Progress of the Order 1
1. When the summer of the Imihn Year (1902) arrived, Sangje stayed at Hyeong-Ryeol´s house. Hyeong-Ryeol was rather worried that the food he offered to Sangje was poor because he lived in poverty and even the vegetables he planted on the field were withering due to drought. Sangje considered this situation and said, “What delicacy is there in the middle of the mountains? Vegetables are said to be a delicacy. Do not worry.” After He said that, the vegetables grew so well that Hyeong-Ryeol was relieved of his anxiety.
2. Sangje had a man who had begun following Him recall all the faults committed in his life and inwardly beg Sangje to pardon those faults. He also had the man realize every fault that had failed to come to his mind. Sangje continually rid that follower´s body of all the grudge-harboring spirits (cheok-shin) and misfortune that had attached themselves to him.
3. In the Imihn Year (1902), Kim Hyeong-Ryeol used to visit Sangje whenever He stayed at His family´s house. As Sangje often went back-and-forth to Summer-Cloud (Hawun) Hamlet from His house, the people of Cauldron-Inn (Sotoewon) Hamlet, which was along the way, came to know Him and Hyeong-Ryeol well.
4. On the full moon day in the fourth month of that year, Sangje transmitted a method of mental cultivation to Kim Hyeong-Ryeol and had him continue to train in this method until the 19th day of the ninth month.
5. One day, Sangje said, “I will establish the Degree Number of the progress of My order.” Then, facing the water in the washbasin, He said to the people around, “Gaze into the water with your eyes closed.” When they closed their eyes, and faced down into the water, they saw it suddenly turned into a large sea. Then a snake´s head and a dragon´s body meandered through the sea. As all of them told Sangje what they had seen, He said, “My appearance is that of a humble snake´s head on a dragon´s colossal body.”
6. In the fourth month of the Imihn Year (1902), Sangje took Jeong Nam-Gi to Kim Seong-Bo´s house at Court-Plain (Wonpyeong) Village in Water-Flowing (Suryu) Township of Golden Ditch (Geumgu) County and stayed there with other disciples. Kim Hyeong-Ryeol and Kim Bo-Gyeong came to see Him. After, Sangje told Bo-Gyeong to write three characters: ´儒 (yu, Confucianism / literatus),´ ´佛 (bul, Buddhism / buddha),´ and ´仙 (seon, Daoism / immortal).´ He had His disciples sit upright and choose one of the words with their eyes closed. When Bo-Gyeong touched the character, ´佛 (bul),´ a look of pleasure appeared on His face and He told the disciple who had chosen ´儒 (yu)´ that the character referred to corrupt literati.
7. Since Sangje stayed back at His house during the seventh month, Hyeong-Ryeol headed for the house to have an audience with Him. On his way, he suddenly felt that he had better avoid the attention of the Cauldron-Inn (Sotoewon) residents, and he took a narrow by road. Hyeong-Ryeol was pleased to encounter Sangje on the road, who was going to Summer-Cloud (Hawun) Hamlet from His house. Greeting Sangje, Hyeong-Ryeol told Him why he had taken the narrow road and added, “If I did not take this road, I would not have encountered You, my Master.” Sangje said, “Even if we are far apart in the east and the west, we shall always meet each other for sure. You are following Me from the bottom of your heart, not because of desire for money and power. There is a saying that keeping company with mangryangs (魍魎, sprites and goblins) is beneficial. The reason is that they always bring valuable things to people. When you make friends with mangryangs, you should do so sincerely.” Listening to Sangje, Hyeong-Ryeol followed Him to the end far more sincerely than other disciples.
8. Kim Hyeong-Ryeol kept practicing the mind cultivation method that Sangje passed down. He finished the training on the 19th day of the ninth month. On that day, Sangje said to Hyeong-Ryeol, “It is enough now. I will make you use different arcane arts when the right time comes.” Sangje had disciples observe the assembling and dispersing of divine beings and their receiving of His commands, while practicing all kinds of Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth. He sometimes tested whether the disciples confidently confirmed what they had seen, by asking them about the details of each Reordering Work while making divine beings create winds and rains. Sangje made those who followed Him have confidence in His Reordering Works.
9. One day, Sangje said to Kim Hyeong-Ryeol, “The western priest, Matteo Ricci (Yimadu), came to the East to build an earthly paradise, but he failed to achieve his goal because he could not reform the East due to the deplorable practices that Confucianism had amassed over a long time. However, he opened all the borders in and between Heaven and Earth so that the divine beings who previously maintained their own territories and were unable to cross into the territories of others could now come and go freely. After his death, he opened a new age of cultural enlightenment by leading the gods of civilizations from the East to the West. From that point onward, the gods of earth emulated all the wondrous ways of Heaven and spread them throughout the human world. From then on, all the products of Western civilization were modeled after those of Heaven. Since their civilization was weighted towards materialism, it fostered the arrogance of humankind and tried to shake the order of Heaven and conquer nature. Throughout this course, Western civilization undermined the authority of the gods by incessantly committing all kinds of transgressions. As a result, the Dao of Heaven and the constant Dao of human affairs had been violated, and the Three Realms had been thrown into disorder. As the root of the Dao was finally exterminated, all the divine sages, buddhas, and bodhisattvas, who had existed since the dawn of time, gathered and petitioned Me in the Ninth Heaven to save the realm of humans and the realm of gods from the catastrophes that they were facing. Thus, I descended to the Tower of Heavenly Revelation in the Kingdom of the Great Law (Daebeopguk 大法國) in the West, and on My Great Itineration (Daesoon 大巡) throughout the whole world, at last I reached this land in the East. After arriving at Golden Mountain Temple (Geumsan-sa) of Mount Mother (Moak-san), I spiritually entered the golden icon of Maitreya in the three-story hall for 30 years. Then I revealed to Choe Je-u (Choi Suwun) that the great Dao is to redeem the world. Yet, he could not bring the true meaning of the great Dao to light beyond the framework of Confucianism. Therefore, in the Gapja Year (1864), I withdrew the heavenly mandate and power of divine law from him and finally came as a man in the Shinmi Year (1871).”
10. After Sangje established the Degree Number of the Progress of the Order, He sometimes told His disciples about the stories of the ancients. Among them, there were Jiang Taigong, Shakyamuni Buddha, Guan Yu, and Matteo Ricci.
