Traditional Korean folk religious practitioner Choyeon Yaksabosal

Korea has a time-honored folk religious rite named Gut which has been the target of criticism from some quarters of the Korean society but which continues to stay in the hearts of many strata of people in Korea. Gut, with the passage of time, has not become an important part of traditional Korean folk religion. And the religious rites, including the unique shaman dances, have become a part of traditional Korean art and culture.

 

Choyeon Yaksabosal (practitioner of traditional Korean folk religion, 'Mugyo')
Choyeon Yaksabosal (practitioner of traditional Korean folk religion, 'Mugyo')

Among the well-known women practitioners of Gut is one named Choyeon Yaksabosal. She observed organized and observed a ritual for rain at the Gwanghwamun Share in Seoul in 2016 where she presented the traditional Korean folk religious rite, Gut, praying to the Rain Deity in the Heaven to bestow rain to the people. Many people. This practice, which is aimed for the public benefit won the hearts of many people in Korea.

Choyeon Yaksabosal was born in Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do Province to a well-to-do family. She grew up receiving loving care and lessons from her parents who were persons of a great measure of tolerance and affection.

Choyeon Yaksabosal states that she then moved to Busan and attended and graduated from middle and high schools and also a university—before she came to Seoul.

In Seoul, she operated and managed a large business company in Seoul, from which she gained a good measure of wealth and a good reputation. However, with the passage of time, she came to realize that it was nothing more than mere illusion.

Originally, she developed belief in the Christian religion and lived a truly faithful believer in Christian religion. However, she became a practitioner of traditional Korean folk religion, Mugyo, after she had received revelation from the Cheon Shin (Heavenly God).

 

Choyeon Yaksabosal (right) listens to a lady visitor and offers advice in search of a solution to her problem.
Choyeon Yaksabosal (right) listens to a lady visitor and offers advice in search of a solution to her problem.

She engaged her in many voluntary services for the needy neighbors through offering of prayers, which she did every day from morning till evening.

When she followed the Christian religion, she studied the Bible extensively and practiced good deeds on the dictates of the teachings of the Bible.

Although she was talented and had a good measure of ability, she, nonetheless, realized that there were many causes of pain and difficulties and she spent days and nights in tears and agony at times.

She studied Christianity, Buddhism, and traditional Korean folk religion. And now she feels that she has acquired a considerable measure of traditional Korean folk religion, too.

One cannot change one’s destiny. Nor can a person change the destiny of another. However, I would say that I was born with the ability to meet and communicate with Cheonsin (Heavenly Deity) who is in the Solar System in the direction of soothing and mitigating the pains from worldly worries through the medium of prayers.

 

Left photo shows Choyeon Yaksabosal preparing for 'Gut' (traditional Korean folk religious rite for good luck and protection from ill fate), Right photo shows her offering prayer with a make practitioner.
Left photo shows Choyeon Yaksabosal preparing for 'Gut' (traditional Korean folk religious rite for good luck and protection from ill fate), Right photo shows her offering prayer with a make practitioner.

I try to approach Cheonsin and I realize changes occurring inside me. I am to eliminate my obstinacy, audacity, greed, and hatred. My sins meltdown and I regret and repent. I pray and carry my belief into action. My sinful self changes for the good and so, too, change the fate of myself.

The prayers of Choyeon Yaksabosal are interpreted in a new fashion and are received with a great deal of warm response.

Prayers are offered for the complete cure of cancer and they are offered also for finding a way to solve various problems which may include love affairs between men and women, Gunghap (marital compatibility), payers for sterile women, transaction of real estate, business prospects, and various other matters.

Choyeon Yaksabosal feels that she was predestined by the wishes of the Heaven to become a Mudang (Korean folk religious practitioner) and she believes that it was a mission given her. She offers prayers supplicating that re-evaluation of the status of Mugyo (traditional Korean folk religion) will be made.

저작권자 © The Korea Post 무단전재 및 재배포 금지