Does Fate Truly Exist?
When the New Year begins, people often make plans, new resolutions, and hold vague hopes in their hearts. At the same time, they are curious about one thing in particular: their fortunes for the year ahead.
Many people turn to fortune-telling books like the Tojeong Secrets or visit fortune-tellers to learn what fate awaits them. Some hope for good news, asking, “Will this year bring me happiness or success?” Others worry silently, wondering, “Will misfortune befall me this year?”
When we discuss “fortune” in relation to life, we often call it “fate.” Commonly, people believe that fate is something pre-determined.
But what exactly is fate? Does it truly exist?
A Rich Man and His Son
Once, a wealthy man finally had a son after turning forty—a significant age in those times, comparable to being over sixty today. The man, overjoyed at finally having a child, went to a renowned local seer to have his son’s fate foretold.
The seer declared, “This child is destined to die at the age of twenty-six, on such-and-such a date, from an animal attack.”
Hoping for good fortune, the man was devastated to hear that his precious son, in the prime of his life, would meet such a tragic end. He left, furious, cursing the seer.
As time passed, the man forgot about the prediction, and his son grew up healthy and strong.
When the son turned twenty-five, however, the father suddenly remembered the seer’s words. Anxiety consumed him, and he sought out another fortune-teller, paying a hefty sum for talismans to ward off his son’s ill fate. He plastered these talismans all over the house and even stuck one prominently on his son’s forehead.
As the foretold day approached, the father took extreme precautions. He killed every animal in the household, stationed guards inside and outside the house, and made sure no creature could get near.
He instructed his son sternly, “Just get through today safely. Keep the talisman on and don’t move, understand?”
“Yes, Father!” the son replied obediently.
The house was so secure that not even an ant could enter, and an eerie silence hung in the air.
But the son, with the talisman on his forehead, quickly grew restless. The more he tried to stay still, the more he squirmed. Eventually, he stumbled out of his room. The talisman obscured his vision, and as he fumbled around, he tripped on the threshold and fell.
In that moment, a stuffed tiger’s head hanging above the door fell. Its sharp teeth pierced his neck, killing him instantly.
True to the seer’s prediction, the young man died at precisely the foretold time, and in exactly the foretold manner.
Can Fate Be Changed?
All things in the universe influence one another, often imperceptibly. These influences can be helpful at times and highly obstructive at others. It is within this interplay of influences that individual fate or destiny exists.
But does this mean that fate is unchangeable? The answer is no. Fate can be overcome, and the key lies in wisdom. Wisdom is the universal blessing bestowed upon all creation.
Wisdom: The Key to Navigating Fate
The ocean is teeming with life. Most fish swim along with the current, moving in a predictable direction. People often think of fate as akin to a fish swimming along until it inevitably encounters a rock. In other words, certain risks or dangers are inherent in the path dictated by the current.
If a fish rushes headlong into a rock based on a fleeting memory—thinking, “Last time I saw thick vegetation, I pushed forward and overcame it”—the fish will meet its demise without even realizing it.
While it may seem impossible to avoid every obstacle, the wise approach is not to crash through the rock but to swim patiently around it, examining its size and finding a way past. This persistent effort to navigate the obstacle is what wisdom enables.
The Danger of Stubbornness
Why do people, despite priding themselves as the pinnacle of creation, fail to exercise this innate wisdom?
Often, it is because we cling stubbornly to our established ways of thinking and acting. We rely on outdated customs, rigid moral codes, or past experiences, which blind us to the possibilities of wiser solutions. This stubbornness clouds the vision of wisdom.
The most crucial aspect of life is to cultivate wisdom. To do so, we must be wary of asserting the “rightness” of our limited understanding. A fish that clings to a past strategy risks being caught by fate. Similarly, the moment we insist on the certainty of our knowledge, we become disciples of ignorance.
Wisdom Transcends Fate
Wisdom is not synonymous with intelligence or education. An educated person who clings to their knowledge may lack the flexibility that wisdom requires. On the other hand, wisdom harnesses knowledge to produce better outcomes.
To a wise person, fate’s obstacles become opportunities for growth. For someone lacking wisdom, fate becomes an inescapable prison. Even if such a person knows their destiny, they remain powerless against it.
If the young man in the earlier story had removed the talisman and kept his eyes open, he might have avoided his tragic end. This demonstrates that knowing one’s fate is useless without the wisdom to navigate it.
The True Role of Wisdom
Fortune-tellers may predict obstacles, but they cannot provide the tools to overcome them. This is why fortune-tellers often fail to lead successful lives themselves.
Life presents challenges to everyone, but we are all endowed with the wisdom to overcome them. When we approach obstacles wisely, we break free from the chains of fate and become like a phoenix, reborn with every moment.
Living wisely is our true destiny.