The Perfect Priest

There was once a priest called Namnu who had perfected his ways in the Buddhistic doctrine. Whenever he had clothing of his own he would willingly undress and give it to those who were cold. His spirit was gentle with no creases or corners in it. Everybody, high and low, rich and poor, called him by the nickname of Softy. Whenever he saw any one sentenced to a flogging in the temple or official yamen, Namnu invariably begged that he might take the culprit's place. Once, when there was a great function in progress at Pagoda Temple and many high officials were assembled, Softy, too, was seen kneeling at the side and taking part. He suddenly remarked to Prince Hong of Yon-san, "You are indeed a very great man."

むかし、ナムヌという名の僧がいて、仏の教えの道を極めていた。自分の着る物があれば、いつでも喜んで脱いで寒がっている者に与えた。その心は穏やかで、しわも角もなかった。身分の高い者も低い者も、富める者も貧しい者も、みなこの僧を「ふにゃふにゃ」というあだ名で呼んだ。寺や役所で誰かが鞭打ちの刑を言い渡されるのを見るたびに、ナムヌは必ず罪人の代わりに自分を打ってくれと頼んだ。あるとき、塔寺で大きな法会が催され、大勢の高官が集まっていたとき、ふにゃふにゃも脇にひざまずいて加わっているのが見えた。ふにゃふにゃは突然、延山(ヨンサン)のホン君に言った。「あなたはまことにたいそうな偉いお方ですね。」

Hong replied, "What do you mean by 'great man,' you impudent brat? Take that," and he gave him a box with his fist on the ear. Softy laughed, and said, "Please, Hong, don't do that, it hurts! it hurts!"

ホンは答えた。「『偉いお方』とはどういう意味だ、この生意気な小僧め。これでもくらえ」そしてこぶしでその耳をぴしゃりと打った。ふにゃふにゃは笑って言った。「どうか、ホンさん、やめてください、痛い! 痛い!」

Later I was in the train of Prince Yi of Yun-song, and other high officials were present, when we stopped for a little before the Temple. Softy was there, and he looked at Yi and said, "I know your face, but I have forgotten your name." Afterwards he said, "Oh, I remember now, you are Yi Sok-hyong." The priests of the monastery who heard this familiarity were scandalized, and hurried to make no end of apology to the Prince, saying, "Softy was born so, God made him so. Please, Your Excellency, forgive him." The Prince forgave him and so he was not disturbed.

のちにわたしは李(イ)の尹城(ユンソン)君のお供をしていて、ほかの高官たちもいたが、わたしたちは寺の前でしばらく足を止めた。ふにゃふにゃがそこにいて、李を見て言った。「お顔は存じていますが、お名前を忘れました。」それからこう言った。「ああ、思い出しました、あなたは李石亨(イ・ソクヒョン)ですね。」このなれなれしさを聞いた寺の僧たちは肝をつぶし、急いで君にさんざん詫びて言った。「ふにゃふにゃは生まれつきこうなのです。天がこうお造りになったのです。どうか、閣下、お許しください。」君は許したので、ふにゃふにゃはとがめられなかった。

Yi Ryuk.

李陸(イ・リュク)