- The Field for Completing Dao Affairs
- 7 In autumn 1908, Sahng-jeh-nim took Su-bu-nim, Gim Hyung-yul, Gim Gahp-chil, Bahk Gohng-ooh, Moon Gohng-shin, Ahn Nae-sung, Cha Gyung-suk, and other disciples on a journey to perform a work of renewal concerning Taejeon (“bean field”).
- 8 Sahng-jeh-nim arrived at Suh Mountain and asked Gohng-ooh, “I am looking for a field. Where should I go to find My field?”
- 9 “Where are You heading?” Gohng-ooh asked.
“After Im-pee Township, I will go to Taejeon.”
- A Great Work of Renewal at Sool Mountain
- 10 On their way, they passed by Gohng-ju, Ip-ma, and Uh-rae mountains and arrived at Sool Mountain in Im-pee Township. There, Sahng-jeh-nim said, “I will treat the mahng-nyahng spirits. Prepare some dog meat.”
- 11 After making a big offering with the meat, Sahng-jeh-nim said, “The virtue of humans and spirits will be united by the one born in the Year of the Dog.”
- 12 They left Im-pee Township and headed for Taejeon.
- A Horse Enters the Bean Field
- 13 When Sahng-jeh-nim and the people traveling with Him had nearly reached Taejeon, they saw two people playing a game of Korean chess.
- 14 The disciples approached the two playing the game.
- 15 At that moment, Sahng-jeh-nim said, “A horse is entering the bean field! Look here, why aren’t you chasing after the horse when it’s entering the bean field?”
- 16 Moments later, He said while entering Taejeon, “A horse must be involved in our work.”
- The Place of the Emperor
- 17 After walking a while longer, Sahng-jeh-nim suddenly stopped and stomped the ground three times with His right foot as He loudly shouted,
- 18 “This is the place of the emperor. In the future, there will emerge a dharma that has never been known before and will never be known again.
- 19 Taejeon will be made My home, where the virtue of humans and spirits will be united. Taejeon will become the new capital.”
- 20 He then recited a poem:
- 萬國活計南朝鮮 淸風明月金山寺
文明開化三千國 道術運通九萬里
- 21 The means of saving the world is in south Joseon.
In the land of fresh breeze and bright moon
lies Geum-sahn Temple.
The autumn civilization
blooms in three thousand nations.
The great destiny of dao mastery civilization
reaches the ends of the universe.
- Practicing Dynamic Meditation in Taejeon
- 22 They found an inn at which to spend the night in Taejeon, and at around dusk, they all began to meditate, first by chanting the Tae-eul Mantra, and then the Shee-chun-ju, Gae-byuk, and other mantras. As they chanted, they became increasingly enthusiastic. They began jumping up and down as spirits came to them. Some disciples laughed loudly and others spoke. It became very noisy.
- 23 A short while later, Sahng-jeh-nim and Su-bu-nim began chanting, “Shee-chun-ju Jo-hwa-jung Yung-seh-bool-mahng Mahn-sa-jee. Na-na-na-na . . . .” As They chanted, Sahng-jeh-nim and Su-bu-nim vigorously shook Their bodies and jumped into the air.
- 24 The disciples also jumped high as their energy increased, chanting, “Shee-chun-ju Jo-hwa-jung Yung-seh-bool-mahng Mahn-sa-jee.”
- 25 Su-bu-nim’s skirt and underskirt flew up over Her head, and the pin of Sahng-jeh-nim’s topknot hit a ridgepole, causing His hair to come loose.
- Moving in the Shape of Tae-geuk
- 26 After a while, as their enthusiasm grew, all of them held hands in a circle and then moved together in the shape of Tae-geuk (쫼). One by one, they went inside the circle and jumped.
- 27 Sahng-jeh-nim sang, “Sool-lae sool-lae. Gahng-gahng sool-lae. If it is all right with you, it is all right with me. If it is all right with me, it is all right with you.”
- 28 This practice, which had begun in the early evening, continued deep into the night.
- 29 Villagers living nearby, who were disturbed by the strange sounds, complained to the Japanese police. The police came and there was considerable trouble in the village.
- 30 After this occasion, whenever there was an opportunity, Sahng-jeh-nim would have the disciples meditate in this way.
- A Ritual Is Offered to the Spirit of Bohng-mu Mountain
- 31 Once, while staying a few days in Taejeon, Sahng-jeh-nim and Su-bu-nim went to Bohng-mu Mountain and with great devotion made an offering to the mountain spirit. The rites were so solemn that they naturally made the disciples grow solemn.
- 32 After this work of renewal concerning Taejeon was conducted for fifteen days, they returned to Gu-rit-gohl Village.
- (JSD Dojeon 5,243)
