An Anthropological Approach to Sarkicism - Case Study 05: Seŭlga of the Korean Peninsular

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[[=]]
[[size 85%]][[[an-anthropological-approach-to-sarkicism-case-study-04-house|<< Case Study 04: House Kurinuka]]] | **Case Study 05: Korean Seŭlga** | Case Study 06: [Access Denied] >> [[/size]]
[[/=]]

++  **An Anthropological Approach to Sarkicism**

Dr Myo-yŏng Yi, Department of Anthropology

[[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]]
**Forward:**
Our understanding of [[[sarkicism-hub|Sarkicism]]] has changed dramatically over the last few decades. This information has revealed a diverse and shifting paradigm far different from the monolithic creed first hypothesised. We can now paint a broader, more detailed picture of the Sarkic religion, its various sects and cultural traditions.

Modern sects are the product of divergent interpretations, many bearing a mere superficial resemblance to their ancient progenitor cult. Most unexpected, especially among early scholars of Sarkicism such as myself, are the seemingly benevolent intentions of its founders. The road to hell, it is often said, is paved with good intentions - an aphorism the Foundation must always keep close in mind, for despite the aeons between us, we gaze into that very same abyss.

And like the ancient Sarkites, we have found it full of monsters.

Dr Myoyŏng Yi, an expert on the rise of anomalous religions in Asia, has contributed significantly with his discovery of Nälkite communities in his country, Korea. This report compiles his collection of information gained from dwelling among the //Seŭlga// people.

Dr Judith Low, Senior Adviser at the Department of History - Religious GoI Threat Analysis.
[[/div]]

+++ **Case Study 05: The Seŭlga of the Korean Peninsular**

**Overview:**

[[include component:image-block name=http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/sarkic-case-study-05-korean-seulga/800px-Korea-Yecheon_County-Gigokri-A_old_farmer_plowing_a_field_with_a_cow.jpg|caption=//Soŭl// hamlet resident crofting with cattle.]]

According to Korean mythological tradition, mountains harbour a mystical force, and the living of [[span class="ruby"]]//Se-ŭl-ga//[[span class="rt"]](세을가, 世乙加)[[/span]][[/span]](read @@[se'ɯ̽ɭ'ɡɐ]@@) people is no exception. The //Seŭlga// people, or the Seulgaites are a Sarkite community living deep in the [[a href="*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sobaek_Mountains"]]//Sobæk// mountain range[[/a]]. Unlike most other diasporic Sarkic cults, they are of exclusively Korean descent.

The Seŭlgaites dwell in the [[span class="ruby"]]//So-ŭl// hamlet[[span class="rt"]](소을촌, 瘙乙村)[[/span]][[/span]], located in an extradimensional space. Similar to other rural Korean communities, their lives are centred around subsistence crofting and animal husbandry. The current religious leader of the //Soŭl// hamlet is //Seŭljinin// [[span class="ruby"]]Myŏng-hyŏn[[span class="rt"]](명현, 明玄)[[/span]][[/span]].

**History:**

Unlike other Sarkic cults that emerged after the Sarkic diaspora from 1200 B.C.E to 1000 B.C.E, the //Seŭlga// were considerably less affected by the event. A considerable existence of Sarkic cults in neighboring countries suggests that the Korean Peninsula was also included within the influence of the Diaspora. However, circumstances implied in various literatures suggests that the proportion of ethnic Korean among the early believers of the //Seŭlga// was overwhelmingly large.

Seŭlga's history starts from the arrival of an entity, named [[span class="ruby"]][*https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%B2%98%EC%9A%A9 Chŏ-yong][[span class="rt"]](처용, 處容)[[/span]][[/span]] arrived at [[span class="ruby"]]Port //Gæ-un//[[span class="rt"]](개운포, 開雲浦)[[/span]][[/span]], //[*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Silla Silla]// on 879 A.D. According to the [[span class="ruby"]]"Mr. Chŏyong and the Temple of //Manghæ//"[[span class="rt"]]"Chŏ-yong-rang-mang-hæ-sa" (「처용랑망해사」, 處容郞望海寺)[[/span]][[/span]] from the non-anomalous manuscript [[span class="ruby"]]//[*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samguk_yusa the Mirabilia of the Three Kingdoms]//[[span class="rt"]]//Sam-guk-yu-sa// (『삼국유사』, 三國遺事)[[/span]][[/span]], [[a href="*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heongang_of_Silla"]]King //Hŏngang//[[/a]], the then-king of Silla, became lost at the seashore due to fog and clouds. After the court astrologer told the king that the dragon of the eastern sea created such phenomena, the king built a temple for the dragon. The dragon, pleased by the king's work, brought with it its seven sons. The sons played instruments, sang and danced in front of the king, praising his good deeds, after which one of the sons followed the king to the capital of Silla. This son was Chŏyong. The King appointed him as the [[span class="ruby"]]official 9th-rank[[span class="rt"]]//Gŭp-gan// (급간, 級干)[[/span]][[/span]] to aid him with his governance.

Another tale known in the non-anomalous world was that the king arranged a marriage for Chŏyong to a lovely lady, to win his favour. However, a [[span class="ruby"]]pox demon,[[span class="rt"]]//Yŏk-sin// (역신, 疫神)[[/span]][[/span]] jealous of Chŏyong, morphed into a human and snuck into his house to commit adultery with his wife. Chŏyong, returning home, witnessed two people lying together in his wife's bed. He then walked out singing and dancing. The song was called [[span class="ruby"]]"//Chŏ-yong-ga//"[[span class="rt"]](처용가, 處容歌)[[/span]][[/span]], and the dance was called [[span class="ruby"]]"//Chŏ-yong-mu//"[[span class="rt"]](처용무, 處容舞)[[/span]][[/span]]. After listening to this, the pox demon kneeled in front of him. It begged for forgiveness, promising to never appear in front of his face, including in drawings, and then disappeared. Later the people of Silla would hang portraits of Chŏyong on the door to prevent plagues.

As such, the Seŭlgaites consider Chŏyong, a historical figure widely known in the non-anomalous world, to be the founder of Seŭlga. According to Seŭlgaite records, its spread started after his arrival and expanded under the implicit approval of the Crown. Its expansion slowed down after the founding of [[a href="*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goryeo"]]the //Goryŏ// dynasty[[/a]]. But there was minimal persecution because Buddism was //Goryŏ//'s state religion. The earliest written records of Seŭlgaite hamlets date back to this period. 

[[a href="*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseon"]]The //Josŏn// dynasty[[/a]] proved harsher for the Seŭlgaites, some of whom forming communities of their own and others of whom lived among relative proximity to the non-anomalous world. Due to //Josŏn//'s policy of backing Confucianism and suppressing Buddhism, the Seŭlgaites who were caught in such pogroms found themselves a target of the [[span class="ruby"]]Not-saying Temporary Inspectorate[[span class="rt"]]//Bul-ŏ-do-gam// (불어도감, 不語都監)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]] The first anti-paranormal secret agency of the Josŏn dynastic government, established in the year of 1600. Its name came from [[span class="ruby"]]“Confucius never did saying of[[span class="rt"]](자불어, 子不語)[[/span]][[/span]] [[span class="ruby"]]the abnormal[[span class="rt"]](괴, 怪)[[/span]][[/span]], [[span class="ruby"]]the powerful[[span class="rt"]](력, 力)[[/span]][[/span]], [[span class="ruby"]]the disorderly[[span class="rt"]](난, 亂)[[/span]][[/span]], or [[span class="ruby"]]the spiritual[[span class="rt"]](신, 神)[[/span]][[/span]]”, a phrase from [[span class="ruby"]]//[*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analects the Analects]//[[span class="rt"]](『논어』, 論語)[[/span]][[/span]] Book no. 7, [[span class="ruby"]]"the Book of Describing."[[span class="rt"]](「술이편」, 述而篇)[[/span]][[/span]] [[/footnote]] and its successor, the [[span class="ruby"]]Anti-abomination Guard[[span class="rt"]]//I-gŭm-wi// (이금위, 異禁衛)[[/span]][[/span]]. Anomalous defensive measures, a trait of Seŭlgaite communities to this day, are thought to have been developed from this period. //Seŭlga// became a an entirely underground religion, spread covertly amongst the lower class.

Aggressions by the normalcy preservation agencies lessened as years passed. However, alongside the non-anomalous crofting population, the Seŭlgaites consequently suffered from increased extortion and government corruption. Therefore, they attempted to step into the non-anomalous world as Josŏn opened its port and society experienced rapid changes. However, such attempts were thwarted by the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910 and the invasion of //Soŭl// hamlet in 1912.

The original //Soŭl// hamlet was located on top of [[span class="ruby"]][[a href="*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jirisan"]]Mount //Jiri//[[/a]][[span class="rt"]](지리산, 智異山)[[/span]][[/span]] and was equipped with various anomalous defenses including pretermemetic wardings similar to [[[SCP-3855]]] or [[[SCP-3440]]], SK-BIO organisms bred for fortification, and the sigil system similar to [[a href="*/an-anthropological-approach-to-sarkicism-case-study-02-the-d"]]the //Ūrma// of //Divoši//[[/a]]. Moreover, it was a holy land for the Seŭlgaites, as it is the first hamlet that Chŏyong purportedly built. IJAMEA reports claim that in April of 1912, five platoons under the command of Major Hanno Nikaho and Major Shinpei Hiranuma attacked this hamlet according to [[[ijamea-hub|Operation Hakutaku III]]], killing an unspecified number of few residents, including the then //Jinin// [[span class="ruby"]]Pa-yŏm[[span class="rt"]](파염, 播染)[[/span]][[/span]]. Most captured //Soŭl// hamlet residents are thought to have been transferred to bases in //Josŏn// and have fallen victims to numerous biological experiments. The platoon also looted many holy and historical artefacts in the hamlet, destroying most hamlets' facilities. //Soŭl// hamlet was left in devastation. From this point, the Seŭlgaites developed an intense hatred for the Japanese empire. Some members took action, joining resistance movements against the empire.