11. Lee Chi-Ahn began following Sangje because he was impressed by His prescience. Once Sangje saw a man hurrying while entering Jeonju (Perfected Territory) Government Capital, He said to the man, “Go back home right away.” Considering His words strange, the man asked Him for the reason. Sangje said, “You are going to meet a matchmaker regarding a marriage. She is now waiting for you at your house. And if you do not decide on the marriage today, it will come to nothing.” The man returned home with great wonder, as he had been ordered and, indeed, found the matchmaker waiting for him. Afterward, moved by his admiration, the man went to have an audience with Sangje. His name was Lee Chi-Ahn.
12. From the fourth month of the Gyemyo Year (1903), Kim Byeong-Wuk worked as a tax collector in South Plain (Namwon) County. At that time, Park Yeong-Hyo had fled to Japan and tried to bring about a revolution in which Byeong-Wuk was implicated. In the eighth month, the government decided to arrest Park´s followers and dispatched a special constable from Seoul down to Jeonju (Perfected Territory) to look for him. Gwon Jik-Sang, governor of Jeonju, sent the constable from Jeonju to South Plain County to find out where Byeong-Wuk was. Sangje, who had already come there the day before, called Kim Byeong-Wuk out of the inn and told him to put the collected taxes in the innkeeper´s care and to wear a pair of straw shoes instead of leather ones. He walked on the field embankment and the hill, and Byeong-Wuk followed Him without saying a word. After having lunch at a tavern, He continued walking again. When they arrived at Byeong-Wuk´s family´s gravesite on the mountainside, it was already dark. Only then did Sangje turn back to him and ask for the location of the gravesite. Byeong-Wuk answered to Him that it was the right place. When Sangje asked him again about the configuration of the gravesite, he replied that “It is the Lying Ox configuration.” Sangje replied, “It will emit its energy only when the moo of an ox is heard.” While He sat on the spot and was waiting, there was an ox bellowing below the mountain. When Byeong-Wuk told Sangje about the sound, Sangje said, “That is of no use, as it sounds far away.” After they stayed there for a while, strangely enough, a man passed the front of the gravesite, driving an ox, and the ox bellowed out loud. Sangje said, “Its earth-energy has just been activated.” He went down to the memorial house of the gravesite and stayed there overnight. The next day, Sangje sent a grave-keeper to South Plain County to figure out what was happening. The man came back and said that the special constable from Seoul was searching for Byeong-Wuk. Then, in fear, Byeong-Wuk, finally realizing the circumstances, did not know what to do. Sangje, again, had the grave-keeper prepare a palanquin for women and told Byeong-Wuk to go inside. As He reached Narrow Path at Upper Gateway (Sanggwan-Jobeunmok) Township in Jeonju, Sangje sent Byeong-Wuk to Seo Won-Gyu´s house in order to examine the situation. When he entered the house, Won-Gyu was surprised and asked, “How did you get away from the deadly situation? And, why did you come to this dangerous place? I did not have enough time to contact you because it was too immediate. Many of your friends and your family are worried about you.” Byeong-Wuk heard from Won-Gyu that the constables had headed for South Plain County out of Jeonju Government Capital and that they were only half a day apart from the time Sangje and he had made their way. Byeong-Wuk regarded Him as a god with wonder and admiration. Because the search for Byeong-Wuk was fruitless in South Plain County, the special constable came back to Perfected Territory and severely pressed Governor Gwon to arrest him, dispersing ´wanted´ posters for him.
13. Byeong-Wuk was quite concerned that Seo Won-Gyu´s pharmacy was located on the crowded West Stream (Seocheon) Bridge Intersection. After some time, Sangje paid a visit and reassured him not to worry about it. When Sangje came in and went out with Byeong-Wuk, He often called out his name loudly, which made Byeong-Wuk´s hair stand on end. Yet, there was not a single man who recognized him, even though he encountered many people here and there.
14. Afterward, Sangje moved Byeong-Wuk to Jang Heung-Hae´s house and ordered him to stay there for three months. After the three months passed, Sangje told Byeong-Wuk to set his heart at ease. As war clouds were urgently brewing between Japan and Russia, the government´s accusation against Park Yeong-Hyo was cleared in time for the Japanese army to pass through this land and place a ban on the repression of pro-Japanese politicians.
15. In the seventh month of the Gapjin Year (1904), the Eastern Learning members gathered in Court-Plain (Wonpyeong) Village. While passing by the place to have an audience with Sangje, Kim Hyeong-Ryeol saw the members forming a crowd and reported it to Him. Sangje then sent him to Court-Plain Village so he could find out the purpose and conduct of the meeting. He came back from Court-Plain Village and told Sangje that it was a meeting of the Iljinhoe (Progress Fellowship), who presented the slogan supporting the nation and comforting the people, and added that he also found the assembly would take place in River Scenery (Ganggyeong) Port of South Chungcheong (Loyal Lucidity) Province. After listening to him, Sangje said, “To avoid an incident like the plundering in the Gaboh Year (1894), I shall be an example of what I wish them to see and inspire them to use their own fortune.” He sold some of His household goods and some of His farmland, took the money to Jeonju (Perfected Territory) Government Capital, and gave it out to the beggars passing by. From then on, the Iljinhoe (Progress Fellowship) members worked with their own money and did not loot others. Impressed by what Sangje had done, the people of Jeonju paid Him even more respect.
16. Won-Il, serving Sangje in his house, listened to His words about the Way of sages and the stratagem of heroic conquerors. The story was as follows: saving lives by curing the world is the Way of sages, whereas bringing disaster upon people while changing the world is the stratagem of heroic conquerors. For a long time, the world has suffered pain caused by heroic conquerors. Therefore, I will edify people and bring peace to the world through the Dao of mutual beneficence. From now on, have the right mind set. One who wants to be a great man should always cultivate the virtue of respecting all life. How could it be right, if a man wanted to live on while killing a vast myriad of creatures?
17. Sangje said, “The purpose of teaching people by founding schools all over the world is to resolve grievances of both divine beings and human beings. This is done by perfecting the Three Realms and greatly enlightening the world. However, the present schooling makes learners bend solely upon the desire for fame or wealth. Therefore, I made the realization of the Dao something that is to be completed outside of the present frame.”
