• Ahn Nae-sung
  • Ahn Nae-sung was born in Hahm-ahn County in South Gyung-sahng Province.
  • When he was about six years old, his father wanted to teach him to read and write; but Nae-sung, rather than studying, spent his time wrestling and fighting with other children. His grandfather said, “Leave him alone. That child is not meant to learn reading and writing.”
  • The father could not act against the grandfather’s wishes, but was so disheartened he left the house never to return.
  • When Nae-sung was eight, his grandfather died. The following year, Nae-sung began wandering all over the country in search of his missing father.
  • During this time, he worked as a servant at a temple on Geum-gahng Mountain for three years, where he spent much time listening to the monks chant Buddhist sutras.
  • There, he learned the world would become bright only with the advent of Maitreya Buddha.
  • He took to the road again to resume his search for his father and also to find a spiritual teacher. After hearing there was an enlightened master in Beijing, he went there.
  • In Beijing, he was told the master had moved to Nanjing.
  • He went to Nanjing, but there he was told the enlightened one had returned to Beijing. Nae-sung went back to Beijing again and finally found him.
  • 10 The enlightened master told him, “The Heavenly Teacher who is to save the whole world comes forth in Korea. Do not wander aimlessly here. Go back to your country.”
  • 11 Nae-sung went back to Korea and again traveled from place to place throughout the land. One day, he took a nap at Chohk-suk Pavilion.
  • 12 Half-asleep, he heard an immortal sing a song called “Forest Fountain.” The immortal then said, “Shakyamuni is a buddha of the past. Stop chanting Buddhist sutras. Instead, look for the Heavenly Teacher and serve Him.”
  • 13 Greatly encouraged by this, Nae-sung thought, “Utmost sincerity can move heaven. I believe I can surely meet the Heavenly Teacher.” He continued to search for his father and for the Teacher.
  • 14 In the summer of 1907, he went to the Maitreya Shrine of Geum-sahn Temple.
  • 15 Staying there for several days, he prayed devotedly to Maitreya Buddha that he would find his father, whom he missed even in his dreams, and the Heavenly Teacher.
  • First Meeting with Sahng-jeh-nim
  • 16 On June 22, on his way from Geum-sahn Temple, Nae-sung rested sitting on a rock in the shade of a tree on Sae-jae Hill in Jung-eup County. During his rest, memories and waves of regret engulfed him.
  • 17 Sahng-jeh-nim had arrived earlier and was sitting nearby. He filled and lit His pipe, took a puff while looking into the distance, and said abruptly, “What a crazy fool I see here.”
  • 18 Nae-sung looked at Sahng-jeh-nim and saw only a younger man in the narrow-brimmed hat of a commoner, obviously trying to start a fight.
  • 19 Naturally, Nae-sung felt irritated; but he had just come from the Maitreya Shrine, so he calmed himself and spoke gently. “Whom are You addressing in that tone?”
  • 20 Sahng-jeh-nim turned His head toward Nae-sung and thundered, “You fool, is there anyone else here? I’m talking to you. What a crazy fool!”
  • 21 When Sahng-jeh-nim’s eyes met his, Nae-sung suddenly felt choked with inexpressible emotion. With such a piercing gaze sapping all of his power, Nae-sung fell to his knees.
  • 22 Without giving him a moment to breathe, Sahng-jeh-nim yelled, “I’m crazy, but you’re also crazy! You idiot, aren’t you looking for your father? Your father died on the tenth of March. Hold memorial rites for him on that date.”
  • 23 Nae-sung suddenly bowed his head. “Oh Teacher! I am so happy to meet You.”
    “Crazy idiot,” Sahng-jeh-nim snapped. “How am I your Teacher? You bandit!”
  • 24 Sahng-jeh-nim stood up and started walking down the hill toward Jung-eup County. Nae-sung followed, afraid that he might otherwise never see his Teacher again.
  • 25 “You thief!” Sahng-jeh-nim shouted. “Go back to China.” He then picked up a boulder and hurled it at Nae-sung.
  • Undeterred by Harsh Treatment
  • 26 Having made a vow at the Maitreya Shrine, Nae-sung was determined to follow this Teacher, even at the cost of his life. He did not try to avoid the huge rock, and it struck him in the head.
  • 27 He felt a great jolt and lightning flashed in his eyes; but rather than being injured, he felt refreshed and lighter. Even more determined to cling to Sahng-jeh-nim, Nae-sung continued after Him.
  • 28 But Sahng-jeh-nim said, “You rogue! I told you not to follow, so why are you still bothering Me?”
    As they went, Sahng-jeh-nim threw even larger rocks at him, one after the other.
  • 29 Still not avoiding them, Nae-sung was struck on his head, shoulders, chest, arms, and legs all along the way to Dae-heung Village.
  • 30 After arriving at Gyung-suk’s house, Sahng-jeh-nim threw everything within His reach at Nae-sung, even His personal wooden headrest. By no means would He allow Nae-sung to enter.
  • 31 Nae-sung, forty-one at the time, followed Sahng-jeh-nim from that day forth.
  • 32 Sahng-jeh-nim prohibited him from entering the room where the other disciples sat, telling them, “That fellow is a lunatic.” Thus, the disciples held him in low esteem.
  • 33 One day, however, Sahng-jeh-nim treated Nae-sung kindly and told the disciples, “I feel pity for that fellow. Let him sleep in My room tonight.”

  • (JSD Dojeon 3,133)




    No Records.