As Korea regained independence, the Seŭlgaites had an opportunity to rebuild after years of hardship. However, this hope was lost when the Korean civil war started in 1950. The war devastated most //Seŭlga// communities, as it divided the Korean peninsula in two, breaking all contact with Seŭlgaites in the North. After the war, the Southern Seŭlgaites rebuilt the //Soŭl// hamlet, which lives on till this day.

**Culture, Tradition, and Misconceptions:**

While “//Seŭlga//” shares phonetic traits with the term ‘Sarkic,’ this resemblance is only coincidental. In fact, "//Seŭlga//" is the transcription of "Nälkä" using [[span class="ruby"]]//[*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idu_script I-du]//,[[span class="rt"]](이두, 吏讀)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]] The way of transcribing ancient Korean language, using both semantic and phonetic methods of reading Chinese characters. Combining both methods makes it harder to infer the original meaning and pronunciation of a word from its current way of reading.
The transformation of Nälkä into //Seŭlga// is thought to be as follows:
"Nälkä" can be broken into three syllables; Nä＋l＋kä. The "lkä" is __phonetically__ transcribed as [[span class="ruby"]]"乙加"[[span class="rt"]]//Ŭl-ga//[[/span]][[/span]]. The "Nä" in the front sounds similar to the ancient Korean word [[span class="ruby"]]"내"[[span class="rt"]]//Næ//[[/span]][[/span]], meaning "world", thus it is __semantically__ transcribed with the Chinese letter [[span class="ruby"]]"世"[[span class="rt"]]//se//[[/span]][[/span]], which means "world". During the Silla period, "世乙加" was most likely read as "//Næ-ŭl-kæ//". However, as time passed, Idu was forgotten, leaving only the phonetic transcription of the word, changing "//Næ//" into "//Se//", and "//Kæ//" into "//ga//".
Similarly, the name of [[a href="*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyeokgeose_of_Silla"]]//Silla//'s first monarch[[/a]] has two methods of transcribing, [[span class="ruby"]]"//Hyŏk-gŏ-se//"[[span class="rt"]](혁거세, 赫居世)[[/span]][[/span]] and [[span class="ruby"]]"//Bul-gu-næ//"[[span class="rt"]](불구내, 弗矩內)[[/span]][[/span]]. These also show the correspondence of "//se//" and "//næ//". In this case, as well, the closer reading of that time would be "//Bulgunæ//".[[/footnote]] which became the name of the community and their religious practices. Because of this, Seŭlgaites refer to other Sarkic sects as "//Seŭlga//" too. Their religious doctrines are heavily influenced by Korean Buddhism, which is thought to result from their history of hiding their beliefs from external eyes, during and after the Joeson dynasty.

The most distinct part is their hierarchy. //Seŭlga// does not share titles that other Sarkic sects use (//Karcist//, //Võlutaar//, etc.). There is a strict distinction between tiers, but no tier is granted specific power over others; a characteristic potentially influenced by Buddhism. The Seŭlgaite hierarchy is as follows:

* Dharma Brethren (//Bŏp-u//, 법우, 法友): Laymen. Corresponds to //Orin// or //Zend// of other sects.
* Bhadanta (//Dæ-dŏk//, 대덕, 大德), which means “the greatly virtuous”: Corresponds to //Võlutaar// of other sects. They are disciples training for the role of //Jinin//, but not everyone can be //Jinin//.
* //Se-ŭl-Jin-in// (세을진인, 世乙眞人): Corresponds to //Karcist//. Commonly abbreviated to "//Jin-in//".[[footnote]] [[span class="ruby"]]"//Jin-in//"[[span class="rt"]](진인, 眞人)[[/span]][[/span]] means "the enlightened" or "the perfected". This word is not a pure Buddhist vocabulary, but rather from Taoism or Chinese //Zen// Buddhism, which was affected by Taoism. //Zen// Buddhism's presence in //Silla// precedes Chŏyong by roughly a century; hence //Seŭlga// adopted features of //Zen// Buddhism while taking the form of Buddhism. This also suggests that the Buddhism that had influenced //Seŭlga// was not the original Indian Buddhism but a localised version to fit Korea.[[/footnote]]
* Arhat (//Jon-ja//, 존자, 尊者), which means, “the venerable who has reached the attainment”: Corresponds to the Four //Klavigars//.
* Śāstāmanusyānāṃ (//Chŏn-in-gyo-sa//, 천인교사, 天人教師), which means, “the teacher of every human”: Corresponds to the //Ozi̮rmok//.

Seŭlgaites believe that Ion will return someday and lead them to //Ikunaan//. According to their beliefs, Ion currently resides in [[span class="ruby"]][[a href="*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tushita"]]the //Tuṣita// Heaven[[/a]][[span class="rt"]]//Do-sol-chŏn// (도솔천, 兜率天)[[/span]][[/span]], constantly fighting against six [[span class="ruby"]]Māra[[span class="rt"]](마라, 魔羅)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]]Corresponds to Archons. [[/footnote]] and their leader, [[span class="ruby"]]Paranimmitavaśavatti　Māra Pāpīyās.[[span class="rt"]]//Ta-hwa-ja-jæ-chŏn-wang// (타화자재천왕) //Ma-ra-Pa-sun// (마라파순)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]]Corresponds to Yaldabaoth. [[/footnote]] This belief in the promise of return and the accompanying utopia contains similarities with the [[span  class="ruby"]]Maitreya[[span class="rt"]]//Mi-rŭk// (미륵, 彌勒)[[/span]][[/span]] cult.[[footnote]] An unorthodox folkish Buddhist faith with extreme messianist tendencies. [*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maitreya Maitreya] is a Buddhist equivalent of [*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraism Mithra]. [[/footnote]] In fact, the belief in Ion as Maitreya has risen in the turbulent ages in Korean history. However, this theory is not widely accepted within the //Seŭlga// community, and remained as an unfounded historical claim.

The core of //Seŭlga//'s doctrine is that any being can reach //Ikunaan//, through the practice of asceticism. A notable //Seŭlga// aphorism teaches that “all living organisms already fulfill the basic requirements for ascendance, and realising it is the start of ascending.” Conversely, another aphorism warns that although ascending can make anyone equally great as Ion, nonetheless one cannot transcend Ion and become wiser than him; a highly egalitarian theology. These egalitarian ideas also influenced the racial composition of the Seŭlgaites; non-human species such as [[span class="ruby"]][[[gumiho|demon fox]]][[span class="rt"]]//yo-ho// (요호, 妖狐)[[/span]][[/span]] and [[span class="ruby"]]//[[[SCP-1000|sŏng-sŏng]]]//[[span class="rt"]](성성이, 猩猩)[[/span]][[/span]] can be embraced and accepted as their brethren.

Another critical aspect of Seulgaite doctrine is the concept of “the sin of excess” --  going beyond the ideal is as wrong as falling short of it. Excessiveness calls for [[span class="ruby"]][*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleshas_(Buddhism) Kleśa][[span class="rt"]](번뇌, 煩惱)[[/span]][[/span]], an unwholesome mental state leading to suffering and sinning. Seulgaites consider Ion to have been guilty of excess by building an empire and forcing his people into the hellfire of war; however, they believe that Ion has repented and is currently fighting an endless battle against the Māra for redemption.

The most notable difference between //Seŭlga// and other Sarkic cults is its approach to immortality. Most Sarkic cults consider mortality as something that should rightfully be removed; however, Seŭlgaites are the opposite, considering immortality another form of excessiveness. The //Seŭlga// book [[span class="ruby"]]//Hangŭl Annotation of Seŭlgaite Book of Undeceiving//[[span class="rt"]]//Se-ŭl-yu-chæk-ŏn-hæ// (『세을유책언해』, 世乙喩冊諺解)[[/span]][[/span]] reads: 
> “Just like excessive greed, hatred or power, excessive pain is also a sin. Excess rots and loses its purpose. Morphing one's flesh in hopes of achieving more life than given will doom your essence to resemble Māra.”[[footnote]] Chŏyong seems to be the only exception. His description suggests that he achieved biological immortality before reaching Silla. Interestingly, it was Chŏyong that taught to refuse immortality.[[/footnote]]
As such, Seŭlgaite fleshcrafting specialises in the cure of livestock and humans from disease. This does not mean typical fleshcrafting is non-existent, but its practices were rare in part due to this belief and in part due to the Seulgaites’ reluctance to interfere with the non-anomalous world.

