Eerie Tales from Old Korea

by Brother Anthony of Taizé

  Hong Nae-Beom was a military graduate who was born in the year 1561 and lived in the city of Pyongyang. He passed his examination in the year 1603, and in the year 1637 attained to the Third Degree. He was 82 in the year 1643, and his son Seon memorialized the King asking that his father be given rank appropriate to his age. At that time a certain Han Hyeong-gil was chief of the Royal Secretaries, and he refused to pass on the request to his Majesty. But in the year 1644, when the Crown Prince was returning from his exile in China, he came by way of Pyongyang. Seon took advantage of this to present the same request to the Crown Prince. His Highness received it and had it brought to the notice of the King. In consequence, Hong received the rank of Second Degree.

  On receiving it he said, “This year I shall die,” and a little later he died.

  In the year 1594, Hong fell ill of typhus fever, and after ten days of suffering, died. They prepared his body for burial and placed it in a coffin. Then the friends and relatives left, and his wife remained alone in charge. All of a sudden the body turned itself and fell to the ground with a thud. The woman, frightened, fainted away, and the other members of the family came rushing to her help. From this time on, the body resumed its functions, and Hong lived.

  Said he, “In my dream I went to a certain region, a place of great fear where many persons were standing around, as well as awful ogres, some of them wearing bulls’ heads and some with faces of wild beasts. They crowded about and jumped and pounced toward me in all directions. A scribe robed in black sat on a platform and addressed me, saying, ‘There are three religions on earth: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. According to Buddhism, you know that heaven and hell are places that decide between man’s good and evil deeds. You have ever been a blasphemer of the Buddha and a denier of a future life, acting always as though you knew everything, blustering and storming. You are now to be sent to hell, and ten thousand kalpas will not see you out of it.’

  “Then, two or three constables carrying spears came and took me off. I screamed, ‘You are wrong, I am innocently condemned.’ Just at that moment, a certain Buddha, with a face of shining gold, came smiling toward me and said, ‘There is truly a mistake somewhere; this man must attain to the age of eighty-three and become an officer of the Second Degree ere he dies.’ Then, addressing me, he asked, ‘How is it that you have come here? The order was that a certain Hong of Jeonju be arrested and brought, not you; but now that you have come, look about the place before you go and tell the world afterwards of what you have seen.’

  “The guards, on hearing this, took me in hand and brought me first to a prison house, where a sign was posted up marked, ‘Stirrers Up of Strife.’ I saw in this prison a great brazier-shaped pit, built of stones and filled with fire. Flames arose and forked tongues. The stirrers up of strife were taken and made to sit close before it. I then saw one infernal guard take a long rod of iron, heat it red-hot, and put out the eyes of the guilty ones. I saw also that the offenders were hung up like dried fish. The guides who accompanied me, said, ‘While these were on earth, they did not love their brethren, but looked at others as enemies. They scoffed at the laws of God and sought only selfish gain, so they are punished.’

  “The next hell was marked, ‘Liars.’ In that hell I saw an iron pillar of several yards in height, and great stones were placed before it. The offenders were called up and made to kneel before the pillar.

  “Then I saw an executioner take a knife and drive a hole through the tongues of the offenders, pass an iron chain through each, and hang them to the pillar so that they dangled by their tongues several feet from the ground. A stone was then taken and tied to each culprit’s feet. The stones thus bearing down, and the chains being fast to the pillar, their tongues were pulled out a foot or more, and their eyes rolled in their sockets. Their agonies were appalling. The guides again said, ‘These offenders, when on earth, used their tongues skillfully to tell lies and separate friend from friend, and so they are punished.’