18. Afterward, Sangje took Gwang-Chan and Hyeong-Ryeol to Jeonju (Perfected Territory) County. A man named Kim Seok became a disciple of Sangje. Prior to his discipleship, Sangje positioned Gwang-Chan and Hyeong-Ryeol on the left and right sides, and placed a bowl of fresh water in front of them. After Sangje had the two recite the Tae-eul Mantra 21 times, He had Seok repeat the mantra.
19. On a day in the first month of the Jeongmi Year (1907), when Kim Gwang-Chan and Shin Won-Il served Sangje, He said to them, “Because spirits and gods immensely abide by truth, I judge the Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth with them.” Then He posted the following writing on the wall: 侍天主造化定永世不忘萬事知 In serving the Lord of Heaven and being unified with the divine order, I wish to never forget and to know everything. 至氣今至願爲大降 May the ultimate energy descend abundantly now! 法師 Dharma Master 慶州龍潭報恩神 Dragon Pond of Celebration Territory, God of the Reciprocation of Gratitude 全州銅谷解冤神 Copper Valley of Perfected Territory, God of the Resolution of Grievances 年Year 月Month 日Day
20. One day in the third month, at a place where the disciples had gathered, Sangje said, “Now is the era when the grievances of gods and spirits shall be resolved. Whose grievances should I resolve between two who conducted holy works equally for 50 years? Choe Je-u (Choi Suwun) attained the Dao in the Gyeongshin Year (1860) and, as a result, acquired the Incantation of Serving the Lord of Heaven (Sicheon-ju 侍天呪). From then, it took 50 years until the Giyu Year (1909). Also, Kim Gyeong-Heun from Benevolence-Embracing (Biyin) County of South Chungcheong (Loyal Lucidity) Province gained the Tae-eul Mantra from divine beings after his fifty-year holy work. The moment he received the mantra, he was ordered to save many people with it. Between the two, whose grievance should be resolved?” Among the disciples, Gwang-Chan answered, “Please do as You think is right.” Sangje then said, “Since the Incantation of Serving the Lord of Heaven has already prevailed, I will use the Tae-eul Mantra.” He taught them by reciting the mantra: hum-chi-hum-chi Tae-eul-cheon-sang-won-gun hum-ri-chi-ya-do-rae hum-ri-ham-ri-sa-ba-ah [吽哆吽哆 太乙天上元君 吽哩哆㖿都來 吽哩喊哩娑婆啊].
21. When Sangje headed for Great Prosperity (Daeheung) Village, Park Gong-Wu accompanied Him. Stopping by Gyeong-Seok´s house, He wrote something on paper and pasted it on the wall, then said, “Heaven and Earth should know where I stay.” Then suddenly it began to thunder. Gong-Wu was rather startled, and the villagers thought the unexpected thunder was strange. Thereafter, some Iljinhoe (Progress Fellowship) members, such as Ahn Nae-Seong, Mun Gong-Shin, Hwang Eung-Jong, Shin Gyeong-Su, and Park Jang-Geun, started following Sangje.
22. Hwang Eung-Jong offered Sangje a yellowish chicken. Sangje had Hyeong-Ryeol slaughter the chicken and boil it at night, and He shared it with Kim Hyeong-Ryeol, Han Gong-Suk, Ryu Chan-Myeong, Kim Ja-Hyeon, Kim Gap-Chil, Kim Song-Hwan, Kim Gwang-Chan, and Hwang Eung-Jong. He wrote the Wunjang Mantra, having them memorize it all at once. This is the Wunjang Mantra as it was known at that time: cheon-ha-yeong-wung Gwan-wun-jang ui-mak-cheo geun-cheong-cheon-ji-pal-wi-je-jang yuk-jeong-yuk-gab yuk-byeong-yuk-eul so-sol-je-jang il-byeol-byeong-yeong sa-gui-eum-eum geup-geup-yeo-ryul-ryeong-sa-ba-ah [天下英雄關雲長 依幕處 近聽天地八位諸將 六丁六甲六丙六乙 所率諸將 一別屛營 邪鬼唵唵喼喼如律令娑婆啊 The great hero under Heaven, Guan Yunchang who resides in his command-tent, I politely pray that you have the Eight Directional Generals of Heaven and Earth, Six Jeong, Six Gab, Six Byeong, Six Eul, all your generals and special forces exorcise demons fast. Om om promptly comply with this divine command saba-ah].
23. Kim Deok-Chan was always arrogant when treating Sangje, but He did not care about it and rather gave preference to him. One day, while Sangje was practicing a Reordering Work in the presence of others, He created great thunder and huge lightning. When Deok-Chan tried to avoid the place in fear, Sangje rebuked him by asking, “If you live free from sin, what do you have to be afraid of?” Even more frightened, Deok-Chan broke out in a cold sweat and did not know what to do. From that time onward, he respected and served Sangje like a god.
24. It was the beautiful spring of the Jeongmi Year (1907). Sangje´s reputation spread all over. Hearing of this, Mun Chi-Do, who lived in the Crane-Town (Hak-dong) Hamlet, went on the road to have an audience with Sangje, who was staying at Kim Seong-Guk´s house in Buddha´s Sojourn (Bulgaji) Hamlet in West-of-this-Fortress (Yiseo) Township of Jeonju (Perfected Territory) County. On the way, he dropped in on Song Dae-Yu of This-Fortress (Yiseong) Village with a plan that they would go together. But, since Dae-Yu had a guest, he wanted Chi-Do to go with his younger cousin. Dae-Yu asked Chi-Do to beg Sangje to cure his cousin of lung disease, and this was critical. Giving his cousin two nyang to serve wine and food, Dae-Yu told him to pay the money back without interest. The cousin gave half of the money back to Dae-Yu, saying that just one nyang would be enough. Then he went after Chi-Do and had an audience with Sangje. When he told Sangje everything about his disease, Sangje said, “How can a stingy man be treated for his disease?” Chi-Do and the patient were both impressed with His insight. The patient was too sorry to beg Him for his treatment and just returned home. Chi-Do prepared some rice wine and refreshments with the one nyang that the patient had given and had Seong-Guk offer the food to Sangje. Seeing what Seong-Guk brought, Sangje asked, “What is this food for?” Seong-Guk replied that it was Chi-Do´s treat. Sangje said, “The money will grow more this evening. You did such a vain thing.” Chi-Do, who was surprised at Sangje´s deep discernment, holiness, and wisdom, told Him that he would return home. Sangje said, “Starting this evening, the patient has to eat boiled barley.” The cousin heard from Chi-Do what Sangje had instructed and began eating barley from that evening onward. His condition improved more and more, and, in the end, he was completely freed from the suffering of lung disease. After this, Sangje´s fame and honor spread further from village to village.
