- Gim Hyung-yul and Sahng-jeh-nim Meet Again
- 1 Gim Hyung-yul considered doing some farming in Nae-ju-pyung Village to alleviate his family’s poverty.
- 2 In 1897 (DG 27), on a visit to that village, he happened to visit the school at Jung Nahm-ghee’s house. There, he saw Sahng-jeh-nim teaching the children. Sahng-jeh-nim wore a straw hat, commonly worn by young men. Hyung-yul inquired and found out that Sahng-jeh-nim was a son-in-law of the Jung family.
- 3 He taught reading and writing and told people’s fortunes. In the village, He was thought to have divine power.
- 4 Hyung-yul did not have another opportunity to visit that village, but he thought of Sahng-jeh-nim constantly and, one day, heard that Sahng-jeh-nim had attained enlightenment at Dae-wun Temple.
- 5 Hyung-yul became eager to meet Him again.
In April 1902 (DG 32), Hyung-yul went to the market in Wun-pyung Village with one nyahng to buy some rice. To his surprise, he came across Sahng-jeh-nim.
- 6 Hyung-yul was so overcome with joy that his concern about feeding his family disappeared. He offered the one nyahng to Sahng-jeh-nim to use as travel money.
- 7 “Do not worry, I have enough money for traveling,” Sahng-jeh-nim said, laughing. “Hurry home to your family with some rice.”
- 8 Hyung-yul became more insistent. He pledged, “Teacher, if You do not accept this money, I will abandon my family right now and follow You even at the cost of my life.”
- 9 “I reluctantly accept this money to keep you from dying and leaving your family behind.” Sahng-jeh-nim said this with mirth in His voice. “But what will you do about feeding your family?”
- 10 “If You accept this one nyahng, I will be happy and invigorated, and ten nyahng will surely come to me right away.”
- 11 Sahng-jeh-nim laughed. “In that case, I will accept it though I know how precious the money is.”
- 12 “My humble house is not far from here,” Hyung-yul said after giving Him the money. “I would like to invite You to have dinner and stay with us tonight.”
- 13 “After giving Me money, you wish to give Me a meal as well?” Sahng-jeh-nim laughed again. “I sincerely thank you, but I am on My way to Choong-chung Province, where I need to attend to some matters. Rest assured, I will visit you on My return. Now think of some way to buy rice for your family.” Sahng-jeh-nim started on His way.
- 14 “I will be waiting for Your visit,” Hyung-yul said, still full of elation as he saw Sahng-jeh-nim off. “Please be sure to come.”
“I will,” Sahng-jeh-nim replied as He walked away.
- (JSD Dojeon 2,17)