The names of the four //Klavigars// and //Ozi̮rmok// changed over time, caused by the initial transcription to //Idu// and then the [[span class="ruby"]]Han (漢)[[span class="rt"]]Chinese script[[/span]][[/span]]-ification later. Nadox became [[span class="ruby"]]//Næ-do-ji//[[span class="rt"]](내도지, 奈度只)[[/span]][[/span]], Orok became [[span class="ruby"]]//O-ŭl-ji//[[span class="rt"]](오을지, 烏乙只)[[/span]][[/span]], Lovataar became [[span class="ruby"]]//No-a-dæ-ŭl//[[span class="rt"]](노아대을, 魯阿大乙)[[/span]][[/span]], and Saarn became [[span class="ruby"]]//Sa-ŭl-ŭn//[[span class="rt"]](사을은, 沙乙隱)[[/span]][[/span]]. The transcription of Ion's name is unclear. The Seulgaites call Ion only by honorifics such as Śāstāmanusyānāṃ or Bhagavat.

The current //Soŭl// hamlet is an entirely extradimensional village that can be accessed by a portal somewhere in the Sobæk mountain range. Since the 1950s, //Seŭlga// went under the radar of normality institutes, such as the Foundation and the GOC. Searches around Mount Jiri, where the original //Soŭl// hamlet was located, bore no results. However, the significant discovery of the current Soul hamlet came from the most unexpected source.

[[<]]
[[include component:image-block
name= http://scpko.wikidot.com/local--files/migueludeom/20131101195335%21Antti_Aarne.png|
caption=[*https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Antti_Aarne.png#mw-jump-to-license Rauno Näränen], 1971, Finland.|
align=right|
width=100px]]
[[/<]]

Professor [*http://scp-int.wikidot.com/scp-1828-jp Rauno Näränen] 's thesis (1976), published in //General Journal of the New Folkloristics// Issue No. 13, discusses //Seŭlga// extensively. Professor Näränen mentioned that he had the opportunity to enter the place with a graduate student, [*http://scp-int.wikidot.com/dinodon-s-hand Kyllikki Nykänen]. He wrote: “The //Soŭl// hamlet dwellers are simple and caring. They do not sway with the tide of outside modernisation, keeping their traditions and slow pace of life. Despite this, their harvests consist of very little compared to other villages.” Due to Professor Näränen's records, the Foundation could obtained valuable insight into the Seŭlga, but still had no means of physical entry to the village.[[footnote]]Deducing from the attitudes of some Seŭlgaites we've met later, the Professor did not disclose the location and entry methods of the village.[[/footnote]] The only clue was Hampyŏng Cattle Market, the location where he claimed to meet the Seŭlgaites.

After two days searching the //Ham-pyŏng// Cattle Market, we finally met a Seŭlgaite. The man, who went by the name [[span class="ruby"]]Pak Yung[[span class="rt"]](박융, 朴融)[[/span]][[/span]], accepted our request to visit his village after brief hesitation. We returned the next day as he requested and met two other men from the hamlet. Both were born and raised in the hamlet and kept livestock, who drove us to their village. I tried to track out route using GPS, but at a certain point, all our electronic gadgets stopped working, including mobile phones and laptops. The phone and laptops started working again after entering the village, but we still could not send our coordinates to the Foundation.

About 70 people lived in the //Soŭl// hamlet, which had a noticeably younger population than other crofting settlements. Some pursued their family business of crofting or herding, but the Seulgaites reported that many others moved out to cities in search of jobs, so we estimate there are more Seŭlgaites than those present in the hamlet. The most noticeable point was their relationship with the outside world. In terms of doctrine, //Seŭlga// falls into the Proto-Sarkic category; however, they have experienced far more years of interaction with the outside world than years of outright isolation. Modern //Seŭlga// communities do not shun contact with the outside world due to their historical experiences, and they were still wary of outsiders visiting them. I was graced with a nine-day stay.

The first Sarkic feature we noticed in the //Soŭl// hamlet were unidentified SK-BIO organisms used for drawing a plow. According to the men who drove us here, the creatures were from non-anomalous cattle (//Bos taurus//), which compose the majority of the cattle population in the hamlet.[[footnote]]The cattle which Seŭlgaites sell to various external dealers such as the //Hampyŏng// Cattle market are all non-anomalous. Seŭlgaites refrain from exposing their anomalous nature.[[/footnote]] Healthy calves are used for milk, meat, and breeding, while unhealthy or weak calves are grown into an SK-BIO organism. The resulting lifeform is reportedly tame and compliant, and very efficient.

Twenty metres away from //Soŭl// hamlet's entrance, there is [[span class="ruby"]]//Mong-ŭn// Temple[[span class="rt"]](몽은사, 朦誾寺)[[/span]][[/span]], the only remaining //Seŭlga// temple. The temple is comprised of six buildings: the [[span class="ruby"]]Hall of the Greater Hero[[span class="rt"]]//Dæ-ung-jŏn// (대웅전, 大雄殿)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]] This hall is a place of worshiping the [*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha Shakyamuni Buddha] in [*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana Mahāyāna Buddhism]. The //Mongŭn// temple worships Ion here.[[/footnote]], the [[span class="ruby"]]Hall of the Great Serenity and Light [[span class="rt"]]//Dæ-jŏk-gwang-jŏn// (대적광전, 大寂光殿)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]] Originally a hall dedicated for worshiping the [*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vairocana Vairocana Buddha]. //Mongŭn// temple worships Ahrat //Noadæŭl// here.[[/footnote]], the [[span class="ruby"]]Hall of the Paradise [[span class="rt"]]//Gŭk-rak-jŏn// (극락전, 極樂殿)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]] Originally a hall dedicated for worshiping the [*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amit%C4%81bha Amitābha Buddha], The //Mongŭn// temple worships Ahrat //Oŭlji// here.[[/footnote]], the [[span class="ruby"]]Hall of the Universal Penetration [[span class="rt"]]//Wŏn-tong-jŏn// (원통전, 圓通殿)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]] Originally a hall dedicated for worshiping [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva]. The //Mongŭn// temple worships Ahrat //Nædoji// here.[[/footnote]], the [[span class="ruby"]]Hall of the Healer [[span class="rt"]]//Yak-sa-jŏn// (약사전, 藥師殿)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]] Originally a hall dedicated for worshiping [*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaisajyaguru Bhaiṣajyaguru Buddha]. The //Mongŭn// temple worships Ahrat //Saŭlŭn// here.[[/footnote]], and the [[span class="ruby"]]Hall of the //Jinin// [[span class="rt"]]//Jin-in-jŏn// (진인전, 眞人殿)[[/span]][[/span]].[[footnote]] Its original form is the [[span class="ruby"]]Hall of the Founding Master [[span class="rt"]]//Jo-sa-jŏn// (조사전, 祖師殿)[[/span]][[/span]] or the [[span class="ruby"]]Hall of the National Master[[span class="rt"]]//Guk-sa-jŏn// (국사전, 國師殿)[[/span]][[/span]], which keeps the memorial tablets or icons of monks who founded a sect, respected, built a temple, or was a chief monk. The //Mongŭn// temple worships the Greater //Jinin// Chŏyong here.[[/footnote]] The temple is used as a school to teach //Seŭlga// doctrines to  young Seŭlgaites, and also serves as a banquet hall for communal observances. Only the //Jinin// and the Bhadantas can live here. The current residents of the temple are //Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn, Bhadanta [[span class="ruby"]]Gwan-jo[[span class="rt"]](관조, 觀照)[[/span]][[/span]] and Bhadanta [[span class="ruby"]]Si-myŏng[[span class="rt"]](시명, 是名)[[/span]][[/span]].

According to //Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn, the building of the Hall of the Greater Hero is crafted with the body of the former //Seŭljinin// [[span class="ruby"]]Wŏn-gwang[[span class="rt"]](원광, 圓光)[[/span]][[/span]]. It appears that the bodies of the //Jinin// or respected ones are used as materials for the building. The //Jinin// added that other halls are built with livestock such as cattle or horses. Despite its lack of modern equipment, the building can illuminate its interiors and open its windows following the //Jinin//'s operation. Such functions are presumably achieved with fleshcrafting.

Organisms used as building material are biologically dead, unlike other SK-BIO 005 usage of other cults. The //Jinin// commented on this that it is simply "excessive" for a being to live forever as a structure. If a person wishes to donate their body, they wait until their death is imminent and start the process then to allow the deceased to leave this world in comfort. The same applies to livestock.

The relatively large number of //Jinins// makes the influences of individual //Jinins// not absolute. Unlike other Sarkic orders, Seŭlgaite //Jinin// resembles a Buddhist abbot rather than a cult leader. Most Seŭlgaites I met showed respect and followed the //Jinin// but naturally agreed that they would do the same to other contemporary and future //Jinins//. Such thought is not considered disrespectful nor unnatural.

From a traditional Foundation's perspective, it can be said that //Seŭlga// takes the form of a collective leadership system consisting of multiple //Karcists// and //Võlutaars//. Stemming from this fact, some claim that //Seŭljinin// Chŏyong is the "only" //Karcist// leading //Seŭlga// //de facto//, and other //Jinins// correspond to //Võlutaars// //de facto//. However, there is an evident difference between the //Jinin//, the //Karcists// //de jure//, and the Bhadanta, the  //Võlutaars// //de jure//. And the most revered //Seŭljinin// Chŏyong, who called as [[span class="ruby"]]the Greater //Jinin//[[span class="rt"]]//Dæ-jin-in// (대진인, 大眞人)[[/span]][[/span]], and other //Jinins// are only marginally different, in terms of religious hierarchy.

