Samsin Sangjenim and Spirit Teaching

Unveiling the Cosmic Tapestry: An Exploration of Dojeon 1:1

In the quiet depths of spiritual inquiry, certain texts emerge that resonate with a profound, almost primal, understanding of existence. The opening chapter of Jeung San Do's sacred scripture, the Dojeon, is one such passage. More than a simple creation myth, Dojeon 1:1 lays a foundation for understanding the universe's origin, humanity's spiritual heritage, the historical trials of a nation, and the ultimate purpose of our cosmic journey. Let us delve into its layers, guided by the insights it offers.

The verses begin with a majestic declaration: "At the great beginning, heaven and earth came into being." This is not merely a recounting of a physical event, akin to a scientific Big Bang, but an unveiling of a spiritual reality – the universe unfurling from divine intention. At the heart of this "glorious resplendence" is Samsin, described as "the One Spirit, the universe’s Holy Spirit of Creation-Transformation." Samsin is not an abstract deity but the very wellspring of existence, the primordial energy that "begets all that exist" and orchestrates the universe through the threefold functions of creation, nurturing, and governance.

This Primordial Spirit, Samsin, manifests as Sangjenim, the personal, governing intelligence of the cosmos. The text affirms, "Being one with Samsin, God governs all the universe from Heaven’s Golden Palace." For the people of Joseon (an overarching term for the Korean people and their ancestral lands), this recognition of Sangjenim as the Supreme Ruler is an ancient truth, a cornerstone of their spiritual identity. Sangjenim is not a localized deity but "the Supreme Governor of the Universe and God the Ruler," a universal Godhead acknowledged, in various forms, across cultures.

The narrative then turns to the unique spiritual role of Joseon. It is described as "the fountainhead and sovereign land of Spirit Teaching (Singyo)," the primordial spiritual culture from which, Jeung San Do teaches, all global religious and ritualistic traditions ultimately stem. Joseon is presented as the "homeland of all the world’s traditions of offering rituals to the spirits." This positions Korea not as a recipient of foreign spiritual influence, but as an ancient source, a spiritual wellspring for humanity.

However, this sacred legacy faced a profound crisis. The text speaks of a tragic severing: "ancient historical roots have been severed by the distortion of history by China’s Han people and by Japan, causing profound and widespread suffering." The glorious ancient civilizations of Hwanguk, Baedal, and Gojoseon – the "Three Sacred Nations" – were obscured, their histories distorted, leading to a loss of spiritual and national identity for the Korean people. This historical wound, this deep-seated "han" (bitterness and grief), is a crucial element in understanding the subsequent unfolding of cosmic events.

It is in response to this "diseased" state of heaven, earth, and humanity, and the severed historical roots, that the most pivotal declaration is made: "Sangjenim incarnated as a human into the land of Joseon to deliver humans and spirits by restoring the root of humanity’s history and by renewing heaven and earth, which had grown diseased, through the dao of seeking out the beginning and returning to the origin (Wonshibanbon)." This is the central tenet: the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, Sangjenim, chose to come to Earth, specifically to the land of Joseon, to initiate a grand work of cosmic healing and restoration. His mission is not merely for one nation, but a universal deliverance.

The final verse ties this divine incarnation to the prophecies and hopes of all major spiritual traditions: "It was his incarnation that had been heralded by Shakyamuni, Jesus, Confucius, and myriad other sages and awakened ones whom he had sent to the world." This is a powerful statement of spiritual unification, suggesting that the great religious founders and spiritual teachers throughout history were, in essence, messengers paving the way for Sangjenim's ultimate advent. Jeung San Do thus presents itself not in opposition to other faiths, but as a culmination, a fulfillment of the deepest spiritual aspirations of humankind.

