Moderator: Good afternoon. Transcending the boundaries of dream and reality, we have gathered the author and main characters of "The Cloud Dream of the Nine" to hear their valuable opinions on the real-world problem of 'sustainable development for the Earth.'
I wrote the story of a single night's dream to console my mother's worries, wanting to show that all the wealth and glory of the human world are like a dream. Humanity today is intoxicated by the grand dream of 'infinite growth.' This dream is sweet, but it is one from which we must eventually awaken. Sustainable development is the process of waking from this dream and asking what is truly valuable. It is time to stop the folly of destroying real nature in pursuit of dreamlike riches and to start talking about a new dream that we can all dream together.
For a fleeting worldly desire, I had to take a long detour on the path to great enlightenment. A small desire in my heart created the vast dream of Yang So-yu's eventful life. The crisis the Earth faces today is the immense reality created by humanity's endless material desires. Sustainable development must begin with the spiritual practice of taming this 'desire.' We must let go of the mind that wants to possess more and consume more, and find true joy in a life harmonized with nature. We must not forget that all suffering originates from desire.
I am one who enjoyed everything in the human world—wealth, fame, and the love of eight wives. I believed it would all be mine forever, but it was, in the end, just a dream. What I realized is that true happiness lies not in the size of one's possessions, but in the depth of one's relationships. Humanity is now cutting down forests and polluting oceans to possess more. This is like destroying one's real home for a hollow dream. Sustainable development is about redefining the meaning of 'success.' We must pursue not a higher status but a deeper harmony, not more possessions but richer relationships.
We are the symbols of joy and virtue that most beautifully adorned Yang So-yu's life. We by no means deny wealth and glory. Beautiful poetry, music, love, and a prosperous life are blessings given to humankind. However, they all find their true value only when achieved within 'harmony.' Sustainable development must be a path of 'creation,' not destruction. Prosperity gained by harming nature is not true prosperity. Just as we, with our different personalities, enriched Yang So-yu's life, humanity must also respect the diversity of nature and cultivate an artistic life in harmony with it.
I taught Seong-jin through a dream that the essence of life is emptiness (Śūnyatā). Humanity now is entangling itself, obsessed with the illusion of 'growth.' The material civilization you have built will all eventually change and disappear. Sustainable development must begin with realizing this doctrine of 'emptiness.' Just as emptiness can hold anything, we must empty our greed for infinite growth to be able to hold a sustainable future. Wake up from the dream and return to your original place. The original place you must return to is a simple life, one with nature.
As Yang So-yu's friend, I wished for him to achieve high office and bring glory to his family. Is that not the way of the world? Sustainable development is fine, but we cannot ignore the immediate problem of feeding our people. I believe we must find 'realistic alternatives.' It is important to invest in 'green technology' that can grow the economy while protecting the environment and to create new jobs. If we only talk of ideals, the common people in the marketplace will starve. Between dream and reality, we must first think of the people's livelihood.
I reprimanded the small desires of Seong-jin and the eight fairies and gave them a chance for enlightenment. Now, the arrogance of humanity is reaching for the heavens. You are going against the course of nature and disturbing the harmony of all life. The droughts, floods, and plagues are but my small warnings. Sustainable development is not a choice; it is the 'law of the cosmos' that you must follow. Repent your misdeeds and return to the order of nature. Otherwise, a cycle of rebirth, longer and more painful than Seong-jin's dream, awaits you.