백제 때 미륵사보다 먼저 지어진 사자암의 놀라운 기운 | '산골 노승의 화려한 점심' 향봉스님 4

On the 380-meter-high cliff of Mireuksan Mountain in Geumma-myeon, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, lies the 74-year-old monk Hyangbong (2023). He lives alone on this high ground, with only the clouds as his companions, without any food offerings, cooking and doing his own laundry. Even with Buddha's Birthday approaching, most temples across the country are dazzling with lanterns, but not a single one hangs here. The title of the book published by Hyangbong, who never received payment for a lantern, is "A Splendid Lunch of a Mountain Elderly Monk" (published by Bulkwang Publishing). In most temples, when Buddhists see a monk, they bow three times, and during meals, the monks' table and the laymen's table are strictly divided, like a table divider. However, they do not even bow, and sit around the same table and face each other. Moreover, since the believers do not even know when the monk's birthday is, they do not receive a birthday meal, have never held a Cheondojae or college entrance exam prayer, and have decided not to receive royalties from the book they recently published. "If you have it, you are happy, and if you do not have it, you are free." Monk Hyangbong was a powerful figure who had served as the editor-in-chief of a Buddhist newspaper and the head of the general affairs department, the “number 2” position in the Jogye Order’s general affairs office, in his 30s. He also served as the head priest of a thousand-year-old temple like Naejangsa Temple, and in the 1970s, he achieved popularity as a best-selling author with the book “Loving and Forgiving,” which sold 600,000 copies. “In his late 30s, he suddenly came to his senses,” he abandoned everything and left for India, where he spent 15 years wandering around India, Nepal, Tibet, and China. He said that during his pilgrimage, he experienced a brightening of the mind and the resolution of long-held questions. Returning to Sajaam Hermitage, he now enjoys freedom from the necessities of money and status he had already achieved in his 30s. His unhindered Zen dialogue became a hot topic in Zen circles nationwide. He displays the martial prowess of a swordsman, yet he also bursts into tears upon seeing a note left by a girl with polio, along with a few 500 won coins, in a Buddhist prayer box, which her father had left behind. He shared a dharma talk with Venerable Hyangbong amidst the clouds of Sajaam Hermitage. #VenerableHyangbong #A Gorgeous Lunch with a Mountain Monk #Sajaam Hermitage ---------------------------- Jo Hyun TV Resting Mind Jo Hyun, Religion Reporter, Hankyoreh [email protected] What do you desire? Lots of money, high status, solid power, good family and friends, joy and happiness. When you become wise with an open attitude, many things are given as a bonus. Hyusimjeong is a place where you can let go of religion, ideology, stereotypes, and prejudice, open your heart, learn, become wise and mature, and live happily together with others. The wisdom to accept what cannot be changed, and the courage to change what can! *Jo Hyun TV's Hyusimjeong does not receive any revenue from YouTube advertising. Therefore, it is created through the talent donations of the interviewers, interviewees, filmers, and editors. (Jo Hyun mostly interviews with her phone mounted on a tripod, so please excuse any imperfections in the audio and other aspects.) **The interview article is available at Hyusimjeong (well.hani.co.kr). Subscribe to reporter Jo Hyun on Naver News (naver.me/F5uVPaKk) to receive Jo Hyun's articles. **Please support the Hankyoreh (support.hani.co.kr) or subscribe to the newspaper, as it will be a great help. (If you've supported me, please contact me by email. If you'd like to subscribe to the Hankyoreh, please contact me by email. Jo Hyun's email is [email protected].) May you be healthy and happy! May you be loved and respected! May you be a creator of a beautiful world!