- Sahng-jeh-nim’s Work Needs a Su-bu
- 1 In 1904, Sahng-jeh-nim said to Gim Hyung-yul, “My work needs a su-bu. Recommend a woman to be the su-bu.”
- 2 Hyung-yul recommended his third daughter and had her attend on Sahng-jeh-nim. But, afraid of others’ criticism, Hyung-yul kept postponing the ceremony.
- 3 Though Sahng-jeh-nim repeatedly ordered Hyung-yul to hold a formal ceremony befitting a su-bu,
- 4 Hyung-yul continually disobeyed.
- Gyung-suk Is Ordered to Find a Su-bu
- 5 Late in the autumn of 1907, on their way to Dae-heung Village from Nohng-ba-ooh Village, Sahng-jeh-nim and Cha Gyung-suk stopped in Haeng-dahn Village.
- 6 There, Sahng-jeh-nim said to Gyung-suk, “Yin or yang alone cannot accomplish anything. My work can only be done with the participation of a su-bu. Recommend a woman if you truly wish to take part in this work.”
- 7 In Dae-heung Village, Sahng-jeh-nim stayed at Gyung-suk’s house, and His request was constantly on Gyung-suk’s mind.
- 8 Gyung-suk’s living conditions were quite poor because he had given everything to the Eastern Learning movement when he was an adherent.
- 9 He did not have a proper mat for Sahng-jeh-nim to sit on, so he borrowed the straw wedding mat that belonged to a female cousin on his mother’s side. He then offered a bowl of sweet rice drink to Sahng-jeh-nim.
- 10 As Sahng-jeh-nim was drinking, the bowl slipped from His hand and the drink spilled on the mat.
- 11 While Gyung-suk went to get a rag, Sahng-jeh-nim wiped the spot with a red handkerchief. This made a red stain on the mat.
- 12 Although Gyung-suk tried to clean the mat after Sahng-jeh-nim had left for Gu-rit-gohl Village, the stain remained. Gyung-suk returned the mat to his cousin, apologizing as he explained the red stain.
- (JSD Dojeon 6,14)
