The Venerable Beopjeong, a much-respected Buddhist monk and author of top-selling essay collections, died from lung cancer yesterday. He was 77.

Beopjeong, whose most famous book is "Without Possession," maintained a frugal and secluded life while preaching the virtue of possessing nothing, a soothing message to Koreans tired of chasing their possessive desire in vain.

"When you do not own anything, you actually own everything in the world." This one line in "Without Possession," a collection of 35 short essays, sums up the Venerable Beopjeong's lifelong philosophy.

First published in April 1976, "Without Possession" has sold about 3 million copies in a period spanning about 30 years, inspiring many Korean readers with his refined and thought-provoking prose.

Born Oct. 8, 1932 in the southwestern area of Haenam, South Jeolla Province, Beopjeong spent his childhood in Mokpo. His first encounter with the fundamental question of human limitations came during the bloody Korean War. In 1955, he left his home in search of a new start in his question-laden life.