Faraway Travel
A man I met in Poona
Soyeon, Yoon
This episode is what happened in 1990 when I traveled around south-east countries. On arriving in Poona, Master said.
“Inform intellectuals here that I have come.”
Fearlessly and busily, I wandered around here and there to convey Master’s message to strangers in a unfamiliar city where I visited for the first time. It is said that those who have reputation in India live in Poona, known as a city of education. After asking around here and there, I came to know that Poona university is famous for philosophy. I went there and knocked on the door of the chancellor’s office. When the door opened, he was the chancellor but I could know the truth later. I asked him because I didn’t know he was the chancellor until that time.
“Where is the chancellor?”
He answered me.
“Why are you looking for him?”
I gave him Master’s message and said to him.
“My master has come here from South Korea. He wants to meet intellectuals in India.”
He read the message and unhesitatingly arranged a meeting. When we arrived at the chancellor’s office at the appointed time, two men welcomed us. One was the man I met before and the other one was a stranger. I asked the first one, indicating the other one.
“Is this gentleman the chancellor?”
He said no. Finally I came to know that the first one was Gupte, the chancellor of Poona university. The other one was the professor in Department of Psychology, who was very famous in India. First I introduced Master to them and then them to Master. Master introduced himself to them again.
“I am the truest person in the world.”
Master asked them a few questions. Then, he told them to ask the questions if there were some matters they wanted to know.
The chancellor, Gupte, said.
“Could you tell me where my soul is?”
“Yes. However, before I answer your question, I would like to ask you a question. After listening to your answer, I will answer your original question so that you can understand it most easily.”
“What is your question?”
“Where do beans come from?”
“Don’t beans come from beans?”
Master laughed loudly and said.
“Yes, they do. However, from beans’ standpoint, they are rooted into the ground so they can see differently. As beans come from beans, your soul lies in you and is form through your activities. And owing to what exists in the soul, you will be born again.”
Doctor Gupte was very delighted with the answer and said.
“A good number of people around us have tried to know about these kinds of things but haven’t been successful.”
Later on, there were lots of talk between them and Master. When we were about to leave his office, Gupte said.
“What you have said to us today is very useful. When you visit Poona again, Could you contact me, please?”
Master agreed happily and they saw us off politely.