The Grand Cycle of Time

In this universe, there are four seasonal gaebyeoks: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

In the cosmic spring, humans and all life are born; in the cosmic autumn, humans, together with all life, mature.

Hence, the Spring Gaebyeok is the ‘creation gaebyeok,’ and the Autumn Gaebyeok is the ‘completion gaebyeok.’

Through the Autumn Gaebyeok, all humans mature.

Instead of only sages, saints, philosophers, or a few others becoming enlightened, all humanity will mature together and attain enlightenment.

The Autumn Gaebyeok is the time when heaven and earth harvest life and bring to pass fruition.

Therefore, anyone who receives the qi of the Autumn Gaebyeok will bear fruit as a mature, enlightened human being.

Enlightenment into Humanity's Right Path

Dialogue 1
A: Are there different types of enlightenment?
B: Yes, of course. Since ancient times, there was enlightenment into the principles of the stars in heaven and enlightenment into the principles of earth, but there has never been enlightenment into humanity’s right path.

A: You’re saying nobody achieved the highest enlightenment in the entire human history?
B: Only one person did. On July 7, 1901, Jeung-san Sangjenim attains the ultimate enlightenment in the Seven Stars Shrine at Daewonsa Temple and opened heaven and earth’s great gate of the spirit realm. This is the enlightenment into humanity’s right path and Jeung-san Sangjenim is the first who attained this enlightenment.

Dialogue 2
A: How is enlightenment about humanity greater than the enlightenment about heaven and earth?
B. It’s because humans are the children of the heaven and earth. We are in the center of the heaven and earth being guided to the destined path of fulfilling the will of heaven and earth parents.

A: Whoa. That’s far out! I never thought it that way. What you’re talking about is an eye-opener.
B: Haha. Yes. You’ll be very surprised as you find out more. But for now, let’s go back and discuss further about the enlightenment.

A: Okay.
B: Enlightening into humanity’s right path entails a capacity to wield the power of creation-transformation to correct the wrongs of humanity’s history and to substantialize the cosmic autumn’s magnificent new civilization.

Sangjenim's Incarnation

In answer to the earnest pleas and prayers of all the preeminent spirits, buddhas, and bodhisattvas in heaven, Sangjenim incarnated into the Eastern land, where a new era was to dawn, to deliver humans and spirits, who have been trapped in torment, by bringing to pass a new heaven and earth.

On September 19, 1871, Sangjenim incarnated into the world in Gaengmang-ri Village of Jeolla-do Province.

Sangjenim’s family name was Gahng, His given name was Il-sun, and He eventually adopted the honorific dao name Jeung-san.

He is Mugeuk Sangje, He who ushered in the universe’s Great Destiny of Mugeuk by conducting the Work of Renewing Heaven and Earth.

The Backdrop of Sangjenim’s Incarnation

Dialogue 1
A: I heard about the monk that met the Maitreya Buddha himself.
B: Which one? The venerable monk Jin-pyo?

A: That one! Tell me more about him.
B: Well. Jin-pyo was a famed Buddhist master during the Silla Dynasty.

A: Yeah. I remember you telling me that he was connected to Sangjenim’s arrival.
B: This is true. After receiving enlightenment through 3 years of prayer, he had a direct encounter with the Maitreya Buddha. Jin-pyo fervently prayed that this Lord Maitreya Buddha would incarnate into Korea during the coming times of calamities.

Dialogue 2
A: So, Matteo Ricci was a Jesuit priest who came to China, huh?
B: Yeah. He was basically a pioneer in bridging the gap between the East and the West in all areas including culture, academics, and spiritual practice.

A: How does he connect with the incarnation of Sangjenim?
B: He tried to build a heaven on earth even after he passed away. Then when things weren’t going as planned, he was the one who lead the group of enlightened spirits, buddhas, and bodhisatvas to entreat Sangjenim to incarnate into this world.

What is Jeung San Do?

Confucius foretold that God the Ruler in Heaven would come in the Eastern land.

He taught that all the words of sages will be realized in the direction of Gan, or the northeast.

Shakyamuni Buddha foretold that at the approach of colossal catastrophes in the last stage of dharma, the Lord of Tushita Heaven, Maitreya Buddha, would incarnate as a human being, deliver humanity, and bring forth the new world of the Dragon Flower Paradise.

Christianity speaks of the Second Advent of Christ.

In truth, this actually signifies the incarnation of God the Father, who sent Jesus to this world.