[[collapsible show="＋ Interviewee: Seŭljinin Myŏnghyŏn" hide="－ Access Granted"]]
[[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]]

**Audio log**
[[include component:image-block name=http://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/local--files/sarkic-case-study-05-korean-seulga/Dkh.png |caption=[*https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dkh.PNG#mw-jump-to-license Jinin Myŏnghyŏn.]|width=280px]]
**Record Date:** 2017/05/30 @ 19:00
**Interviewer:** Dr. Yi Myoyeŏng
**Interviewee:** //Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn
**Foreword:** After about six hours since entering the village, I was allowed an interview with the //Jinin// after dinner. The villagers didn't seem uncomfortable with my request. The jinin, the person with the highest religious rank in the hamlet, was waiting for me in //Mongŭn// temple's Hall of the Greater Hero.
-----

[Start of transcript]

**Dr. Yi:** Nice to meet you, //Seŭljinin// Myŏnghyŏn. Should I call you //Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn, or-

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** [Chuckles] Just "Master" will be fine. I am nothing but a monk. I hope you found the dish well.

**Dr. Yi:** Couldn't be more appetising. Thank you for your hospitality and also for agreeing to meet me. I presume it was not an easy decision to let an outsider in the hamlet. To be frank, I expected the community to be more exclusive.

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyon:** [Subtly smiling] Our hamlet is not a hermit settlement in secrets. It is just that we are not under the jurisdiction of any local governments in Korea. There were occasional visitors aside from you, all of whom received what they desired. Our Greater //Jinin// also had been an outsider, hence the //Seŭlga// people know not to dare reject wandering travellers.

**Dr. Yi:** I see. Oh, I was going to ask you about the "Greater //Jinin//." The villagers told me that the Greater //Jinin// means very much in the local culture. Can you tell me about this entity -- or this person?

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** Indeed I can. [Brief pause] Our Greater //Jinin// is the first to spread //Seŭlga// onto this land. As a disciple of the [[span class="ruby"]]Bhagavat[[span class="rt"]]//Se-jon// (세존, 世尊)[[/span]][[/span]],[[footnote]] Ion is also referred to as Bhagavat in //Seŭlga// mythology. Bhagavat means “the noblest on this world,” and is commonly used to refer to Shakyamuni Buddha in orthodox Buddhism.[[/footnote]] he learned the way of the //Seŭlga// with four Great Arhats and other Dharma brethren under the rule of [[span class="ruby"]]//Jeba// State[[span class="rt"]](제바국, 提婆國)[[/span]][[/span]].[[footnote]]Thought to refer to [[[SCP-140|the Daevite]]]. [[/footnote]] But the Bhagavat lost his [[span class="ruby"]]Dharmachakra[[span class="rt"]]//Bŏb-ryun// (법륜, 法輪)[[/span]][[/span]], and instead lifted the [[span class="ruby"]]Suvarnachakra[[span class="rt"]]//Gŭm-ryung// (금륜, 金輪)[[/span]][[/span]] up to be the [[span class="ruby"]]Suvarnachakravarti[[span class="rt"]](전륜성왕, 轉輪聖王)[[/span]][[/span]].[[footnote]]Presumed to mean Ion during the Kalmactama Empire.[[/footnote]] and threw himself into the fire of retribution against the endless turmoil. Chŏyong, deplored and left him, brought one bhadanta and two brethren to the realm of //Silla//, after a stay in [[span class="ruby"]]//Gwi-san// Fortress[[span class="rt"]](귀산성, 貴山城)[[/span]][[/span]]. That's what had been recorded on [[span class="ruby"]]//[*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samguk_sagi the Scribal Records of the Three Kingdoms]//.[[span class="rt"]]//Sam-guk-sa-gi// (『삼국사기』, 三國史記)[[/span]][[/span]]

**Dr. Yi:** Do you mean the Chŏyong mythology contained on //the Mirabilia// is also true? There it records that the dragon, pleased by the //Manghæ// Temple, brought along its seven sons, of which the youngest, Chŏyong, followed King //Hŏngang//. Also, there is the story of him, his wife, and the pox demon.

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** Every mythology is a statue sculpted out of history. The legend of our Greater //Jinin// is no exception, only it has some truth hidden behind the veil of parables and symbols. Let's take the story about his wife and the pox demon, for example. As you recalled, //the Mirabilia// depicts a story of our Greater //Jinin//'s wife, who committed adultery with the pox demon. Chŏyong, who seen it, sang, “Two of the legs belong to me, but whose are another two legs?” Then the pox demon, repenting, promising never to enter anywhere with his image. That story lived on to future generations, and the portrait of Chŏyong became a symbol of [[span class="ruby"]]warding off evil and embracing goodness[[span class="rt"]]//Byŏ-sa-jin-gyŏng// (벽사진경,  辟邪進慶)[[/span]][[/span]]. 

**Dr. Yi:** That was awfully detailed.

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** [Laughter] Because it's a story I've heard since I was very young. There are a few but essential modifications to that story. For instance……, Chŏyong's wife was not his wife, but the Bhadanta who followed him.

**Dr. Yi:** Bhadanta, you say? Does that mean…… the Bhadanta caught smallpox?

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** That is... not the case, no. She had committed adultery with the pox diety.  Her name is Bhadanta Nahksatihaar, better known by her nickname, [[span class="ruby"]]"Deer-legged Lady."[[span class="rt"]]//Nok-jok-bu-in// (녹족부인, 鹿足婦人)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]] Deer-legged Lady is an entity in the folklore of [[a href="*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamgyong_Province"]]//Ham-gyŏng// Province[[/a]], with a lower body of a deer and a upper body of a woman. Her folklore mainly contains the motif of preventing war. [[/footnote]] She was the highest advisor of our Greater //Jinin//…… with ample knowledge and understanding of the doctrine and embracing the ill and the untouchable with endless empathy. However……, she was seduced by the pox demon to betray our Greater //Jinin//. Chŏyong defeated the pox demon and her followers and retrieved his Bhadanta.

**Dr. Yi:** Pox demon……. So, this entity was some sort of evil spirit? Would you mind elaborating?

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** [Brief pause] They were followers of a high matriarch of the //Jeba// state, comprised of three exiled Jebaite aristocrats and a man from //Silla//. They're told to wander around Northeast Asia, spreading pox as they go. There is still a shamanistic ritual worshipping them. 

It was a fierce battle. Her followers were strong, and the evil Jebaite jealousy derailing them from [[span class="ruby"]]Āryāmārga[[span class="rt"]]//Jŏng-do// (정도, 正道)[[/span]][[/span]]. The Great //Jinin// warned…… that joining //Seŭlga// is not just following the [[span class="ruby"]]Sila and Vinaya[[span class="rt"]]//Gye-yul// (계율, 戒律)[[/span]][[/span]] and the teaching of the ancient sages, but also walking the path of apotheosis and [*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha mokṣa] by ourselves. Which her followers failed…….

**Dr. Yi:** Hold on, are you saying the pox demon's followers believed in //Seŭlga//?

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** Misguided, but yes.[[footnote]] It is not known what kind of this Sarkic cult was. According to the established theory, Sarkicism was the worst enemy of Daeva. If his statement wass true, the cult in question must be quite unusual. [[/footnote]] [Long pause] For your own good, I have to warn you not to ask about the pox demon's clique anywhere else in this hamlet.

**Dr. Yi:** How so?

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** [Brief pause] I don't want you to get hurt, doctor.

**Dr. Yi:** I…… see. I'll keep that in mind. Then, on to the next question. What does the legend recorded on //the Mirabilia// mean? The dragon of the eastern sea and its seven sons…….

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** [Short silence] It means his long struggle. The inescapable pain of his bloodline……, the anguish of the shaped……, those are his torments, which we…… cannot dare discuss so lightly, especially when it comes to him……. [Long silence]

**Dr. Yi:** My apologies. When did //Jinin// Chŏyong pass away? I wasn't able to find records about him after the legend.

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** [Grins slightly] How could our Greater //Jinin// pass away? He was taught by the Bhagavat himself. Death cannot affect him. [Sighs] However, such immortality caused him even heavier Kleśa. He realised the cease of mortality does not mean breaking the fetter but instead being trapped into another fetter. The sight of crofters[[footnote]]The words about shepherd and peasantry are often used interchangeably by Seŭlgaites, presumably because agriculture has traditionally been more important than animal pastoralism in the Korean Peninsula.[[/footnote]] rotting alive……. Witnessing them drove our Greater //Jinin// into sadness.

**Dr. Yi:** So, it means that //Jinin// Chŏyong still lives.

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** Because he is different from other //Jinins//. His immortality is…… a yoke…… burdened upon him to protect //Seŭlga//.

**Dr. Yi:** Excuse my discourtesy, but is that the only difference between your Greater //Jinin// and other //Jinins//, who became the //Jinins// after the founding of //Seŭlga//?

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** In what manner?

**Dr. Yi:** Position……, or such. Actually, I was curious if…… the Greater //Jinin// was leading //Seŭlga//.

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyon:** You can think of that this way: his relationship to us is the Bodhisattva's relationship to the ascetics. [Brief pause] He vowed to save all lives and lead them to //Ikunaan//, and //Jinins// like me were raised to achieve that aspiration. Our Greater //Jinin// is celebrated as the initiator, but only that; his words are respected no more than ours. There's this saying: "Blind faith is a leash that leads all to Kleśa."

