[News Terms] The 'Jadeungmyeong Beopdeungmyeong' Passed to Song Young-gil

'Jadeungmyeongbeopdeungmyeong (自燈明法燈明)' means to take oneself as a lamp and rely on oneself, and to take the Dharma as a lamp and rely on the Dharma. It is known as the last teaching left by the Buddha to his disciples.

When the Buddha was suffering from a serious illness and death was near in Jukrimchon (竹林村), where he spent the twilight of his life, his chief disciple Ananda earnestly requested the Buddha for a final sermon.

The sermon the Buddha gave at that time was 'Jadeungmyeong (自燈明) Jagwiui (自歸依), Beopdeungmyeong (法燈明) Beopgwiui (自歸依).' It means 'Take yourself as a lamp and rely on yourself, take the truth (Dharma) as a lamp and rely on the truth (Dharma).' In other words, it means to take oneself and the truth as lamps and rely on them, but not to rely on anything else.

Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is returning to the country on the afternoon of the 24th through Incheon International Airport Terminal 1.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Originally, it is said that it was not 'deung (燈)' meaning lamp, but 'seom (도·島)' meaning island. It is said that when translated into Chinese characters, 'do' was changed to 'deung' and paraphrased. Even if interpreted as 'island,' the meaning does not change. It clearly conveys the intention to 'take oneself as an island and rely on oneself without relying on others, and rely on the Dharma without relying on anything else.'

Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and a key figure in the 2021 party convention cash envelope controversy, returned early from France on the 24th. The note handed to him by a woman at the airport contained the phrase 'Jadeungmyeong Beopdeungmyeong.'

In the Buddhist community, the teaching to keep the lamp within one's own mind and continue the Dharma is interpreted as meaning to see things as they are and practice them as they are. In other words, it means to accept and practice the natural law where flowers bloom in spring and fruits bear in autumn.

At the airport that day, about 200 people including reporters, supporters, and opponents of former leader Song were mixed, causing confusion. Supporters of former leader Song waved banners saying 'We believe in Song Young-gil' and 'We are comrades of the Democratic Party,' chanting "Song Young-gil," while opponents shouted "Arrest Song Young-gil." It was not confirmed whether the woman who handed the note was a supporter or an opponent.