Who is Sangjenim?

Je (帝) is the historical title for God.

In the East, je originally meant “God the Ruler.”

Sang (上) means “above,” or “highest.”

Therefore, Sangje (上帝) means the “God the Ruler of Heaven.”

The term Sangje further signifies ‘the prime spirit of the universe who rules over nature, human beings, and spirits.’
Sangjenim is the Father of All Life.
He is the Great Teacher and He is the Sovereign Ruler of heaven and earth and all existence, and of humanity and the spirit realm.

A: I heard there are terms referring to God in different cultures. What other names do people in the world use to refer to God?
B: Well, Confucianism uses the term ‘Sangje’. Daoism refers to him as the “supreme being in the Jade City of heaven.” Buddhist teachings say the Lord of Tushita Heaven, the Maitreya Buddha, will save humanity. And Jesus Christ testified about the God the Father that have sent him, who is the Lord of Heaven.
A: So, in a way, they are different titles referring to the same entity?
B: Exactly!

A: This God the ruler has been known as Sangjenim throughout history but there are other terms that were used to refer to Him.
B: What other names are used to refer to the God the ruler, Sangjenim?
A: The formal title of Sangjenim is Okhwang-Sangje, meaning “Jade Emperor of Heaven.”
B: What about Samsin Sangjenim? I thought that was also the title for Sangjenim. Isn’t it?
A: That’s right. The title ‘Samsin Sangjenim’ has been used in Spirit Teaching, which predates Confucianism and Daoism. Sangjenim eventually came to be called Jeung-san Sangjenim when He incarnated into this world.
B: Where can I get more information on this?

What is Jeung San Do?

A: Why is Jeung San Do not a religion? Isn’t it a religion?
B: That's because its teachings are based on the principle of nature. The principle of nature is dao. That’s why it’s called the Jeung San Do meaning Dao of Jeung San, rather than Religion of Jeung San.
A: I don’t understand. What is the difference between religion and dao anyways?
B: We could say that a religion is a path to go up a mountain and dao is the mountain’s summit.

A: The cosmic change and transformation doesn’t solely rely on the cosmic principle itself. We must also know about Sangjenim.
B: Sangjenim? What is the relationship between the cosmic principle and Sangjenim?
A: Sangjenim rules the universe in accordance with the natural order of the universe.
B: Oh, I get it. God rules the principle that makes all the change and transformation happen in the universe. How interesting!
A: Right. Understanding about Sangjenim is the key to understanding the principle.

Sangjenim’s Culture of Renewal

Sangjenim stated, “It is not the Work of Renewing Heaven and Earth if even the spirit of a dead fly bears a grudge against it” (Dojeon

4:44:3). For the spirits of those killed by others before they could lead the life they desired, ①Sangjenim’s process will cure all beings of their bitterness and grief.

Sangjenim’s process entails that the inveterate bitterness and grief of spirits will be healed over a period of approximately one hundred years. ②His work of renewal aims to realize a peaceful paradise free of enmity and conflict.

③Sangjenim’s culture is not simply another culture, but rather the ‘culture of renewal’ or the “Gaebyeok.” This process is taking place at present.

Sangjenim’s Work of Renewal for Healing of Bitterness and Grief

The spirits must first be healed from all their bitterness and grief to help build a better world. Thus, ①those spirits who harbor bitterness and grief must first have their bitterness and grief cured because spirits are foremost in the founding of a new world.

Sangjenim assembled all the spirits and reorganized the spirit realm. This was the formation of the community of spirits. ②Sangjenim constructed this spiritual community in a form not wholly unlike a human community.

The currents of the present world are manifestations of Sangjenim’s work of renewal for the healing of bitterness and grief, as those entities unfold as historical events.

③The spirit world and the human world are like the interior and exterior aspects of an object, thus the community of spirits is realized in the human world.

Spirits Harboring Bitterness and Grief

Because the principle of mutual conflict and domination dominates the human world in the Early Heaven, ①nobody has ever actually lived a mortal lifetime as they truly wished. By nature, each person is born into this world to live a lifetime of freedom.

The history of humanity has been stained with blood and tainted with unrighteousness. It is a rare person who departs this world without bitterness and grief. Thus, there are many spirits harboring bitterness and grief in heaven and on earth.

②The spirit realm is one hundred times more resplendent than the human world. There is a saying: ③“An understanding as brilliant as a spirit.” Spirits perceive more because they are more resplendent than even the sun.