**Dr. Yi:** Are there any //Jinins// after the Greater //Jinin// who achieved or pursued immortality?

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** There are quite a few who tried... but only to die. They did live slightly longer than ordinary folk, but what meaning does prolonged life has when you cannot be truly human? Every single one of them turned to resemble Māra…… and finally their minds collapsed, corrupting to less than human. Some of them became bloodthirsty monsters, and some tried to contact Māra to exploit their power.

**Dr. Yi:** What happened to them?

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** [Light grin] Those blinded by greed wreak havoc to all. We cannot allow a former Seŭlgaite to cause pain, so we return them to the cycle.

-----------

**Afterword:** Just then, the great bell signalling afternoon prayer rang, and I stepped out of the Hall of the Greater Hero after thanking the //Jinin//. The story of Chŏyong that I gathered from this interview is quite interesting. I can now know where the tranquil atmosphere of the //Soŭl// hamlet came from. Also, this was an excellent opportunity to know how much //Seŭlga// interfered with non-anomalous history. The last bit of information is significant, as there are seceders despite //Seŭlga//'s negligence of immortality and power. Do all Sarkic cults have people that contact Archon to quench their thirst for greater power? Nevertheless, I asked the exact meaning of “returning them to the cycle,” but got no answer.

My conclusions go against the traditional view of the Foundation, but I think the division of Chŏyong, a traditional //Karcist//, and other //Jinins// cannot accurately reflect the structure of //Seŭlga//. //Seŭlga//'s peculiarity surely will bring about some controversy, but the inner power structure has a stark difference to other Sarkic cults. Hence, trying to fit //Seŭlga// into the Foundation's original mindset may lead to some misunderstandings.

[[/div]]
[[/collapsible]]

Further research revealed additional information about //Seŭlga//'s unique art of sigils, related to the legend of Chŏyong and pox demon. As the legend suggests, their art of sigils specialises in the protection and warding off.

Seŭlgaite art of sigils follows three basic steps. First: one prepares paper, blood, and a brush. What animal the blood comes from is irrelevant, but it is thought to have mainly originated from the users themselves, or cattle, chicken, or pigs. Second: the user draws Chŏyong's face with the blood. It is essential that the user accurately depicts his auspiciousness. In modern terms, it is putting an emphasis on implementing the algorithm of thaumatological warding. Third: stick the portrait on the door, and paint the top with blood.

[*http://contents.history.go.kr/front/km/view.do?levelId=km_023_0070_0040_0030 Chŏyong's face known to the modern world] is thought to have undergone multiple changes. This is thought to be because the other people tried unsuccessful imitation of Seŭlgaite art of sigils, which is based on hemomancy; therefore, only Seŭlgaites can use. Examples of the early modern usage of the art have also been observed. For example, there are multiple records of Seŭlgaites distributing genuine portraits of Chŏyong to the public to combat the rapidly spreading epidemic during the great famine of 1670.

//Soŭl// hamlet does not celebrate special Sarkic observances. Rather, it celebrates traditional Korean observances, with one addition. May 11th on the lunar calendar is the [[span class="ruby"]]“the Feast of //Jinin// Advent,”[[span class="rt"]]//Jin-in-do-ræ-il// (진인도래일, 眞人到來日)[[/span]][[/span]] celebrating the day when Chŏyong's first arrival on //Silla//. This day is the most important observance for the Seŭlgaites along with [[span class="ruby"]]lunar new year feast[[span class="rt"]]//Gu-jŏng// (구정, 舊正)[[/span]][[/span]] and [[span class="ruby"]]autumnal harvest feast[[span class="rt"]]//Chu-sŏk// (추석, 秋夕)[[/span]][[/span]]. Seŭlgaites prepare this observance for about a week, and Seŭlgaites living outside returning their hometown can be seen in this period.[[footnote]]Seŭlgaites seem to be more widespread among all of Korea. There were more returning home than the permanent residents of the hamlet. They seem to be living in Korean society without any problem.[[/footnote]] I was fortunate enough to observe the observance one day after arriving. 

The Feast of //Jinin// Advent continues from morning to evening. People spend time with their families from morning to lunch. After lunch, they join the Mass-like ceremony held at //Mongŭn// temple. The ceremony is called [[span class="ruby"]]“Jinin Bodhimaṇḍa,”[[span class="rt"]]//Jin-in-do-ryang// (진인도량, 眞人道場)[[/span]][[/span]] which lectures their Sutra. After the ceremony, people gather at the town centre to enjoy various traditional activities.

After dinner, the residents gather at the temple again. Another ceremony, held from around 7 P.M. to 12 A.M., is called [[span class="ruby"]] "Upasampadā Dharmasaṃgīti." [[span class="rt"]]//Su-gye-bŏb-hœ// (수계법회, 受戒法會)[[/span]][[/span]] This event is the coming-of-age ceremony and approval ceremony to be regular Seŭlgaite brethren. It is mainly attended by Seŭlgaites who become adults.

[[collapsible show="＋ Video log: Upasampadā Dharmasaṃgīti" hide="－ Access Granted"]]
[[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]]
**Video log 0145E-1024**
**Record Date:** 2017/06/05 @ 21:00
**Recorder:** Dr. Yi Myŏyŏng
**Foreword:** Video of the last stages of the Feast of //Jinin// Advent.
------

[Start of transcript]

//Four people are kneeling in front of the stairs of the Hall of the Greater Hero. Those four people are town residents who became adults this year. There used to be more younger people attending the Upasampadā Dharmasaṃgīti -- there were about 10 to 20 people in the 70s -- but this year, there are only four.//

//The yard where the Dharmasaṃgīti is held is full of town residents. People returning to celebrate the feast make the place more crowded. On the right of the screen, an old man wearing traditional Korean attire can be seen in a group of people. He is Seŭljinin [[span class="ruby"]]Ji-chŏn[[span class="rt"]](지천, 知天)[[/span]][[/span]]. Four unidentified entities stand upright behind him. They are thought to be halcosts of Jinin. The residents gathered to see the ceremony are not afraid of them: instead, they even seem to show awe.//

//Soon, the ritual starts.//

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** First, thank you all for attending. We've gathered here to celebrate the new adults of this town. Pak Tæ-Hyŏn, son of Brethren Pak Jong-sin and Kim Myŏng-suk, Ahn Yu-ra, daughter of Brethren Ahn Sang-Jin and Yi Hŭi-jŏng, Chœ Ji-Hun, Son of Brethren Chœ Jin-wŏn and Gang Mi-hye, Pak Hye-yun, daughter of Brethren Pak Jong-hŏn and Kang Yun-hŭi. Please give them a warm round of applause.

//The four rise and greet the people around them. All four are wearing traditional Korean attire, and their heads are shaved, regardless of gender. The attire does not seem to be made with common materials. Instead, it is similar to that of Sarkic clothing. The clothing of one celebrant has veins protruding out of his sleeve.//

//Jinin Myŏnghyŏn's halcosts pass cups of [[span class="ruby"]]jin-chung-ju[[span class="rt"]](진충주, 珍蟲酒)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]] Jinchungju is a liquor infused the akuloth. [[span class="ruby"]]Jinchung[[span class="rt"]](진충, 珍蟲)[[/span]][[/span]] is the Seŭlga term for the [[span class="ruby"]]White Worm[[span class="rt"]]akuloth[[/span]][[/span]]. Like other Sarkic cults, Seŭlga treats akuloth as a precious being used for rituals, so Infusing jinchungju is only accepted on rare occasions such as the Feast of Jinin Advent. The benefits of Jinchungju is not proved, but Seŭlgaites believe that it restores vigour and enhances stamina, or in Seŭlga terms, “is given the power of Ahrat Oŭlji.” [[/footnote]] to the celebrants. They all drink it at once and kneel down again.//

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** Will you endlessly participate in the study of the //Seŭlga// way, the sense of flesh, and the will for enlightenment?

**Attendees:** Our Greater //Jinin// knows that I will.

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** Dear crofters of flesh! Will you bear the burden of others? Can you break free from Māra lurking deep in humans? Therefore, Duhkha, Samskara, Vidya and Nivartanīya are no different, as Duhkha causes Samskara, Samskara unveils Vidya, Vidya births Nivartanīya, and Duhkha reappears from Nivartanīya. [[span class="ruby"]][*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moha_(Buddhism) the Moha ones][[span class="rt"]]//U-chi-ja// (우치자, 愚癡者)[[/span]][[/span]] calls it continuum, but [[span class="ruby"]][*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Bulls the Ox-herder][[span class="rt"]]//Mok-u-ja// (목우자, 牧牛者)[[/span]][[/span]] calls it quaternity. Can you accept and keep this?

**Attendees:** Ahrat //Noadæŭl// knows that I will.

**//Jinin// Myŏŏnghyŏn:** Dear young postulants! Obsession is the path of curse and corruption; as Jeba fell from such, the deathless empire also fell from such! Can you face the sin of excessiveness which your flesh directs? Can you shake off whispers of little Māra nesting beside infinite human potential? Do not forget, all life is interconnected, so all can go to [[span class="ruby"]]the pure land[[span class="rt"]]//Jŏng-to// (정토, 淨土)[[/span]][[/span]]. Can you accept and keep this?