  “The next hell had inscribed on it, ‘Deceivers.’ I saw in it many scores of people. There were ogres that cut the flesh from their bodies and fed it to starving demons. These ate and ate, and the flesh was cut and cut till only the bones remained. When the winds of hell blew, flesh returned to them; then, metal snakes and copper dogs crowded in to bite them and suck their blood. Their screams of pain made the earth tremble. The guides said to me, ‘When these offenders were on earth, they held high office, and while they pretended to be true and good they received bribes in secret and were doers of all evil. As Ministers of State, they ate the fat of the land and sucked the blood of the people, and yet advertised themselves as benefactors and were highly applauded. While in reality they lived as thieves, they pretended to be holy, as Confucius and Mencius are holy. They were deceivers of the world, and robbers, and so are punished thus.’

  “The guides then said, ‘It is not necessary that you see all the hells.’ They said to one another, ‘Let’s take him yonder and show him.’ So they went some distance to the southeast. There was a great house with a sign painted thus, ‘The Home of the Blessed.’ As I looked, there were beautiful halos encircling it, and clouds of glory. There were hundreds of monks in cassock and surplice. Some carried fresh-blown lotus flowers; some were seated like the Buddha; some were reading prayers.

  “The guides said, ‘These, when on earth, kept the faith, and with undivided hearts served the Buddha, and so have escaped the Eight Sorrows and the Ten Punishments,* and are now in the home of the happy, which is called heaven.’ When we had seen all these things we returned.

  “The golden-faced Buddha said to me, ‘Not many on earth believe in the Buddha, and few know of heaven and hell. What do you think of it?’

  “I bowed low and thanked him.

  “Then the black-coated scribe said, ‘I am sending this man away; see him safely off.’ The spirit soldiers took me with them, and while on the way I awakened with a start and found that I had been dead for four days.”

  Hong’s mind was filled with pride on this account, and he frequently boasted of it. His age and Second Degree of rank came about just as the Buddha had predicted.

  His experience, alas, was used as a means to deceive people, for the Superior Man does not talk of these strange and wonderful things.

  Yi Tan, a Chinaman of the Song Kingdom, used to say, “If there is no heaven, there is no heaven, but if there is one, the Superior Man alone can attain to it. If there is no hell, there is no hell, but if there is one the bad man must inherit it.”

  If we examine Hong’s story, while it looks like a yarn to deceive the world, it really is a story to arouse one to right action. I, Im Bang, have recorded it like Tuizhi,** saying, “Don’t find fault with the story, but learn its lesson.”

  _______________

  * Of the various trials and tribulations that people face during their lives in the Buddhist tradition, these are the ones that people must free themselves of.

  ** The pen name of Han Yu, a Chinese writer and Neo-Confucian scholar during the Tang Dynasty.

  TA-HONG

  Minister Sim Hui-su was, when young, handsome as polished marble and white as the snow, rarely and beautifully formed. When eight years of age, he was already an adept at Chinese characters and a wonder in the eyes of his people. The boy’s nickname was Sindong (the godlike one). After the passing of his first examination, he advanced step by step till at last he became First Minister of the land. When old, he was honored as the most renowned of all ministers. At seventy he still held office, and one day, when occupied with the affairs of State, he suddenly said to those about him, “Today is my last on earth, and my farewell wishes to you all are that you may prosper and do bravely and well.”

  His associates replied in wonder, “Your Excellency is still strong and hearty, and able for many years of work; why do you speak so?”

  Sim laughingly made answer, “Our span of life is fixed. Why should I not know? We cannot pass the predestined limit. Please feel no re
gret. Use all your efforts to serve His Majesty the King and make grateful acknowledgment of his many favors.”

  Thus he exhorted them and took his departure. Everyone wondered over this strange announcement. From that day on he returned no more, it being said that he was ailing.

  There was at that time attached to the War Office a young secretary directly under Sim. Hearing that his master was ill, the young man went to pay his respects and to make inquiry. Sim called him into his private room, where all was quiet. Said he, “I am about to die, and this is a long farewell, so take good care of yourself and do your part honorably.”

  The young man looked, and in Sim’s eyes were tears. He said, “Your Excellency is still vigorous, and even though you are slightly ailing, there is surely no cause for anxiety. I am at a loss to understand your tears and what you mean by saying that you are about to die. I would like to ask the reason.”

