- The End of Nae-sung’s Lifelong Search
- 1 When they sat with Sahng-jeh-nim, the disciples took their usual places, and Nae-sung sat in the corner.
- 2 Once, when Sahng-jeh-nim and the disciples were enjoying a large meal in Gu-rit-gohl Village, He allowed Nae-sung to sit with them.
- 3 Sahng-jeh-nim told the disciples to each recite a poem in the order in which they were seated, and added, “You should know at least one poem. If not, you can sing a song.”
- 4 Gim Hyung-yul and Cha Gyung-suk each recited a poem, then it was Ahn Nae-sung’s turn. He recited:
- 5 In a deep valley surrounded by mountains,
I cultivated a couple of small fields,
planting the herbs of immortality here and there.
- Now I find outside my door,
an immortal flying around on a crane’s back.
- 6 “Now sing us a song with a fast rhythm,” said Sahng-jeh-nim. Nae-sung sang “Forest Fountain,” the song he had heard at Chohk-suk Pavilion.
- 7 Upon hearing it, Sahng-jeh-nim asked, “Why did you go to the Chohk-suk Pavilion in Jin-ju?”
- 8 Nae-sung was astounded. He realized that not only had his lifelong search for a teacher ended, the Teacher he had found was the Lord of Heaven Himself.
- An Ignorant One Becomes Enlightened
- 13 One day, Sahng-jeh-nim asked the disciples, “What other names are you known by?”
- 14 Nae-sung answered, “I am also called Gyung-mahn.”
- 15 Sahng-jeh-nim said, “Aha, an ignorant one has become enlightened!”
- 16 Then, He tore off a piece of wallpaper right behind Nae-sung, revealing the two words, gyung (敬) and mahn (萬).
- 17 Sahng-jeh-nim ordered, “All of you address Nae-sung with respect as Gyung-mahn three times.” Each addressed him so.
- (JSD Dojeon 3,134)
