Ipan Sapan

When Koreans face a dead-end situation, they use the term "ipan sapan," which can be roughly translated as "do or die." The term`s origins are in Buddhism. According to the Avatamska Sutra, one of the most influential doctrines of Buddhism, ipan refers to a theoretical aspect of Buddhism and sapan the phenomenal world. This is similar to Western philosophy`s essence and phenomena and neo-Confucianism`s conception of rationality and spirit. The sutra says theory and phenomena are essentially one.

Ipan sapan began to mean a no-win situation in the Joseon Dynasty, under which Buddhism was suppressed for Confucianism. Such a policy forced Buddhist monks to hide in forests or work as handymen at public offices. Ipan referred to a monk who did meditation or missionary work, while sapan monks made a living by producing and selling paper and building mountain fortresses. Whether an ipan or sapan, being a monk meant no way out.

After submitting a video clip showing eight monks gambling, a former monk expelled by Korea`s largest Buddhist order Jogye on Tuesday dropped a bombshell that last year, the order’s chief executive, the Ven. Jaseung, and the Ven. Myeongjin, a former priest at Bongeun Temple in Seoul, went to a hostess bar, an establishment that often facilitates prostitution, in southern Seoul. The incident was widely accepted as fact in the Buddhist circle at that time, and even Myeongjin admitted it. Whether the two senior monks cavorted with prostitutes remains unknown, but witness testimony that the monks drank three bottles of whiskey at the bar sent shock waves nationwide.

Today, an ipan refers to a monk who studies and propagates the Buddha`s teachings while a sapan is in charge of administrative works. An ipan appears to be more highly praised than a sapan but the latter is who really matters. The leak of video footage was allegedly due to infighting between sects in winning the abbot position at Baekyang Temple. In Buddhism, however, an ipan should be outstanding to become a sapan. Monks holding administrative posts should reflect on themselves over the misuse of monetary donations from believers and monks gambling with the funds.

Editorial Writer Song Pyeong-in (pisong@donga.com)