25. On a day in the fall of the Jeongmi Year (1907), accompanied by Shin Won-Il, Park Gong-Wu and some others, Sangje came to rest at the tavern in Sand-Port (Salpojeong) Hamlet in Great Benevolence (Taein) County. Suddenly, there was great thunder and lightning, and it was just about to strike the tavern. The moment Sangje rebuked the sky, while facing the thunderbolt, it stopped immediately. At that time, Gong-Wu thought to himself that Sangje was sure to be the Lord of Heaven who presides over Heaven and Earth, because, He was able to summon lightning and thunder and scold them into disappearance. He firmly decided to follow Sangje, no matter what would happen. One day, Sangje asked Gong-Wu, “Do you know the verse that says I´ve met the person who I was supposed to meet? From now on, your mealtime prayers should be addressed to Me.” Gong-Wu exclaimed, “I´ve realized that my lifelong wish has been answered.” Gong-Wu always had a meal prayer, “May the Lord of Heaven be seen,” unlike that of other Eastern Learning members. Now, thinking the Lord had descended to earth, he was determined to serve Sangje with his utmost sincerity, knowing He could enter others´ minds and freely order Heaven and Earth.
26. When Sangje reached Gingko Platform (Haengdan) Village at Old Prefecture Center (Gohyeonnae) Township of Great Benevolence (Taein) County in the Jeongmi Year (1907), He recited a passage to Cha Gyeong-Seok: “The principle of the commander-in-chief is to strive to win the mind of heroes, remunerate the meritorious, and make others share his will. If he cherishes the same values that the people do, there is nothing he cannot overcome. If he has the same hate as people do, there is nothing he cannot fell. Governing the state and comforting his family requires the support of the people. Losing the state and ruining his family depends on losing the support of the people. All sentient beings wish to realize their will [夫主將之法 務攬英雄之心 賞祿有功 通志於衆 與衆同好靡不成 與衆同惡靡不傾 治國安家得人也 亡國敗家失人也 含氣之類 咸願得其志].” Hoping that Gyeong-Seok would keep it in mind, Sangje added that the appointment of a Head Lady should be made. After Gyeong-Seok returned with Sangje, he recommended his maternal cousin, Madame Goh (Goh Pan-Rye), as the Head Lady. It was the third day of the Winter Solstice month.
27. On the 28th day of the Winter Solstice month, Sangje came to Cha Gyeong-Seok´s house at Great Prosperity (Daeheung) Village in Wellspring-Town (Jeongeup) County. He appointed his house as the administrative court of political affairs and practiced a Reordering Work.
28. One day, when Sangje practiced the Reordering Work of ridge beam suspension, He said that the energy should be released as it was. Then Sangje had Gyeong-Seok bring some beam-suspending white cotton cloth. While He was practicing the Reordering Work with it, He instructed Gyeong-Seok to obtain some more cloth due to a shortage, and He finally finished the Reordering Work of putting up the ridge beam.
29. Sangje said to Hyeong-Ryeol, ‶In the sayings of the sages, not even a single word could ever be discarded. An ancient man called Zisi must have been a sage. He said to King of Wei, ´If Your Highness does not stop such things, no one will be left in the state.´ Eventually, the State of Wei perished because the king had not listened to him.″
30. On the 23rd day of the 12th month in the Jeongmi Year (1907), Sangje visited Shin Gyeong-Su´s house. Sangje talked about Yao´s creating the calendar based on the sun, the moon, and stars, which allowed people to understand time accurately. He added, “If not for the sun and the moon, Heaven and Earth would be nothing but an empty shell. If not for human acknowledgement, the sun and the moon would be nothing but empty shadows. Because Tang Yao had found the principle behind the movement of the sun and the moon and taught it to people, Heaven´s grace and earth´s reason were endowed upon humankind.” Then Sangje taught that fairness is the means by which the sun and the moon rule all things and that the Dao is the means by which the rivers and mountains embrace all actions [日月無私治萬物 江山有道受百行]. Sangje made the Five Incantations and referred to it as the ´essence of Heaven and Earth.´ The incantations are as follows: Sin-cheon-ji ga-ga-jang-seh il-wol-il-wol-man-sa-ji [新天地家家長歲 日月日月萬事知 In a new world, may every household enjoy longevity and may everybody know everything as the sun and the moon shine brightly, so brightly]. Si-cheon-ju-jo-hwa-jeong yeong-se-bul-mang-man-sa-ji [侍天主造化定永世不忘萬事知 In serving the Lord of Heaven and being unified with the divine order, I wish to never forget and to know everything]. Bokrok seong-gyeong-shin sumyeong seong-gyeong-shin ji-gi-geum-ji-won-wi-dae-gang [福祿誠敬信 壽命誠敬信 至氣今至願爲大降 Blessings and fortune, as well as longevity, depend on sincerity, respectfulness, and faithfulness. Hereupon, may the ultimate energy descend abundantly now!]. Myeong-deok-gwan-eum pal-eum-pal-yang ji-gi-geum-ji-won-wi-dae-gang [明德觀音八陰八陽 至氣今至願爲大降 Eight yin and eight yang, which brighten virtue and perceive lamentations (gwaneum), may the ultimate energy descend abundantly now!]. Sam-gye-hae-ma dae-je-shin-wi won-jin-cheon-jon-gwan-seong-je-gun [三界解魔大帝神位願趁天尊關聖帝君 Saintly Emperor Guan, the Celestial Worthy who is Omnipresently Available upon Invocation, Joins the Ranks of Great Emperor Spirits, and Resolves the Evil of the Three Realms].
31. Mun Gong-Shin, Park Jang-Geun, and Lee Hwa-Chun had a grudge against Sangje and made impious remarks about Him because they had suffered hardships at the Primordial Hill (Gobu) Calamity. In the third month, Lee Hwa-Chun was captured and killed and Park Jang-Geun was beaten so hard by voluntary soldiers that his bones were broken. Hearing this, Sangje told Gong-Shin to change his mind, informing that the wrath of gods would fall on him. Sangje wrote on paper and burned it, consoling the ghost of Lee Hwa-Chun.