  Sim smiled and said, “I have never told any person, but since you ask and there is no longer cause for concealment, I shall tell you the whole story. When I was young, certain things happened in my life that may make you smile.

  “At about sixteen years of age I was said to be a handsome boy and fair to see. Once in Seoul, when a banquet was in progress and many dancing girls and other representatives of good cheer were called, I went too, with a half-dozen comrades, to see. There was among the dancing girls a young woman whose face was very beautiful. She was not like an earthly person, but like some angelic being. Inquiring as to her name, some of those seated near said it was Ta-hong (Flower Bud).

  “When all was over and the guests had separated, I went home, but I thought of Ta-hong’s pretty face and recalled her repeatedly, over and over; seemingly, I could not forget her. Ten days or so later, I was returning from my teacher’s house along the main street, carrying my books under my arm, when I suddenly met a pretty girl, who was beautifully dressed and riding a handsome horse. She alighted just in front of me and, to my surprise, taking my hand, said, ‘Are you not Sim Hui-su?’

  “In my astonishment, I looked at her and saw that it was Ta-hong. I said, ‘Yes, but how do you know me?’ I was not married then, nor had I my hair done up, and as there were many people in the street looking on, I was very much ashamed. Flower Bud, with a look of gladness in her face, said to her pony-boy, ‘I have something to see to just now; you return and say to the master that I shall be present at the banquet tomorrow.’ Then we went aside into a neighboring house and sat down. She said, ‘Did you not on such and such a day go to such and such a Minister’s house and look on at the gathering?’ I answered, ‘Yes, I did.’ ‘I saw you,’ said she, ‘and to me your face was like a god’s. I asked those present who you were, and they said your family name was Sim and your given name Hui-su, and that your character and gifts were very superior. From that day on I longed to meet you, but as there was no possibility of this I could only think of you. Our meeting thus is surely of God’s appointment.’

  “I replied laughingly, ‘I, too, felt just the same towards you.’

  “Then Ta-hong said, ‘We cannot meet here; let’s go to my aunt’s home in the next ward, where it’s quiet, and talk there.’ We went to the aunt’s home. It was neat and clean and somewhat isolated, and apparently the aunt loved Flower Bud with all the devotion of a mother. From that day forth we plighted our troth together. Flower Bud had never had a lover; I was her first and only choice. She said, however, ‘This plan of ours cannot be consummated today; let us separate for the present and make plans for our union in the future.’ I asked her how we could do so, and she replied, ‘I have sworn my soul to you, and it is decided forever, but you have your parents to think of, and you have not yet had a wife chosen, so there will be no chance of their advising you to have a second wife as my social standing would require for me. As I reflect upon your ability and chances for promotion, I see you already a Minister of State. Let us separate just now, and I’ll keep myself for you till the time when you win the first place at the examination and have your three days of public rejoicing. Then we’ll meet once more. Let us make a compact never to be broken. So then, until you have won your honors, do not think of me, please. Do not be anxious, either, lest I should be taken from you, for I have a plan by which to hide myself away in safety. Know that on the day you win your honors we shall meet again.’

  “On this we clasped hands and spoke our farewells as though we parted easily. Where she was going I did not ask, but simply came home with a distressed and burdened heart, feeling that I had lost everything. On my return I found that my parents, who had missed me, were in a terrible state of consternation, but so delighted were they at my safe return that they scarcely asked where I had been. I did not tell them either, but gave another excuse.

  “At first I could not desist from thoughts of Ta-hong. After a long time only was I able to regain my composure. From that time forth I went at my lessons with all my might. Day and night I pegged away, not for the sake of the examination, but for the sake of once more meeting her.

  “In two years or so my parents appointed my marriage. I did not dare to refuse and had to accept, but had no heart in it, and no joy in their choice.