In essence, Dojeon 1:1 is a compact cosmology, a spiritual history, and a profound theological statement. It speaks of a universe born from a triune Spirit, governed by a personal Supreme God, and of a humanity whose spiritual origins lie in an ancient "Spirit Teaching" culture, centered in Joseon. It acknowledges historical suffering and the severing of roots but culminates in the hopeful and transformative message of Sangjenim's incarnation to heal, restore, and renew all existence.

This opening chapter invites readers, regardless of their background, to contemplate the deeper currents of cosmic and human history. It calls for a recognition of a pivotal turning point, a "Gaebyeok" (great opening or renewal), and an understanding of the profound spiritual work initiated by Sangjenim to guide humanity and the universe towards an era of true harmony and unity. It is a message that resonates deeply in our current age of global crises, offering a framework for understanding our challenges and a vision for a restored and enlightened future.

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Samsin Sangjenim and Spirit Teaching

1 At the great beginning, heaven and earth came into being. 2 Amidst the glorious resplendence of the sudden opening of the universe was Samsin. Samsin is the One Spirit, the universe’s Holy Spirit of Creation-Transformation.
3 Samsin gave birth to heaven and earth and begets all that exist.
4 Being one with Samsin, God governs all the universe from Heaven’s Golden Palace; and so it is that the people of Joseon, who have long dwelt in the Eastern land, have known him since ancient times as Samsin Sangjenim, Samsin God, or Sangjenim. 5 Sangjenim is the Supreme Governor of the Universe and God the Ruler.
6 Joseon of the East, the fountainhead and sovereign land of Spirit Teaching, has long worshiped Sangjenim and the spirits of heaven and earth. Joseon is the homeland of all the world’s traditions of offering rituals to the spirits.
7 Despite this, beginning in the Several States Period that followed the Three Sacred Nations known as Hwanguk, Baedal, and Joseon, ancient historical roots have been severed by the distortion of history by China’s Han people and by Japan, causing profound and widespread suffering.
8 Sangjenim incarnated as a human into the land of Joseon to deliver humans and spirits by restoring the root of humanity’s history and by renewing heaven and earth, which had grown diseased, through the dao of seeking out the beginning and returning to the origin.
9 It was his incarnation that had been heralded by Shakyamuni, Jesus, Confucius, and myriad other sages and awakened ones whom he had sent to the world. 
[JSD Dojeon 1:1]

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1) Samsin. 삼신 (三神). (Sam, “three,” or “threefold”; sin, “spirit.”) The Primordial Spirit that is one with the universe and is the source of all existence. The name Samsin signifies the three-part function of the Primordial Spirit that impels all existence via three means: by creating, by edifying, by governing.

2) Joseon. 조선 (朝鮮). An overarching term that encompasses the entire historical identity of the Korean people. Joseon is also synonymous with Ancient Joseon, or Dangun Joseon, in the context of the Three Sacred Nations (see 1:1:7). Joseon also was the name of Korea under the Yi Dynasty (1392–1910), an era known as the Joseon Dynasty.

3) Sangjenim. 상제(上帝)님. (Sang, “supreme”; je, “God the Ruler”; nim is an honorific suffix.) God the Ruler of the universe, whose formal title is Okhwang-Sangje (“Jade Emperor of Heaven”). Sangje is the same being that the Chinese call Shangdi.

4) Spirit Teaching. 신교 (神敎). Singyo (Sin, “spirit” or “God”; gyo, “teaching”). The source and impetus of the cultures in the East and West. As the archetypal culture that began at the dawn of human civilization, Spirit Teaching―the primordial spiritual culture, the ur-religion, of the East and West―was the source of all religions, political systems, and cultures. In Spirit Teaching, the spirits are distinguished as either nature spirits or anthropomorphic spirits, and people worship Samsin  Sangjenim, the spirits in heaven and earth,  ancestral spirits, and nature spirits.

5) Several States Period. 열국시대 (列國時代). Third century BCE to first century CE. Many states were founded during this period between the rise of North Buyeo, which succeeded Joseon (aka Ancient Joseon or Dangun Joseon), and the founding of the Four Kingdoms (Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, and Gaya)