32. Sangje decided to choose Kim Gyeong-Hak´s house as the school of the greatest learning and said, “This school is great. Since we are in the era of grievance resolution, I shall pass My teaching to the people of low birth first.” He instructed Gyeong-Hak to bring six mudangs (Korean shamans). Then He had each mudang take off their ritual hat (gwan-geon), place a bowl of fresh water on themselves, bow down four times towards the water, and follow Him in reciting the Incantation of Serving the Lord of Heaven (Sicheon-ju 侍天呪) three times each. After finishing this, Sangje asked for their names and told them to drink the fresh water. And Sangje said, “This was a bestowal of blessings and fortune.” It was the event when He propagated His teaching to the humble first during the era of grievance resolution.
33. One day, Gong-Wu had an audience with Sangje and asked Him to bring him into unity with the Dao. Sangje chided him, “One ancestral god from each family clan participates in the court of Heaven and is waiting. If I cause one person to become unified with the Dao, all the ancestral gods will gather and accuse Me of favoritism. Therefore, I cannot grant a personal request. One shall only achieve unity according to one´s own degree of cultivation.”
34. Sangje continued to say, “Confucius enabled only Seventy-Two disciples to awaken through mastery of the Six Arts (yukyeh 六藝), while Buddha led only 500 to reach enlightenment. However, all those who did not achieve such a state brought forth grievances. I will enlighten anyone´s mind, in accordance with his or her own cultivation. Those of the most remarkable talent shall attain the Dao in seven days, those of good talent in 14 days, and those of mediocre talent in 21 days. Those at the highest level will be able to administer all matters at their will. Those at the middle level will be limited in their working. Those at the lowest level will only possess the knowledge of matter and will not be able to direct it at will.”
35. After He said this, He added to Gong-Wu, “If someone wishes to create wind and rain through the arts of Heaven and Earth, infinite efforts and power are necessary. Thus, whatever art one studies, there is no way to know other than through learning. It is said that a talented man named Jeong Bukchang was even able to attain knowledge of every affair after only three days of cultivating himself in the mountains.”
36. Sangje said, “What is made of true words shall not be collapsed, however hard Heaven and Earth tries to destroy it, but what is made of untruthful words must be entirely collapsed when it is destroyed.”
37. While Sangje was staying at Cha Gyeong-Seok´s house, the disciples came to have an audience with Him. At this place, Sangje drew the shape of a person on an entire sheet of paper, posted it on the wall, and located the offerings as if He had performed an ancestral rite. Sangje ordered them, “Bow deeply four times towards the picture, while moving as though you are grasping the authority of Heaven and receiving the energy of earth. While doing so, pray in your heart that your wishes may be granted.” After the disciples did as Sangje had ordered, He stood in the front of the offerings and concluded the ceremony. He then asked, “To whom did you pray regarding your wishes?” One of the disciples replied, “I prayed to You inwardly.” Sangje said with a smile, “I received a memorial ritual while alive. It shall be influential from now on. The mats made of cotton wool grass among the mats here are clean.”
38. While staying in Copper Valley (Donggok) Village, Sangje practiced the Reordering Works of the progress of the order. After seating nine disciples side by side in a row, He ordered Gap-Chil to cut down whichever green bamboo stalk he wanted and bring it back to the group. There were ten joints in the bamboo that had been cut by Gap-Chil. Sangje cut off one of the joints and said, “This one is a head that will come and go between life and death and circulate around at will. The nine joints left corresponds to the number of people who receive teachings. Go out and look at how many stars have appeared in the sky.” Going outside and coming in, Gap-Chil reported, “The sky is filled with clouds, but nine stars are seen twinkling as they cut through the middle of the clouds.” Sangje said, “This corresponds to the number of people who receive teachings.”
39. Sangje wrote on paper for a few days. He compiled the papers and rolled them into a large scroll. He ordered Hyeong-Ryeol, Gwang-Chan, Yun-Geun, Gyeong-Hak and Won-Il, saying “After sealing the window frame, enter the room, and burn the roll in the furnace. Fill the room with smoke and open the door after the roll completely burns away. Never fear fire or water if you wish to accomplish your works.” Taking His words, everyone did as they had been ordered, however, they could hardly breathe because of the smoke. Yun-Geun and Won-Il, who felt it unbearable, ran out of the door. The rest of the disciples did not open the door until the roll of papers completely burned away.
40. One day, to solidify the progress of the order, Sangje spoke about unification with the Dao (dotong 道通): “People did not ascend to that state in the past. Although cultivators of the Dao tried to be unified with the Dao, they failed because they were unable to overcome saboteurs. Those who achieve it shall emerge from now on. It will rather be the case that the people who intend to undermine the endeavor shall be harmed.”
41. “I will send the line of Dao-unification (dotong 道通) to the great head. He will instruct people in the ways of Dao-unification. When it is the right time, all the gods of Dao-unification from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism shall gather enabling people to achieve unification with the Dao, according to their degree of individual cultivation. Therefore, how could I justly preside over it and carry it out by Myself,” asked Sangje.
42. When Sangje stayed with His disciples one day, He said, “People who claim to succeed My dharma shall arise all over like wildfires. However, the true dharma shall re-emerge someday.”
43. From the time He began practicing Reordering Works, Sangje asked His father not to depend on others in daily life and to pave the road for good fortune by reflecting on the faults he had committed. Sangje prohibited him from receiving goods or other forms of help from disciples. Nevertheless, one day, a disciple, who felt sorry that Sangje´s father´s house was so small and narrow, bought a better house for him. Finding it out, Sangje reprimanded the disciple, “How dare you make My father commit a fault? Those who still do not know Me probably think of Me as an undutiful son, but I always look to open the way for My parents. If you want to help My father, do it with My consent.”