**Attendees:** Ahrat //Nædoji// knows that I will.

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** Dear my beloved pupils! Do know that blind faith is a leash that drags all to Klesa! Face the realities of the commandments look adamant, and the fences look hardy enough. Beware of the scoundrels that call the greed and sins of our predecessors as commandments. Our flesh shall empty our old Saṃkleśa, as the swamp of hasty conclusions is deep! Can you accept and keep this?

**Attendees:** Ahrat //Oŭlji// knows that I will.

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** Dear friends who shall march! Witness the Māra that corrupts the Sattva and pushes them into sin. They had taken various forms, even when Chŏningyosa enlightened the Sattva. Can you recognise the wretched hiding among us? Can you lead your close ones to a world of absolute joy? Pain is Māra's feed, so do not let Māra be you when you face Māra in times of tribulation and danger. Can you accept and keep this?

**Attendees:** Ahrat //Saŭlŭn// knows that I will.

//Before the Celebrates can finish, some of the gallery chant "We shall not forget!" and "We shall Remember!" I ask surrounding brethren about all this noise, but nobody respond. The attendees seem to be unresponsive.//

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** Will you practice all you've learnt in your life and participate in endless study and learning? Will you study to find the truth and lead the Sattva to the pure land?

**Attendees:** //Chŏningyosa// knows that I will!

//Bhadantas enter the Hall of Greater Hero and exit with jars full of Jinchungju. There are four jars, one for each of the attendees. One by one, the attendees walk out, grab the jar and drink. This order is seemingly chosen in advance. By doing this, the attendees let the Akuloths inside their bodies. Immediately, the Akuloth turns active.//

**//Jinin// Myŏnghyŏn:** [Loudly] Praise //Sejon//! Perform the song of Chŏyong!

//The attendees exit to the left of the Hall of the Greater Hero and prepared traditional instruments such as janggu, gŏmungo, buk, ggwængwari, jing and dægŭm to play Chŏyongga. Most musical instruments seem non-anomalous, but the janggu and gŏmungo seem to be made by flesh-shaping, judging from their appearance. The instruments are considered as “old relics.” Initially, other instruments were made with flesh-shaping as well, but IJAMEA stole the dægŭm, and other instruments were lost during the Korean war.//

//"Chŏyongga" sung here is based on a Goryŏ song with the same name. The Goryŏ song "Chŏyongga" was based on Chŏyong legends aforesaid, and thought to hold incantatory powers. In Seŭlga community, "Chŏyongga" is one of the most commonly performed tunes in rituals.//

//When the song is about to end, the four attendees reappear. The camera closes upon them. They wear spun silk tabby clothing dyed with the five cardinal colours and hold a giant mask on their right hands, known as "Chŏyongtal." The attire and mask are clearly made with the Lihakut'ak of Seŭlga. According to villager, the mask fits perfectly to the wearer. Also, it is typical for the mask to connects its consciousness to the wearer. For these reasons, the mask is considered relatively more important. The attendees stand in the middle of the yard. Bhadanta Simyŏng changed to the same clothing and join them, to match the five headcounts.//

//The attendees simultaneously wear the mask and soon starts performing Chŏyongmu. Chŏyongmu is the dance passed down alongside "Chŏyongga", as a court dance of Josŏn. Seŭlga's Chŏyongmu is more intense and dynamic compared to the recorded version. Most times, this trait stems from their use of hemomancy. The video records various instances of the attendees practising flesh-shaping, most of them being unique to this particular sect.//

//After the dance, all the residents, congratulate the attendees loudly. The attendees respond to the residents with a deep bow.//
[[/div]]
[[/collapsible]]

Originally, the end of Upasampadā Dharmasaṃgīti ritual was different. The attendees had taken a rest after they dance, and at midnight, they went outside to hunt "[*http://scpko.wikidot.com/yakubyo-gami the pox demons]" in their designated area. "The pox demons" are then brought into the hamlet by Seŭlga's original primitive soul trap and then were sealed or extinguished. It was around the mid-1970s when the last part of the Upasampadā Dharmasaṃgīti disappeared. No more cases of smallpox appeared in Korea after 1960, and other epidemics also decreased as medicine developed. Therefore, the power of "the pox demons" diminished; hence, hunting those entities was not seen as essential anymore. There are a few who still enjoy hunting them, but such cases are rare.

I was provided with a detailed explanation at [[span class="ruby"]]//I-mul-dang//[[span class="rt"]](이물당, 異物堂)[[/span]][[/span]], where artifacts used for various rituals including Upasampadā Dharmasaṃgīti is stored. I was able to examine the weapons that had been used for "the last part." The weapons, forged and smelted the Sarkic way, were not limited to simple backswords and included other weapons such as bows, flails, and maces. The weapons were in pristine condition, further backing the claim that unofficial hunting is still practised. It seemed as less than a week passed after these weapons were treated.

Staying in the hamlet, I was also able to gather various myths not discovered outside, the most notable one being "the Story of the Mother Dragon and Her Seven Offsprings". This //Soŭl// hamlet child's tale seemed so famous that every Seŭlgaite has heard of it. The Seŭlgaite version of the //Valkzaron// contains the earliest edition of this story. What's notable is that the story is only marginally different to the modern Seŭlgaite version.

The story is as follows:

[[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]]
Long long ago, a dragon lived high up in the heavens. The dragon was ancient, giant, and evil. All day long, every day, the dragon looked down at the mortal world and pondered how to harass and devour humans.

The dragon had seven offsprings. The first six was strong and powerful, just like their mother. They also had mystical powers. They were fierce like their mother, too, so they too hated humans and wanted to devour them.

However, the youngest was peculiarly weak. He too was fierce and hated humans just like his mother, but unlike his siblings, he could not descend onto the earth to harm or make mischief on the humans. So the youngest had nothing to do except stay in the heavens, looking down at the humans.

The youngest watched the humans for a very long time. He saw them being born, growing, loving and ageing. He also saw them trapped in pain. He also saw lovers and enemies. He also saw the leashing cycle of birth -- growth -- illness -- and death. He stayed up there watching the humans for so long that the humans thought the dragon had only six offsprings.

As time had passed, there was a change in the youngest's mind. A ray of good sparked inside him. He wanted to live with the humans, with everything alive, with their energy: though the spark was too subtle for him to didn't notice himself.

Then one day, the mother dragon called the youngest out of the blue and told him, "It has been centuries since you have lived with me because you are weak. But it's high time you wreak havoc on the humans on your own. Here, I grant you my powers. Descend onto the Earth.

The youngest also wanted to, so he tried to accept her offer readily. However, something unexpected happened: the son's head shook on its own. The mother dragon furiously shouted: "What are you doing? Can't you accept my powers? Are you saying you cannot descend onto the earth?"

The youngest started speaking. The good thought had taken over his mind unnoticed. He said: "No, dear mother. I want to descent onto the earth. However, I do not want to do anything evil. I want to dwell with the humans."

Then the youngest told what he saw. People, and all the unique creations of people, and the emotion of happiness, anger, love, joy, sorrow, hatred and greed.

The youngest felt his vigour and power growing as he spoke. He realised that he is not himself who envied his older siblings wreaking havoc on the humans. The youngest was truly free.

However, it was no match for the mother dragon's wrath. The mother dragon pushed her youngest son with the very power she was going to give, and he fell down helplessly. Alas, when the son hit the ground, his body shattered into pieces and was scattered around the world.
[[/div]]

It is unknown what metaphor the dragon and her seven offsprings is, but I was able to reach the conclusion that they are the same entities that are recorded in "Mr. Chŏyong and the Temple of //Manghæ//." I asked the residents, //Jinin// and Bhadantas, but they only gave vague responses or evaded the question.

Eventually, without a clear answer, I was forced to leave the hamlet three days after the Feast of //Jinin// Advent, as promised in advance,

[[collapsible show="＋ Interviewee: Bŏpu Pak Yung" hide="－ Access Granted"]]
[[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]]
**Audio log**
**Record date:** 2017/06/08 @ 10:02
**Interviewer:** Dr Yi Myoyŏng
**Interviewee:** //Bŏpu// Pak Yung
**Foreword:** //Leaving the hamlet was not easy. The method to exit was not difficult, but it was hard for me to swallow. I had regrets about still not knowing Chŏyong's identity, even after staying in the hamlet for several days. The residents were saddened by my leaving as if I was one of their own.//

//I said my goodbyes to where I stayed and told them I was returning to //Mongŭn// temple. I decided to hitch a ride on a family's car, returning home outside. That was when I met the first Seŭlgatie that I met, Pak Yung.//

-------

[Start of transcript][[footnote]]The recorder was off. I have no idea how this dialogue was recorded. [[/footnote]]

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** //Aigo//, you leaving?

**Dr. Yi:** Yes, I suppose so. [Brief pause] By the way, I couldn't find you at the ritual. Maybe it was too crowded…….

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** No, I didn't go there, actually. I have never liked it.

**Dr. Yi:** Oh…….

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Well, you're leaving now, but I'm not sure if we were helpful for your report or not. [Laughter] This is also a Nidana, so if you haven't found anything yet, please ask me.

**Dr. Yi:** No, Thank you. I got everything I need. [Long pause] Well, then, there's only one. Do you know what does "the dragon and seven offsprings" mean?

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Within the Chŏyong mythos on //the Mirabilia//?

