¹One year after Sangjenim departed for His throne in heaven, a throng of followers gathered at Guritgol Village for the first Ascension Chiseong.²They lamented, “We followers have journeyed from faraway places, yet our Teacher is not here....”³Gazing into the sky, they loudly cried out, “Do You not know that we have gathered? Do You truly not know?”

⁴Suddenly, thunder roared, the sky rumbled, clouds of many hues gathered overhead,⁵and varicolored auspicious qi descended from heaven to the place where Sangjenim had lain prior to His ascension.⁶At this, the followers were enraptured and shouted cries of joy. Witnessing this and feeling an even deeper sadness, Ho-yeon begged Sangjenim, “Please say something to them.”

⁷Sangjenim replied, “What should I say? I will not speak simply for the sake of speaking.⁸I have come for this visit only because you desired it so strongly. Who do they think I am that I would appear for mere visits?”

⁹Sangjenim then addressed the followers, “Nothing can be accomplished without the participation of the spirits. It is indeed proper that you hold offering rituals, for spirits of heaven and earth must also eat.¹⁰I, however, journey throughout all realms, conducting the work of heaven and earth—should I descend from heaven simply to partake of a food offering? ¹¹Do not trouble yourselves; keep your minds true and steadfast.”