- Jung Nahm-ghee and His Son
- 1 One day, as Sahng-jeh-nim arrived at Jung Nahm-ghee’s house, Nahm-ghee’s son, who had just been scolded, spoke disrespectfully to his father.
- 2 The son stormed out of the house, but then turned around to come back in. He stopped and stood still in front of the door, sweating and then moaning in agony.
- 3 The entire household was greatly alarmed and did not know what to do.
- 4 Finally, Sahng-jeh-nim turned to look at him and asked, “Why are you in such agony?” Only then was the son able to come to his senses and move.
- 5 When the family asked him what had happened, the young man replied, “Suddenly, I felt dizzy and could not breathe well. My joints stiffened, and I could not move.”
- 6 “Did you feel suffocated then?” Sahng-jeh-nim asked.
“Yes, I could hardly bear it.”
- 7 Sahng-jeh-nim admonished him. “Use this experience to understand how your father felt.
- 8 How do you think your father felt when you spoke to him with such disrespect? Filial piety is the origin of blessings and the basis of conduct. Realize what you have done and never do it again.”
- (JSD Dojeon 9,68)