  “My gift for study was very marked, and by diligence I grew to be superior to all my competitors. It was five years after my farewell to Ta-hong that I won my honors. I was still but a youngster, and all the world rejoiced in my success. But my joy was in the secret understanding that the time had come for me to meet Ta-hong. On the first day of my graduation honors I expected to meet her, but did not. The second day passed, but I saw nothing of her, and the third day was passing and no word had reached me. My heart was so disturbed that I found not the slightest joy in the honors of the occasion. Evening was falling when my father said to me, ‘I have a friend of my younger days, who now lives in Changui-dong, and you must go and call on him this evening before the three days are over,’ and so, there being no help for it, I went to pay my call. As I was returning, the sun had gone down and it was dark, and just as I was passing a high gateway, I heard the sillae (a shrill whistle by which graduates command the presence of a new graduate to haze or honor, as they please) call. It was the home of an old Minister, a man whom I did not know, but he being a high noble there was nothing for me to do but dismount and enter. Here I found the master himself, an old gentleman, who put me through my humble exercises and then ordered me gently to come up and sit beside him. He talked to me very kindly and entertained me with all sorts of refreshments. Then he lifted his glass and inquired, ‘Would you like to meet a very beautiful person?’ I did not know what he meant and so asked, ‘What beautiful person?’ The old man said, ‘The most beautiful in the world to you. She has long been a member of my household.’ Then he ordered a servant to call her. When she came, it was my lost Ta-hong. I was startled, delighted, surprised, and almost speechless. ‘How do you come here?’ I gasped.

  “She laughed and said, ‘Is this not within the three days of your public celebration and according to the agreement by which we parted?’

  “The old man said, ‘She is a wonderful woman. Her thoughts are high and noble, and her history is quite unique. I will tell it to you. I am an old man of eighty, and my wife and I have had no children, but on a certain day this young girl came to us saying, “May I have the place of slave with you, to wait on you and do your bidding?”

  “‘In surprise I asked the reason for this strange request, and she said, “I am not running away from any master, so do not mistrust me.”

  “‘Still, I did not wish to take her in and told her so, but she begged so persuasively that I yielded and let her stay, appointed her work to do, and watched her behavior. She became a slave of her own accord, and simply lived to please us: preparing our meals during the day and caring for our rooms for the night, responding to calls, ever ready to do our bidding, and faithful beyond compare. We feeble old folks, often ill, found her a source of comfort and cheer unheard of, making life perfect peace and joy. Her nee
dle, too, was exceedingly skillful, and according to the seasons she prepared all that we needed. Naturally, we loved and pitied her more than I can say. My wife thought more of her than any mother did of a daughter. During the day she was always at hand, and at night she slept by her side. At one time I asked her quietly concerning her past history. She said she was originally the child of a freeman but that her parents had died when she was very young, and, having no place to go to, an old woman of the village had taken her in and brought her up. “Being so young,” said she, “I was safe from harm. At last I met a young master with whom I plighted a hundred years of troth, a beautiful boy; none was ever like him. I determined to meet him again, but only after he had won his honors in the arena. If I had remained at the home of the old mother, I could not have kept myself safe and preserved my honor; I would have been helpless. So I came here for safety and to serve you. It is a plan by which to hide myself for a year or so, and then when he wins I shall ask your leave to go.”

  “‘I then asked who the person was with whom she had made this contract, and she told me your name. I am so old that I no longer think of taking wives and concubines, but she called herself my concubine so as to be safe, and thus the years have passed. We watched the examination reports, but till this time your name was absent. Through it all she expressed not a single word of anxiety, but kept up heart saying that before long your name would appear. So confident was she that not a shadow of disappointment was in her face. This time on looking over the list, I found your name and told her. She heard it without any special manifestation of joy, saying she knew it would come. She also said, “When we parted I promised to meet him before the three days of public celebration were over, and now I must make good my promise.” So she climbed to the upper pavilion to watch the public way. But this ward being somewhat remote, she did not see you going by on the first day, nor on the second. This morning she went again, saying, “He will surely pass today,” and so it came about. She said, “He is coming; call him in.”