- Happy to Be in Sahng-jeh-nim’s Presence
- 1 When the disciples gathered, they all tried to sit next to Sahng-jeh-nim. When they had a meal together, if Sahng-jeh-nim left some rice in His bowl, they all wanted to eat it.
- 2 Even when He rebuked them, they were all happy to be in His presence.
- 3 Once, a disciple danced while threshing beans. Sahng-jeh-nim asked, “Does seeing Me make you that happy?”
- 4 If someone was seen at a great distance, walking along the road leading toward the village, Sahng-jeh-nim could say who was coming.
- 5 Usually, Sahng-jeh-nim told the disciples where to sit and spoke to them informally.
- 6 Sometimes, when He spoke to them in the presence of other people, He used more formal language.
- 7 He was warm-hearted to everyone He met; and whether speaking or silent, moving or still, happy or angry, He demonstrated propriety. But He sometimes behaved in a way incomprehensible to others.
- The Disciples Show Their Respect
- 8 When the disciples visited Sahng-jeh-nim, outside the room they performed the customary bow in which they kneeled and lowered their heads to the ground.
- 9 If someone did not perform this bow, Sahng-jeh-nim said, “Look at him. He does not bow, as though he were a steel rod!”
- 10 If a disciple simply bowed while standing, Sahng-jeh-nim said, “Only a sedan chair bearer bows like that.”
- 11 If a disciple did not kneel for fear of dirtying his new clothes, Sahng-jeh-nim slapped him on the cheek. “Are your clothes that important, fool?”
- 12 In His presence, they always kneeled. Hyung-yul was an exception. Ever since his third daughter began attending on Sahng-jeh-nim, Hyung-yul could sit less formally, as if he were Sahng-jeh-nim’s father-in-law.
- 13 If any disciple forgot himself and relaxed, Sahng-jeh-nim would reprehend him. “You! Are you asleep?”
- 14 If someone tried to sit comfortably because his legs hurt, Sahng-jeh-nim thundered, “How dare you sit like that in My presence?” Then, He hit the man or struck him in the lap with lightning.
- 15 Anyone wanting to see Sahng-jeh-nim would have to first go through Hyung-yul or sometimes Ho-yun.
- (JSD Dojeon 3,97)