**Dr. Yi:** That and also the folklore tale: those two are so structurally similar……. Everyone seemed to stay quiet about this similarity. Though, I assume everyone knows the truth, right?

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Everyone, Including me, you are saying.

**Dr. Yi:** You and the others as well……. But now, you're the only rope left for me.

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** [Big laughter] Well, I hope I am pretty stout cordage.

**Dr. Yi:** Can't think of any stout better.

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** All right, all right. You don't need to butter me up. [Brief pause] The dragon and her offsprings, you say? What do you want to know about them? Their identity?

**Dr. Yi:** I'm curious how Chŏyong is related to these symbols. Yes, and their identity, too. What they imply…….

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** "Imply" is a bit ambiguous, in my opinion. That tale should be taken literally. "The mother dragon and her seven offsprings."

**Dr. Yi:** So, you mean Chŏyong really is the dragon's son?

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Haha, how should I put this……. [Long pause] Those of the //Xia// bloodline call the Mother Dragon "//Yŏ-wa//."[[footnote]] Korean pronunciation of //[[[about-the-serpent|Nüwa]]]//. [[/footnote]]

**Dr. Yi:** Huh……? What are you me --

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** I mean, the dragon is Paranimmitavaśavatti Māra Pāpīyās herself, that's what I'm telling you. And her litter are Māra.

**Dr. Yi:** So you mean Chŏyong is an Archon, I mean, Māra? But the tale says that the seventh Māra fell to his death…….

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Fell to his death, FELL TO HIS DEATH! [Big laughter] Yond maketh me bethink yond way.  However, how couldst a Māra beest did grant such fate? As those ones art beings did tie to the leash of immortality!

**Dr. Yi:** Your words…….

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Ah, sorry. You amused me, doctor. [Pause] The seventh Māra did not die, Actually. That folklore is not another symbolism or metaphor, nor an abstract portrayal of reality like other myths. That is true as it is, just like blood cycling through your body, doctor.

**Dr. Yi:** I don't get what you me --

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** The latter part of the tale was cut away. The seventh offspring crashed to the ground and was shattered, but that was not the end of it. Each shard shaped itself into a new form. The good mind that possessed him took the biggest shard.

**Dr. Yi:** Wait, so do you mean that Chŏyong is really an Archon……, I mean, Māra?

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** [Chuckles] I told you, doctor, to take it literally.

**Dr. Yi:** B-but, I have never heard of there being seven Archons.

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Doesn't the folklore tell you? The seventh was forgotten from long, long ago, as a cancer cell goes under the radar before it spreads……. [Short pause] What an exhilarating positive! A son, standing against his mother, can you imagine how surprised Māra Pāpīyās would have been?

**Dr. Yi:** Other Nälkä scripts do not record anything like that. If what you're telling me is true, an Archon descended to this earth and joined those who opposed himself, and that's…….

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** You scholars love to reason, and I do not run away from it. “Beware of the scoundrels that call the greed and sins of our predecessors as commandments” ……. Your methodology is no different from ours. And yes, so, you are wondering why Māra would do such a thing.

**Dr. Yi:** Exactly.

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** I could tell you to understand it literally, but that will be hilariously forcing you to. So, I will answer you as sincerely as possible.

[Brief pause] Do you remember what I said, the crushed Māra's body? A shard must be definitely weaker than the whole. Plus, the seventh was the weakest Māra -- in your words, Archon. We must recognise the existence of the good thought struggling inside that horrendously weakened flesh.

One can say it was a miracle to meet Bhagavat, born with such a weak body in harsh times. At that time, Bhagavat was preaching wisdom at the Jeba state, far away. Chŏyong thought what Ion told is the true way to save the people, and defeat his evil siblings and mother, so he followed the Śāstāmanusyānāṃ.

It is the power of insurgency that runs through our bloodline. I call it defiance. We have the power to defy all evil deed and Klesa. You, the Jinin, even a child in that hamlet, everyone does. We can also teach the ability to pass on what we have learned, not only with words but also with actions and figures.

That is what touched the seventh offspring, Chŏyong's main body. He was born a Māra but was purified and shaped himself again, to a new flesh that would empty the old Saṃkleśa. Do you understand now?

**Dr. Yi:** Then, what happened to the other Shards? Did they change too?

**//Bŏpu// Pak:**[Nods] However the good spirit cannot possess them, unlike Chŏyong. The evil mind before remained, making them do evil. What is the pox demons? Must be other scattered shards of Māra. However, they are nothing but small cullets. The bigger ones are much stronger and much more nefarious.

**Dr. Yi:** Does anyone know where they are?

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Nobody does.

**Dr. Yi:** Excuse my insolence, but doesn't your Greater //Jinin// retain any of that evil nature left?

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** [Chuckles] It's not insolence. Don't have to excuse. [Brief Pause] What we have to discuss here is the TRAITS of Māra, or what you call Archons. THAT Māra was clearly broken to pieces. But, do you think THE Māra was also broken? Tell me your thoughts, doctor.

**Dr. Yi:** "The" Māra?

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** The seventh Māra ITSELF. The seventh offspring, the consciousness and mind of the seventh Archon, and -- if such a thing exists -- its soul. What do you think would have happened to them?

**Dr. Yi:** I assume they were also split during being shattered…….

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Wrong answer you gave. No, it did not. The notion that the seventh Māra itself is Chŏyong is far from the truth. How can I put this……. Would "Avatāra" be better for your understanding?

**Dr. Yi:** Please elaborate.

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** The existence of the seventh Māra did never split. Instead, it lurks deep in the consciousness of every single shard, trying to scrape itself together again. Those whom Māra Pāpīyās attack suffer the same fate: Māra Pāpīyās' true nature is dismemberment and dissipation, so their opponents have their figure shattered.

The seventh Māra, a traitor, suffered such fate. And it still exists, constantly demanding to return his body, constantly, constantly screaming to take hold, even more so when the shards come close, to become one again……. merge into its past self……. That impulse…… sparks as blood get pumped through the body.

A Māra is a Māra, no matter what good thoughts it have. It is similar to all lifeforms with the nature of gods. The saying "[[span class="ruby"]]the shakabuku is sudden,[[span class="rt"]]Don-o (돈오, 頓悟)[[/span]][[/span]] but [[span class="ruby"]]cultivation is gradual[[span class="rt"]]Jŏm-su (점수, 漸修)[[/span]][[/span]]" by [[span class="ruby"]]Ji-nul[[span  class="rt"]](지눌, 知訥)[[/span]][[/span]][[footnote]] A buddhist monk of //Goryŏ//, and the founding grand master of [[a href="*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jogye_Order"]]the //Jogye// order[[/a]]. He tried to integrate the [[span class="ruby"]]doctrine[[span class="rt"]]//Gyo// (교, 敎)[[/span]][[/span]] under [[span class="ruby"]]dhyāna[[span class="rt"]][[a href="*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen"]]//Sŏn// (선, 禪)[[/a]][[/span]][[/span]]. His most notable ideologies are [[span class="ruby"]]“sudden shakabuku and its gradual cultivation”[[span class="rt"]]//Don-o-jŏm-su// (돈오점수, 頓悟漸修)[[/span]][[/span]] and [[span class="ruby"]]“samadhi and prajna are twin pillars.”[[span class="rt"]]//Jŏng-hye-ssang-su// (정혜쌍수, 定慧雙修)[[/span]][[/span]][[/footnote]] is truly correct. However, the Avatars untouched by the good mind only harbor evil, pain and void, serving only its natural instincts unshedded.

Much more, what could it be to Chŏyong himself? I told you, a Māra is still a Māra. He also feels the shockwave of the seventh Māra, even far worse than other shards. That is the reason for our Greater Jinin's itinerancy, to fight against his other-selves and to shed the essence of his original self.

**Dr. Yi:** So, are you saying his missing is also because of that?

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Before he left to dispose of his other selves, but this time he left, feeling the advent of Māra. One could say his blood surged through from his brothers' coming. [Laughter] Such a Māra nonetheless.

**Dr. Yi:** Ad -- advent of Māra…… you said?

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Fear not, doctor. Only fear itself deserves to be feared. And Māra is the beast that feeds on fear. Hence mind not.

Some may worry that his evil parts will edify Chŏyong, that he will recover his old appendages and rise again to stand proudly next to the six stars who look like the bedsores on this grim, dark cosmos. I know that your superiors, the brass people and the guardians of obscurantism will do worry. But you have my word -- it will never happen. As he is fighting, meeting no one, thinking nothing, meditating……. Only to escape from it.

**Dr. Yi:** Brother, you are…….

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** ……Long ago, a man visited the original //Soŭl// hamlet. He did not come in search of wisdom like you did……. But you reminded me of him, searching for the hamlet. That's why I played the role of priming water after a long interval. Because of me, having a hard time, these people……. And I'm not even around them when they need me. [Pause] That's why some raged and some despaired. You saw the things Imuldang keeps, doctor. What did you see there?

**Dr. Yi:** S-swords……, weapons, attire……, the stuff used for Upasampadā Dharmasaṃgīti ritual.

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** They look like they're used recently, right?

**Dr. Yi:** I was told that—, that's because of the occasional pox demon hunts —

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** They did not tell you the truth. [Brief pause] Hatred has power. Some hatred is passed on from generation to generation. All that terrible atrocities. The helplessness of not being able to do anything is the most humiliating experience that humans can experience……. Even if that heart anchored down like blood clots to cause pain……. [Long pause] That sword, those blunt weapons, all those weapons are used not only to hut the pox deities but also those who plundered the old hamlet. Lots are paying the price…….

