NewJeansnim Yoon Sung-ho Reenacts Beopjeong Sunim; Lee Chan-won Says, "Frivolous"

NewJeansnim Yoon Sung-ho Reenacts Beopjeong Sunim; Lee Chan-won Says, "Frivolous"

On the 26th, comedian Yoon Sung-ho and Deokjo Sunim, the first disciple of Beopjeong Sunim, appeared as guests on KBS 2TV's "Celeb Soldier's Secret."

The program introduced the process by which Beopjeong Sunim laid the foundation for his spirit of non-possession while living as a novice under his teacher, Hyobong Sunim. Beopjeong Sunim is said to have realized the meaning of a frugal life after seeing his teacher wash and eat even food scraps.

After his teacher's passing, Beopjeong Sunim stayed at Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon and began writing Korean-language interpretations of Buddhist scriptures. Moved by the story of a Buddhist believer, he realized, "An unreadable Buddhist scripture is nothing more than a washboard," and then began work on the interpretations.

An anecdote from his time at Daraeheon in Bongeunsa Temple in Seoul was also revealed. Beopjeong Sunim realized that his affection for the orchids he cherished was attachment, handed the orchids to a friend, and used that experience as the occasion to write his representative work, "Non-Possession." Deokjo Sunim explained, "Non-possession does not mean that you should own nothing; it means not owning unnecessary things."

Beopjeong Sunim's history in the democratization movement was also discussed. Deokjo Sunim said, "There are stories of Beopjeong Sunim being taken away by police and suffering hardships while participating in the democratization movement, as well as traces and materials showing that he joined the movement with many people, including Bishop Ji Hak-sun, Ham Seok-heon, and Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan."

The program also shared that Beopjeong Sunim left behind a condition banning the posthumous publication of the 11 books he had published during his lifetime. After publication ended, the remaining books sold out quickly, bringing cumulative sales to about 3.6 million copies.

The story was also told of how Beopjeong Sunim handed the first royalties from "Non-Possession," which he had urgently pressed to receive, to the wife of Jang Jun-ha. The amount was 500,000 won, equivalent to about 20 million won in today's value. Another anecdote introduced how he delivered secret scholarships through the music listening room "Beethoven."

Yoon Sung-ho reenacted Beopjeong Sunim's urgent phone call pressing for the royalty payment, and Lee Chan-won chided him, saying, "Why is Beopjeong Sunim so frivolous?"

Beopjeong Sunim helped marginalized people through a group called "Clean and Fragrant," but in his later years he battled lung cancer. Doctor MC Lee Nak-jun said, "The lungs themselves do not feel pain," and explained that if cancer cells press on nerves, symptoms can appear as shoulder pain or facial nerve paralysis. Beopjeong Sunim passed away at Gilsangsa Temple on March 11, 2010, at the age of 78.

Jang Do-yeon read the passage, "You must know how to live in this moment. Do not be distracted, do not be bound, and go your own way," once again reflecting on Beopjeong Sunim's teachings.