel sick, do not show that you dislike it; when affection is turned away, vengeful energy is created.
Sahng-jeh-nim
105 All disastrous events in the world are brought on by vengeful spirits. Never create vengeful energy. If you have done so, try to resolve each case one by one and bring about reconciliation.
Sahng-jeh- nim
106 A disciple asked Sahng-jeh-nim, “Whenever you see patients, you cannot bear to witness their pain and suffer it yourself on their behalf. Why is this so?”
He replied, “All diseases are rooted in vengeful energy or destiny. If vengeful energy is not alleviated, it leads to more vengeful energy, and if the destiny is not erased, the misfortune ensues. With my suffering on their behalf, the vengeful energy is undone and the destiny disappears. Since I will have suffered all illnesses in this world on behalf of humanity, there will be no suffering from disease in the Later Heaven.”
107 More than a month before Gohng-ooh started to follow Sahng-jeh-nim, he had a fight with a Christian in Chun-wun market. The man threw a stone at Gohng-ooh, breaking his rib. Gohng-ooh fell to the ground, and it took some time for him to regain consciousness. After being treated for many days, he was able to walk about. He told Sahng-jeh-nim he could not touch his chest because of the pain. Sahng-jeh-nim said, “By the road, you once struck someone on the chest, and he was on the verge of death. Consider the harm you did to him and realize your fault. Now you are thinking that when you recover you will find the man who injured you and kill him. The vengeful energy from the man you had nearly killed possessed the Christian to get even with you. You should be thankful to be suffering as much as you are. If you pacify your anger and think of your assailant as a benefactor, you will get well quickly.”
Gohng-ooh was inspired by the wisdom of his advice. He stopped hating the Christian and made up his mind to treat him well the next time they met. A few days later, it was reported that the Christian ministers from twelve towns would gather at the church in Chun-wun. Sahng-jeh-nim said to Gohng-ooh, “The gathering of the twelve ministers will heal your injury.” In just three days, Gohng-ooh’s injury completely healed.
TRANSGRESSION
108 If you neglect to cultivate yourself and you transgress, you are melting iron in a hot crucible. Feel comfortable with being foolish, destitute, humble, and weak and never transgress. Strive to cultivate virtue, and renew yourself day by day. Sahng-jeh-nim
109 Having transgressed, it is difficult to live. Happiness is found where all transgression stops. In earnest tell me what wrongs you have done. I will pardon each one of them. Whenever and wherever you pray to me sincerely, I will accept. Even if you have not trans-gressed, you must not let your guard down for even a moment. Act as though you have often done wrong. Sahng-jeh-nim
110 Cha Gyung-suk63 was troubled as he contemplated his past wrongdoings. Sahng-jeh-nim said to him, “I have told you before, ‘Recollect your wrongdoings one by one and release them,’ yet you have left them in your mind. Do not think of them anymore. If you have done other misdeeds, resolve them all. Should even one be left, it will badly affect your life.”Donga.com C |
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