Winning Buddha's smile : A Korean legend

In this timeless Korean legend, we meet Sun‑Yen, a respected courtier whose wisdom and generosity have earned him the love of the people. Though wealthy and powerful, he lives without arrogance, finding his greatest joy in easing the suffering of others. The story unfolds in the ancient capital of Hpyeng‑Yang, a city alive with music, feasts, and the daily rhythms of a bygone era. When a royal banquet promises celebration, a sudden wave of melancholy overtakes Sun‑Yen, prompting him to seek counsel from his scholarly friend San‑Houni.

Accompanied by his loyal servant, Sun‑Yen encounters a grim roadside scene: a crowd gathered around several corpses left to rot from hunger. Moved by the horror, he confronts a police officer, demanding to know why the dead were abandoned and insisting they be rescued. His call for action sets in motion a compassionate response that tests his moral resolve amid the bustling court and the stark realities of the kingdom. The tale weaves humor, spirituality, and the quiet power of kindness.