The "old Buddha"

Prime Minister Choi Yun-tok was in mourning once for his mother. With

a single horse and one servant he made a journey to the south where

the road led through the county of Kai-ryong. At that very time two

or three of the district magistrates had pitched a tent on the bank

of the river and were having refreshments. They said to one another,

"Who is that mourner that goes riding by without dismounting? It must

be some country farmer who has never learned proper manners. We shall

certainly have to teach him a lesson."

They sent an attendant to arrest and bring his servant, whom they

asked, "Who is your master?"

He replied, "Choi, the Old Buddha."

"But what's his real name?" they demanded.

"The old Buddha," was the reply.

Then they grew very angry at this, and said, "Your master has offended

in not dismounting, and you offend in concealing his name. Both

slave and master are equally ill-mannered." And so they beat him over

the head.

Then the servant said slowly, "He is called Choi the Buddha, but his

real name is Yun-tok, and he is now on his way to his country home

in Chang-won." At once they recognized that it was no other than the

Prime Minister, and great fear overcame them. They struck their tent,

cleared away the eatables, and ran to make their deepest salaam and

to ask pardon for their sin.

The old Buddha was a special name by which this famous minister

was known.

Yi Ryuk.