44. In the fourth month of the Mushin Year (1908), Sangje went to Jeonju (Perfected Territory) County and had some disciples make a clear copy of His writing. Obeying Him, Hyeong-Ryeol went to the tavern at Dragon Head (Yong-meori) Hill-Path and received the writing that Sangje had handed out and gave it to Gwang-Chan. Gwang-Chan, who was staying at Kim Byeong-Wuk's house, wrote it out clearly and made it into a book. When the book was completed, as Sangje had ordered, He asked Gwang-Chan, “Is it right to pass the writing on to the world?” Gwang-Chan told Sangje that he would follow His will, and Sangje then said, “I already gave a book to Gyeong-Seok. When the writing appears, all people will understand My work.” Sangje burned the completed book and left for Copper Valley (Donggok) Village. There were many words in the book, but because He burned the book to ashes, only a piece of the writing has been passed down through the memory of the disciples. The commerce of a scholar is an occupation, the craftsmanship of a farmer is a job. Accordingly, the scholar's commerce and the farmer's craftsmanship are vocations. Except for that, commerce and craftsmanship of other parts stay in… (some words may be missing). All beings live based upon their vocations. Shame… Release (bang 放), prodigality (tang 蕩), divinity (shin 神), and the Dao (do 道) govern. The spirit of spring is release, that of summer is prodigality, that of autumn is divinity, whereas that of winter is the Dao. As the one who governs spirits is the presider over all, insight into the mind is the great art of the Dao. The 24th day of the 12th month of the Mushin Year (1908). 士之商職也 農之工業也 士之商農之工職業也 其外他商工留所(疑有闕文)萬物資生 羞耻放蕩 神道統 春之氣放也 夏之氣蕩也 秋之氣神也 冬之氣道也 統以氣之主張者也 知心大道術 戊申十二月二十四日 Counterclockwise. 4 - 3 - 8. Mangryangs (魍魎, sprites and goblins) govern Heaven and Earth. 9 - 5 - 1. The kitchen god (jowang 竈王) governs the sun and moon. 2 - 7 - 6. The Seven Stars govern stars. Destiny. May the ultimate energy descend abundantly now! Men, women, the old, the young, and little children sing and recite this. Therefore, I wish to never forget and to know everything. In serving the Lord of Heaven and being unified with the divine order, I wish to never forget and to know everything. 左旋 四三八 天地魍魎主張 九五一 日月竈王主張 二七六 星辰七星主張 運 至氣今至願爲大降 無男女老少兒童咏而歌之 是故永世不忘萬事知 侍天主造化定永世不忘萬事知
45. Sangje redefined for His disciples the seasonal rituals for ancestors. On a seasonal holiday, the following event occurred: Kim Hyeong-Ryeol prepared for his ancestral ritual. Following Sangje´s order, he brought Him the food for the ritual. Sangje shared it with many disciples and said, “This is none other than a seasonal ancestral ritual.” And Cha Gyeong-Seok, who prepared for his father´s memorial ritual, also shared food with His disciples. Sangje explained to the disciples, “This is an ancestral ritual.” From then, Hyeong-Ryeol and Gyeong-Seok offered Sangje food at every seasonal holiday and ancestral ritual.
46. It was said that, while Ryu Chan-Myeong was serving Sangje, he heard from Sangje that the Dao of Yao and Shun would appear again.
47. Ryu Chan-Myeong was taught by Sangje that the unification with the Dao shall be found in Geon (乾, sky), Gam (坎, water), Gan (艮, mountain), Jin (震, thunder), Sohn (巽, wind), Li (離, fire), Gon (坤, earth), and Tae (兌, lake). Having received His teaching, Chan-Myeong loudly recited Geon, Gam, Gan, Jin, Sohn, Li, Gon, and Tae, and then withdrew from Sangje´s presence.
48. When the disciples, including Choi Deok-Gyeom, Kim Ja-Hyeon, and Cha Gyeong-Seok, stayed with Sangje, Deok-Gyeom asked Him, “How is the world going?” As Sangje was writing “Ja (子), Chuk (丑), Ihn (寅), Myo (卯), Jin (辰), Sa (巳), Oh (午), Mi (未), Shin (申), Yu (酉), Sul (戌), Hae (亥),” He said, “It shall become like this.” Ja-Hyeon, who was next to Sangje, was puzzled. Seeing him, then, Sangje wrote, “Gab (甲), Eul (乙), Byeong (丙), Jeong (丁), Mu (戊), Gi (己), Gyeong (庚), Shin (辛), Im (壬), Gye (癸)″ just above the 12 letters. Then He said to Gyeong-Seok, “These two lines are akin to a loom weaving through cloth or a comb combing through hair.”
49. One day, when Sangje stayed at Gyeong-Seok´s house, the following event occurred: His elder cousin came over drunk and endlessly hurled insults at Gyeong-Seok. Since Gyeong-Seok never responded with even a single word, the cousin acted more violently, but he finally ended up returning by himself, having grown tired. Witnessing this event, Sangje said to Gyeong-Seok, “Your energy has been too heavily depleted. Virtue alone cannot be used to cope with all matters. You need to be valiant as well.”
50. One day, while staying at Shin Gyeong-Su's house, Sangje wrote on paper and pasted it on the wall. The writing was as follows: 八八 Eight eight 九九 Nine nine 杜門洞星數 The Star Number of the Blocked off Gate Town (Dumun-dong) 神農牌 Tablet of Shennong 有司標 Identification Badge of Government Official 戊申十一月 初九日 The ninth day of the 11th month of the Mushin Year (1908) 天地 Heaven and Earth 萬死神 Myriad gods of death 百伏神 Numerous gods of prostration
51. In the sixth month of the Mushin Year (1908), while Sangje stayed at Great Prosperity (Daeheung) Village, He had Gong-Wu visit His disciples. Gong-Wu was to tell Sangje´s disciples, who were scattered all over the place, to sleep only one hour at dawn for a 11-day period. According to the order, Gyeong-Seok barely slept for several days, and this exhausted him entirely. On his way home, he fell asleep in a stupor around the ramie field in the front of his house. Seeing this, Sangje said, “Anyone who contrives to become a Son of Heaven shall die.”
52. Sangje gathered His disciples and gave His teaching to them at Cha Yun-Gyeong´s house. Taking His words, Yun-Gyeong assembled eight disciples at his house and reported this to Sangje. But, somehow there were nine people gathered. As Yun-Gyeong told Sangje about that, He said, “That is fine. I will use one man as My attendant.” Then Sangje came to Yun-Gyeong´s house and had the lights put out. He chose one man to stand in the center, while standing the rest of the eight people in the eight directions. He instructed them to recite “Geon, Gam, Gan, Jin, Sohn, Li, Gon, Tae” and had the other two tens of disciples, who were sitting straight, recite along with them. As it was getting late at night, the disciples were told to stop reciting and turn on the lights. Then they listened to Sangje´s teaching.
