Lee Jon-young | 

Before ever speaking of enlightenment, Buddha taught the power to reflect on one's own mind. Today in Korea, we call that power su-o-ji-sim (羞惡之心)—having a conscience and sense of shame.

Su-o-ji-sim means the ability to be ashamed of one's own mistakes and to face the mistakes of others—not with a sense of anger but a desire to rectify.

Mencius said: "A person lacking su-o-ji-sim is not truly human." He was not calling for a strict moral code but merely warning that a society whose conscience is fading will hasten its own collapse.

Looking at society today, one can see the sense of su-o-ji-sim gradually fading. People commit wrongs without feeling shame, tell lies without their cheeks having the slightest blush. In this era, rather than reflect on their own behavior, people seek to justify themselves by raising their voices louder still.

Politics is no exception. Those placed in positions of responsibility have become adept at evading accountability; they fill solemn moments that call for remorse with excuses and attacks. From a Buddhist perspective, this is a deeper illness than greed or anger.

A mind that has lost shame cannot reflect on itself. Su-o-ji-sim is not weakness. It requires great strength to acknowledge one’s own faults. Spiritual practice is ultimately an exercise in how to accept shame.

Buddha said, "Do not deceive yourself." While deceiving others may be possible for a time, a life built on self-deception will surely collapse.

More important than laws, a healthy society must have a conscience. What is more important than rules is not retribution, but a sense of shame. A society where shame is alive can stand upright with no need to raise a clamor.

Restoring su-o-ji-sim does not require a tremendous moral crusade. It begins with each person taking at least one moment each day to reflect on their own words and actions.

(translated by AI, edited by David Kendall)