Venerable Jugyeong: "Don't Regret Acting Rashly... Stay Calm and Restore the Five Eyes (5an)"

"Don't be 'Uk', 'Hwak', or 'Pak'."

This is a statement by Ven. Jukyung, Chairman of the Central Council of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, who recently published an essay collection titled Seeing What Cannot Be Seen (Ma-eum-ui Sup). At the book launch held on the 16th at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Center, Ven. Jukyung explained, "'Uk' is the sudden surge of anger from within, 'Hwak' is when that anger affects others, and 'Pak' is when it escalates to cursing, speaking ill, or even flicking someone on the head." He advised to limit the peak level of anger to 'Hwak' and gradually reduce the frequency of getting angry. Referring to the saying that "Koreans ride a roller coaster without seat belts," he warned, "The moment you lose control and explode, assaults occur and irreparable consequences follow."

Ven. Jukyung, who published the essay collection "Seeing What Cannot Be Seen."
[Photo courtesy of Jogye Order]

To cultivate such a mental field, he emphasized the recovery of five types of eyes: 육안 (Yugan, the physical eye), 천안 (Cheonan, the heavenly eye), 혜안 (Hyean, the wisdom eye), 법안 (Beoban, the Dharma eye), and 불안 (Buran, the Buddha eye). Ven. Jukyung pointed out that due to desires, greed, envy, and jealousy born from the world's flawed systems and education, these eyes have become clouded: the 육안 sees only the limited present, the 천안 foresees the future and death, the 혜안 penetrates the truth of the universe, the 법안 transcends good and evil without attachment, and the 불안 is the Buddha's eye that observes all things in the universe without deficiency.

To correct these clouded eyes, he urged practicing seeing the world differently from the usual way, emphasizing a relaxed attitude. He advised paying attention to sounds often overlooked in daily life, such as the sound of grass growing nearby, the excited cries of ants carrying food, and the messages conveyed by sunlight falling on one's shoulders.

However, when overwhelming anger is truly hard to endure, he advised, "Rather cover yourself with a blanket and sleep." Even amid life's difficulties, this is better than causing trouble and dealing with the aftermath. Ven. Jukyung said, "You will feel better after sleeping. Just maintain that feeling."

Ven. Jukyung graduated from Dongguk University and entered monastic life at Sudeoksa Temple in Yesan under the guidance of Ven. Seoljeong, receiving novice precepts (Sammi precepts) in 1986. He spent about a year practicing in Buddhist countries of Southeast Asia and served as the head monk of Buseoksa Temple in Seosan. He has held positions such as Director General of the Jogye Order's General Affairs Bureau, Director of Planning, Director of Yeoksam Youth Training Center, and President of the Buddhist Newspaper.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.