53. Among the disciples, Sangje chose Cha Gong-Suk, who was blind, and said to him, “You shall be a commander-in-chief. As you oversee 360 days which corresponds to one year, go back and bring 360 people to Me. This is a Reordering Work wherein I will entrust you with Eight Trigrams.” Following Sangje´s order, Cha Gong-Suk went back and brought one man to Him. When Sangje asked the man about his occupation, he replied, “I only do farming and do not have any other occupation. After harvesting, I only go to a market once a year.” Sangje praised him, “Indeed, you are a pure and innocent man.” Then He had the man sit up straight and prohibited him from distracted thinking. Then Sangje instructed Yun-Gyeong to find out where the clouds were. He came back from outside and said, “The sky is clear and there is only a piece of cloud as tiny as a coin over the roof under which You are sitting.” Listening to him, Sangje directed him again, “See where the cloud is spreading.” After Yun-Gyeong went outside and came back once again, he reported, “The cloud is already covering the whole sky, except for a small gap to the north.” Sangje said, “There shall not be any problem in spite of the tiny crack.” A few hours later, He let the farmer return home.
54. One day, after Sangje practiced a Reordering Work regarding the Degree Number of the Imperial Ultimate (Hwanggeuk 皇極), He gathered disciples and asked them about their wishes. Sangje asked Gyeong-Seok twice, and he said, “If one cannot emit fragrance for 100 years, one shall bear the grief of leaving a stench for 10,000 years. I wish for fiefs.” Sangje said to Gyeong-Seok, “You deserve to oversee the Ministry of the Military.” But, this displeased Gyeong-Seok. Sangje explained, “As a subject who is not of integrity cannot be entrusted with the military command, I have especially assigned you to this duty.”
55. Afterward, Sangje devoted Himself to deepening His disciples´ wisdom. One day, He said to the disciples, “Recite the commentary on the preceding first chapter in The Great Learning as often as you can. A great destiny lies there.”
56. One day, Sangje recited to Hyeong-Ryeol the commentary on the preceding first chapter in The Great Learning: “The preceding chapter of the classical text was presumably a teaching by Confucius that had been compiled by Zengzi. Following it, the ten chapters of explanation reflect Zengzi´s views, which were recorded by his disciples. The old edition was hampered by considerable disarrangement due to the tablets. But now, availing myself of the decisions of the philosopher Chengzi, and having examined anew the classical text, I have arranged it in that order [蓋孔子之言而曾子述之 其傳十章 則曾子之意而門人記之也 舊本 頗有錯簡 今因 程子所定而更考經文 別爲序次如左].”
57. He recited another chapter of The Great Learning and said to remember it well. The passage is as follows: It would be best to have just one sincere subject lacking various specific abilities, but whose mind was broad and easy. He could cherish the talents of others as if they were his own, and he could love the sagacity of others with his heart so deeply that it would lie beyond expression. Accordingly, he would be able to accept all beings and would ensure safety for me, my sons, grandsons, and all the people. Would not the benefits be great? If, instead, he was jealous and resentful of the talents of others and rejected their sagacity, then he would sever their communication. In this regard, he would be unable to tolerate all beings and could not protect me, my son, grandsons, or the common people. Would it not be the case that the country had been endangered? 若有一介臣 斷斷兮 無他技 其心休休焉 其如有容焉 人之有技 若己有之 人之彦聖 其心好之不啻若自其口出 寔能容之 以能保我子孫黎民 尙亦有利哉 人之有技 媢疾以惡之 人之彦聖 而違之 俾不通 寔不能容 以不能保我子孫黎民 亦曰殆哉
58. One day, while Sangje was spending leisure time with Gong-Wu, he told Him, “I could not receive any divine spirits through the Incantation of the Eastern Learning.” Sangje replied, “It was an energy descending from Je-u (Choi Suwun), not from Heaven. A man who receives divine spirits from Heaven will be able to heal the sick with a single touch or glimpse. Since divine spirits descending from Heaven shall appear later, cultivate yourself diligently.”
59. One day, Sangje, with disciples seated around Him, wrote the Five Incantations, and He had one of them read. Afterward, He firmly stressed to the disciple, “Pass this to 10,000 people,” Sangje had him do the same to the other disciples one after another in the way He had done to that disciple.
60. One day, Sangje said to the disciples, “Sleep less so that you may recite the Tae-eul Mantra more. It is the highest king of Heaven. Each school, from village to village, shall recite it for Fifty Thousand Years.”
61. One evening, Sangje wrote down “Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Gods” and the Wunjang Mantra and ordered disciples, “Each one of you should inwardly recite this mantra 700 times.” In addition, Sangje said, “The wind will rise and fall every day, and then malaria will turn rampant. As I am concerned that many people will die, I have buried Fire.”
62. According to Sangje´s order, Hyeong-Ryeol marked the Sixty-Four Hexagrams and wrote down the names of the Twenty-Four Directions on paper and gave it to Him. Sangje went out of the door with the paper and said, burning it towards the sun, “Stay with me.” Turning His face to Hyeong-Ryeol, He said, “I will give the Ocean Seal (haein 海印) to those who believe in Me firmly.”
63. One day, Sangje said to disciples, “I called the divine beings of Aiding Comfort (Buan) County but they did not appear. So, I was obliged to go to the region to find out why. I realized that the local divine beings guarding Won-Il could not leave him while he was cultivating himself. In the light of this, how can you neglect to practice cultivation?”
64. Gong-Wu attended to Sangje in many Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth for three years. Whenever a Reordering Work was done, Sangje ordered, “Make the rounds and promulgate the news to disciples everywhere.” Gong-Wu heard Him say, “This is precisely the Great Itineration (Daesoon 大巡) around Heaven and Earth.”
65. Sangje said, “Daoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity have served as the foundation for each of the cultures in the world. Now, I appoint Choi Suwun (Choe Je-u) the head of Daoism, Jin-Muk the head of Buddhism, Zhu Hui´an (Zhu Xi) the head of Confucianism, and Matteo Ricci the head of Christianity.”
