38) Korea - 17. Sammokgu

The name means 'dog with three eyes'. The legend is passed down at Haeinsa Temple. During the Silla Dynasty, a man named Igeoin, who lived in Hapcheon, found a three-eyed puppy wandering lost. Igeoin took the puppy home, cared for it diligently, lived with it for 3 years, and when it died, he held a funeral for it. Two years later, Igeoin died of illness and went to the underworld, where he met King Sammok. The king revealed that he was Sammokgu, who had committed a wrongdoing in the past and was banished to the mortal world for 3 years. He then instructed Igeoin to tell King Yeomra, 'I intended to create the Tripitaka Koreana in the mortal world, but my life ended before I could accomplish it.' When Igeoin met King Yeomra and relayed the message, King Yeomra was impressed and sent him back to the mortal world. When Igeoin woke up, he truly created the Tripitaka Koreana and placed it at Haeinsa Temple. The following year, twin princesses of Silla fell ill, and it was said in a dream that they could only be cured if Igeoin came. Following the command, Igeoin entered the palace, and King Sammok, who was possessing the princesses, left, curing their illness. Igeoin then married a princess and is said to have attained enlightenment.