Winning Buddha's smile

In Short

This book presents an English translation of a foundational Korean legend, a story of moral endurance that has likely survived for over six hundred years. It follows the life of Sun-Yen, a high official who is unjustly ruined by a scheming Prime Minister, and his daughter, Cheng-Si, who sacrifices her own liberty to sustain him. By weaving together themes of filial piety, the cruelty of political corruption, and the ultimate restoration of justice, the narrative serves as a testament to the belief that virtue, though often tested by adversity, inevitably prevails.

The Story

The narrative begins in the capital of Hpyeng-Yang, where the noble Sun-Yen serves his King with integrity. His world collapses when the unscrupulous Prime Minister, Ja-Jo-Mi, fabricates a seditious letter to frame him. Stripped of his rank and wealth, Sun-Yen is exiled to an island. His wife dies soon after, and the grief-stricken man loses his sight, leaving him to survive only through the devotion of his young daughter, Cheng-Si. Years later, to save her father from starving, Cheng-Si sells herself into service to obtain rice, beginning a series of harrowing trials.

Across the peninsula, other lives are upended by the fallout of court intrigue. The wife of Sun-Yen’s friend, Yeng-Si, is abducted by a murderer named Su-Rung, but she is eventually liberated by the robber’s repentant brother. In her flight, Yeng-Si loses her infant son, San-Syeng, who is found and raised by Su-Rung. As fate dictates, the children of the two exiled families—Cheng-Si and San-Syeng—grow into adulthood, unaware of their shared history. Through a sequence of poetic exchanges and near-death encounters, they find one another, marry, and begin to untangle the web of lies that destroyed their parents.

The arc of restoration accelerates when the young King, having survived an attempt on his life by Ja-Jo-Mi, asserts his own rule. San-Syeng, now a capable leader, rises to prominence and helps overthrow the corrupt Prime Minister. The scattered members of the families are finally reunited. The once-blind and broken Sun-Yen is brought to the capital, where he delivers a powerful discourse on peace and mercy, effectively guiding the nation away from unnecessary wars. The legend concludes with the restoration of order and the disappearance of the sage-like Sun-Yen, suggesting his ascension to a higher realm. The narrative reaffirms the core belief that while evil may possess temporary power, the arc of time inevitably bends toward justice.

How It Unfolds

The fall of the innocent Sun-Yen is betrayed by a forged letter and cast into exile, where his wife perishes and he succumbs to blindness. His daughter, Cheng-Si, takes up the burden of their survival, eventually selling her liberty to ensure her father’s life.

The scattered threads The narrative follows the parallel suffering of Yeng-Si and the upbringing of San-Syeng, who is raised by his mother’s kidnapper. These subplots emphasize the pervasive reach of the Prime Minister’s malice and the resilience of those caught in his wake.

The meeting of souls San-Syeng and Cheng-Si encounter each other as strangers and fall in love through verses and music, unknowingly fulfilling their parents' past connections. Their union serves as the catalyst for the eventual unraveling of the Prime Minister’s schemes.

The overthrow of corruption The young King rejects Ja-Jo-Mi’s attempts to usurp the throne, leading to a political realignment. San-Syeng leads the forces of justice to depose the tyrant, setting the stage for national reconciliation.

The restoration of virtue The disparate family members find each other, monuments are erected to honor the selfless, and the blind Sun-Yen returns to the capital to counsel the King. The cycle of tragedy concludes with the triumph of peace and the harmonious resolution of all lingering grievances.

The People

Sun-Yen represents the ideal of the benevolent official; his character is defined by his unwavering commitment to others despite his own profound losses. He transitions from a man of worldly prosperity to a sightless, wandering beggar, only to emerge as a spiritual advisor whose wisdom saves his country. His daughter, Cheng-Si, acts as the narrative’s moral engine; her selfless sacrifice and quick wit allow her to navigate a world of danger.

Opposing them is Ja-Jo-Mi, the Prime Minister, whose only motivation is the consolidation of power through deception and violence. He serves as the necessary catalyst for the story's trials. San-Syeng, the son of the exiled scholar, embodies the promise of a new generation; he possesses both the martial capability to overthrow the tyrant and the sensitivity to honor his heritage. Finally, the King stands as a figure of emerging authority, moving from the manipulated boy under the Prime Minister’s thumb to a sovereign who learns the value of mercy through the counsel of the very man his advisor once framed.

In Its Own Voice

"But Korean literature remains, as it has remained for years back, virtually a thing unknown and unappreciated."

The editor frames the text as a rare glimpse into a neglected literary tradition, inviting the reader to engage with a foreign cultural artifact.

"The actions and outer garb of men may differ much, but good hearts and good manners should be in the bosoms of us all."

Sun-Yen delivers this rebuke to a court lady who judges his appearance, emphasizing the book’s central argument that inner character outweighs external status.

"As the Spring-time follows Winter, so laughter follows tears."

Cheng-Si comforts the grieving Prince with this observation, illustrating the story’s cyclical view of suffering and hope.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the tension between transient power and enduring moral truth. It argues that the political machinations of the wicked, while destructive, are ultimately superficial and incapable of stifling the natural order of goodness. The narrative posits that human suffering, while often agonizing and seemingly random, serves as a refining fire for character. Through the lens of Buddhist-tinged morality, it questions the necessity of vengeance, suggesting that the highest form of political and personal victory is the capacity to forgive and to seek peace. It is a meditation on the idea that if one remains tethered to virtue, even the deepest exile or the darkest deception will eventually yield to the light.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate folk tales, classical mythology, or the straightforward moral clarity of ancient parables will find this book deeply rewarding. It provides a window into a specific, historical view of Korean social values, emphasizing the importance of filial devotion and the duty of the state to its citizens. Reading it feels like sitting by a fireplace listening to an elder recount a long-held family history—it is unhurried, repetitive in its rhythm, and intentionally instructional.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for its simplicity. The prose does not aim for psychological realism or complex character interiority; instead, it operates through archetypes. The period-specific attitudes, including the treatment of women as objects to be protected or bartered and a certain fatalism regarding social class, are reflective of its age and may strike a contemporary audience as rigid or even jarring. Despite these limitations, the book’s genuine warmth and its focus on the "ever-widening circle" of human connection make it a gentle, contemplative read. It leaves the reader with a sense of quiet optimism, lingering on the idea that even in a world marred by "religious dissension" or political greed, there exists an underlying, persistent grace.