Truth, Goodness, and Beauty: The Creative Virtue of Samsin

 

[眞·善·美는 三神의 創造 德性]

高麗八觀記의 三神說에 云

上界主神은 其號曰天一이시니
主造化하사 有絶對至高之權能하시며 無形而形하사
使萬物로 各通其性하시니 是爲淸眞大之軆也시오
下界主神은 其號曰地一이시니 
主敎化하사 有至善惟一之法力하시며 無爲而作하사
使萬物로 各知其命하시니 是爲善聖大之軆也시오
中界主神은 其號曰太一이시니
主治化하사 有最高無上之德量하시며 無言而化하사
使萬物로 各保其精하시니 是爲美能大之軆也시니라

然이나 主体則爲一上帝시니
非各有神也시며 作用則三神也시니라.

[Truth, Goodness, and Beauty: The Creative Virtue of Samsin]

The following is recorded in “Samsinseol” (“Treatise of the Triune Spirit”) of the Goryeo Palgwangi (“The Goryeo Dynasty’s Book of Eight Observations”) 

The spirit that presides over the upper realm is called the Heavenly One(天一). The Heavenly One creates and transforms harmoniously all things and possesses supreme and absolute power and authority. It takes form without forming and ensures that all things become enlightened to their inherent nature(性). This being is thus the great source of purity and truth[淸眞]. 

The spirit that presides over the lower realm is called the Earthly One(地一). The Earthly One edifies and nurtures harmoniously all things and possesses the peerless divine power of supreme benevolence. It creates without action and ensures all things understand the nature of their original life(命). This being is thus the great source of goodness and holiness[善聖]. 

The spirit that presides over the middle realm is called the Great One(太一). The Great One governs and rules harmoniously all things and possesses supreme and peerless virtue. It works without words and ensures all things preserve their pure essence(精). This being is thus the great source of beauty and wisdom[美能]. 

However, they are One God-Sangjenim. These are not three individual gods, but the functions of the One God that manifest as three spirits.