**Dr. Yi:** You people are killing former IJAMEA members? Haven't you taught to beware of the sin of excessiveness? That looks like excessive hatred -- vendetta.

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Doctor, have you heard the phrase: [[span class="ruby"]]“kill one to save many”[[span class="rt"]]//Il-sal-da-sæng// (일살다생, 一殺多生)[[/span]][[/span]]?

**Dr. Yi:** Isn't that……, the motto of [*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Blood_Incident the Blood-Pledge Corps], the Japanese fascist group?

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** In fact, it originates from a Buddhist text, //[*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogacarabhumi-sastra Yogācārabhūmiśāstra]//. [Short pause] It refers to the great merciful act of killing one man to save the lives of many who might be killed by him and make stop the accumulation of his karma. I don't know what you think....... but they does that by hunting down IJAMEA.

**Dr. Yi:** Brother, that…… is nothing but a retaliatory crime.

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** A terrible retaliation indeed. However, we do never break their cycle. We just send them back, believing that they will pay off their karma in the next life. That is our Jaka. [sneeres] Ha, could that even have happened if Chŏyong stayed at the hamlet? If he stayed right beside his disciples, that could never have happened. If he stayed right beside them, there wouldn't still be such a big bruise on these people's hearts.

**Dr. Yi:** Excuse me, Brother -- 

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** Self-blame is endless and drives a man insane. Me……, Jŏngrang……, both of us are too alike. She resembles me even where she shouldn't. [Long pause] I should go now. Ask the others, as you have nothing to learn more from me, and…….

**Dr. Yi:** W -- wait!

**//Bŏpu// Pak:** When you face Māra in times of tribulation and danger, do not let Māra be you. At any cost.

----------
**Afterword:** //Bŏpu Pak walked away, and I met the family at the town entrance. They answered that they did not know about the jinin's identity or Māra's coming. Most of them seemed to be hiding some information from me, but some of them seemed oblivious.//

//However, what confused me the most was not those answers. When we got closer to our destination, I asked them if they know a person named Pak Yung well.//

//They asked me back: "Who is Pak Yung?"//

//There was no one named Pak Yung in Soŭl hamlet.//
[[/div]]
[[/collapsible]]

After the ethnographic research, I returned to [*http://scpko.wikidot.com/secure-facility-dossier-site-21k Site-21K, Seoul] and gathered papers. I was able to find valuable pieces from [[span class="ruby"]]//the Anti-abomination Guard Records//[[span class="rt"]]//I-gŭm-rok// (『이금록』, 異禁錄)[[/span]][[/span]], the anti-paranormality paramilitary agency of Josŏn Kingdom. //the Records// quotes a story on [[span class="ruby"]]//the Posthumous Work by Byŏk-o//[[span class="rt"]](『벽오유고』, 碧梧遺稿)[[/span]][[/span]], the posthumous collection of [[span class="ruby"]]Yi "Byŏk-o" Si-bal[[span class="rt"]](벽오 이시발, 碧梧 李時發)[[/span]][[/span]] (1569-1626 A.D.), who had not belonged to the Anti-abomination Guard, but whose great-grandson had. According to quoted story, Yi Sibal headed the //Soŭl// hamlet to meet his friend living there, and was guided by a resident.

And the resident was named Pak Yung.

Attached below is the document written by the Anti-abomination Guard about the //Soŭl// hamlet. According to the document, The Anti-abomination Guard tried to break into the hamlet on their own but failed.

[[div class="blockquote" style="border-radius: 10px; margin: 10px"]]
**[[span class="ruby"]]The Disorder:[[span class="rt"]]//Pæ-ran// (패란, 悖亂)[[/span]][[/span]] [[span class="ruby"]]the Year of Black Goat,[[span class="rt"]]//Gye-mi// (계미, 癸未)[[/span]][[/span]] [[span class="ruby"]]Case number 2[[span class="rt"]]//Je-i-ho// (제이호, 第二號)[[/span]][[/span]]**

**[[span class="ruby"]]Description[[span class="rt" style="text-align:left;"]]　　//Sang// (상, 詳)[[/span]][[/span]]**　　　　A hamlet of abominations located deep in the valleys of [[span class="ruby"]]Mount //Du-ryu//.[[span class="rt"]](두류산, 頭流山)[[/span]][[/span]]
**[[span class="ruby"]]Person in Charge[[span class="rt" style="text-align:left;"]]　　//Dang// (당, 當)[[/span]][[/span]]**　Entrusted Lord [[span class="ruby"]]No-ba[[span class="rt"]](노바, 怒貌)[[/span]][[/span]], the Anti-abomination Guard Inspector.
**[[span class="ruby"]]Conclusion[[span class="rt" style="text-align:left;"]]　　//Gyŏl// (결, 結)[[/span]][[/span]]**　　　　[[span class="ruby"]]Anti-disorder Battalion[[span class="rt"]]//Pæ-ran-sa// (패란사, 悖亂司)[[/span]][[/span]] tried to break in, but failed.
**[[span class="ruby"]]State of Affair[[span class="rt" style="text-align:left;"]]　　//Hyŏn// (현, 現)[[/span]][[/span]]**　　　Added to the secret records and closed the case.

Scholarly says:

Deep in Mount //Jiri//, also called Mount //Duryu//, is a hamlet called "//Soŭl//." This hamlet has been known as the land of the [[span class="ruby"]]//[*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xian_(Taoism) Hsien-jen]//[[span class="rt"]](선인, 仙人)[[/span]][[/span]]. However, its true nature is a settlement of those who shape flesh and bone. The residents are of a very peculiar shape. According to the early records by [[span class="ruby"]]Duke //Chung-Ik//[[span class="rt"]](충익공, 忠翼公)[[/span]][[/span]] Sibal, their blood vessels, skin and organs are different in number and shape from the common folk. There is a rank similar or superior to a chieftain, called //Seŭljinin//. This rank is mostly unknown, besides the fact that it is related to the school of Buddhism. How to enter the hamlet is unknown.

—**[Addendum]** We climbed Mount //Duryu// from early in the morning, accompanied by Anti-disorder Battalion. However, two whole days of searching didn't lead to a single house, let alone a hamlet. The Battalion grew to be nothing more than a bunch of exhausted troopers. And we could not give surrounding villages any more inconvenience to gather provisions; hence the search was terminated.
[[/div]]

Several months after I left the hamlet, a previously unreported grotto was found in the middle of Mount ████ while securing SCP-████. Entry to the grotto failed due to attacks by what appear to be SK-BIO organisms, and the event was immediately reported. As soon as I got hold of the news, I planned to visit the grotto with several Site-21K researchers.

Reviewing the interview with the entity calling itself "Pak Yung," there must be somewhere Chŏyong residing toward his evil instinct off. I was very sure that the grotto is the place. Under permission from Site-01K, I headed to the grotto in question with MTF 乙-04 ("Hungry as a Grand Huntsman").

[DATA EXPUNGED]

[DATA EXPUNGED]

[DATA EXPUNGED]

Following the incident, MTF 乙-04 was found all perished, and two researchers were found unconscious. I was rescued but in delirium. I do not recall any events in the grotto, nor what entity I met in there. But there's one thing I remember; Chŏyong is not there. He left before my arrival.

Encounter with Pak Yung might have been a warning. He predicted we would find his hideout sooner or later. They told me that I mumbled “I am everywhere,” repeatedly when I was unconscious. Split and chasm. I might have gone through the state of the seventh Archon, attacked by Yaldabaoth.

The grotto naturally collapsed and disappeared later, as if it fulfilled its purpose.

[[footnoteblock title="Notes"]]
----
[[module CSS]]
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.authors .collapsible-block-link {
margin-left:.25em;
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    -moz-transition: opacity 0.5s ease-in-out;
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.authors .collapsible-block-link:hover {
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.authors .collapsible-block-link:active {
opacity:1;
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[[/module]]
[[div class="authors"]]
[[include :scp-wiki:component:license-box]]
=====
> **Main Author:** [[*user migueludeom]]
> **English translation:** [[*user Fluxman]]
> **I-du Lingual Advice:** [[*user aftergduo]]
> **Good-for-nothing:** [[*user salamander724]]

> **Filename:** Korea-Yecheon_County-Gigokri-A_old_farmer_plowing_a_field_with_a_cow.jpg
> **Author:** [*http://picasaweb.google.com/alimamo/ Robert]
> **License:** CC by 3.0
> **Source Link:** [*https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Korea-Yecheon_County-Gigokri-A_old_farmer_plowing_a_field_with_a_cow.jpg Wikimedia]

> **Filename:** Antti_Aarne.png
> **Author:** Unknown, but photo taken before the year of 1925
> **License:** Public Domain
> **Source Link:** [*https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Antti_Aarne.png Wikimedia]

> **Filename:** Dkh.png
> **Author:** [*https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Chongkwan Chongkwan]
> **License:**  CC 0 1.0
> **Source Link:** [*https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dkh.PNG Wikimedia]

=====
[[include :scp-wiki:component:license-box-end]]
[[/div]]

An Anthropological Approach to Sarkicism - Case Study 05: Seŭlga of the Korean Peninsular

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