66. At the Hour of Sa (9-11am) on the first day of the first month of the Giyu Year (1909), Sangje finished three copies of The Scripture of the Black Tortoise (Hyeonmu-gyeong 玄武經). He carried one copy with Him, burned another on Dao Prosperity Hill Path (Dochang-hyeon), and stored the final copy at Gyeong-Seok's house. 益者三友 There are three types of friends that are beneficial. 損者三友 There are three types of friends that are harmful. 己酉正月一日巳時 At the Hour of Sa (9-11am) on the first day of the first month, the Giyu Year (1909) 玄武經 The Scripture of the Black Tortoise 其瑞在東 The auspiciousness lies in the east. 言聽 Listening to Others 神God 計用 Adopting Tactics 水火金木待時以成 水生於火 故天下無相克之理 Water, Fire, Metal, and Wood, having waited for the proper time, come into being mature. Water arises from fire. Therefore, there is no principle of mutual contention in the world. 玄武經 The Scripture of the Black Tortoise 天地之中央心也 故東西南北身依於心 The center of Heaven and Earth is the mind, so each body of the north, east, west and south depends on the mind. 玄武經 The Scripture of the Black Tortoise 死無餘恨符 The talisman that removes regret even when one faces death. 充者慾也 以惡充者成功 以善充者成功 Filling is desire. Those who fill with evil can realize their aim. Those who fill with good can also realize their aim. 玄武 The Black Tortoise 動於禮者靜於禮曰道理 靜於無禮則曰無道理 If he who sets out with propriety ends up with propriety, this is reason, and if he ends up with rudeness, this is outside of reason. 玄武 The Black Tortoise 誓者元天地之約 有其誓 背天地之約 則雖元物其物難成 An oath is a promise made to Heaven and Earth. Having an oath, if one reneges on it, nothing can be accomplished at all. 玄武經 The Scripture of the Black Tortoise 天文 Cheonmun [heavenly patterns, astrology] 陰陽 Yin and Yang 政事 Political Affairs 玄武經 The Scripture of the Black Tortoise (mirror image writing) 史略 Abbreviated Histories 通鑑 The Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government 大學 The Great Learning 小學 The Lesser Learning 中庸 The Doctrine of the Mean 論語 The Analects 孟子 Mencius 詩傳 The Commentaries on the Book of Odes 書傳 The Commentaries on the Book of Documents 周易 The Book of Changes 一字五結 (mirror image writing) Each character depicts five gyeol (hectares) 消滅陰害符 (mirror image writing) The talisman that eliminates sabotage 戊申臘 (mirror image writing) In the 12th month, the Mushin Year (1908) 消滅陰害符 The talisman that eliminates sabotage 基礎 (mirror image writing) Foundations and stepping 棟樑 (mirror image writing) Pillars and ridge-beams 天地人神有巢文 (mirror image writing) Heaven, Earth, humans, and gods have fundamental patterns. 侍天主造化定永世不忘萬事知 In serving the Lord of Heaven and being unified with the divine order, I wish to never forget and to know everything. 基礎棟樑 Foundations and stepping stones, pillars and ridge-beams 魂魄 (mirror image writing) Spiritual soul and physical soul 基礎 Foundations and stepping ones 棟樑 Pillars and ridge-beams 東西南北 (mirror image writing) East, West, South, North 符文天 (mirror image writing) Talismanic writing Heaven 基礎棟樑(mirror image writing) Foundations and stepping stones, pillars and ridge-beams 飛者走者 Fliers and runners 于從 于衡 Level (verticality) and balance (horizon) 陰陽 Yin and yang 基礎 Foundations and stepping stones 棟樑 Pillars and ridge-beams 政事符 (mirror image writing) The talisman for political affairs (mirror image writing) 曰有道 It is said that there is the Dao, 道有德 As there was the Dao, there came to be virtue, 德有化 As there was virtue, there came to be transformation, 化有育As there was transformation, there came to be nurture, 育有蒼生As there was nurture, there came to be creatures, 蒼生有億兆As there were creatures, there came to be a myriad, 億兆有願戴As there was a myriad, there came to be the wish for coronation, 願戴有唐堯As there was the wish for coronation, there came to be Tang Yao. 基礎棟樑終Foundations, stepping stones, pillars and ridge-beams have been completed. 耳目口鼻 Ears Eyes A mouth A nose 聰明道通 By good hearing and good seeing, one can be unified with the Dao. 震黙大師 The great Buddhist master Jin-Muk 性理大全 八十卷 The Great Collection on Nature and Principle, Eighty books 心靈神臺(mirror image writing) The mind-spirit and the shrine of the gods 祝文 (mirror image writing) A Prayer Text 維歲次己酉正月二日昭告 (mirror image writing) I dare to report with full honor. This year is the Giyu Year (1909) and today is the second day of the first month. 化被草木賴及萬方 (mirror image writing) Virtue nourishes even plants and trees as it benefits the whole empire. 魂返本國勿施睚眦伏祝 (mirror image writing) Please do not look on with hatred as your soul returns to your country. This we pray as we offer prostrations. 大享 The Great Ritual 陳設圖 The arrangement diagram of the sacrifice 享員 Presiders 南無阿彌陀佛 Namo Amitābha Buddha 宙宇詠歌 The song of the time space 侍天主造化定永世不忘萬事知 In serving the Lord of Heaven and being unified with the divine order, I wish to never forget and to know everything. 至氣今至願爲大降 May the ultimate energy descend abundantly now! 宙宇壽命The lifespan of the time space 至氣今至願爲大降 May the ultimate energy descend abundantly now! 天地誠敬信 Heaven and Earth are sincere, respectful, and faithful. 虛靈符(mirror image writing) The talisman for the numinous emptiness. 武夷九曲(mirror image writing) The nine curves of Wuyi Mountain 智覺符(mirror image writing) The talisman for wise-awakening 武夷九曲(mirror image writing) The nine curves of Wuyi Mountain 神明符(mirror image writing) The talisman for bright divinity 武夷九曲(mirror image writing) The nine curves of Wuyi Mountain 受天地之虛無仙之胞胎 Receiving Heaven and Earth's emptiness and nothingness, Daoism is to conceive and bear. 受天地之寂滅佛之養生 Receiving Heaven and Earth's stillness and extinction, Buddhism is to nurture and cultivate. 受天地之以詔儒之浴帶 Receiving Heaven and Earth's edification and decree, Confucianism is to bathe and dress. 冠旺(mirror image writing) Maturation and prosperity 兜率虛無寂滅以詔 It all leads emptiness and nothingness, stillness and extinction, and edification and decree. 玉樞統符 The talisman for Presiding over the Jade Pivot
