Joshin is a monk. One day, Dal-lae, a young maiden visits the temple. Dal-lae is a sight to behold and it's difficult for Joshin to control his desire. Drowning in his own earthly desires, Joshin forgets his social standing and attacks Dal-lae while she is bathing. As a result, the two leave the village to form a family. They have two children and own a dye store but Joshin can't possess her heart. Dal-lae sleeps with the employee and torments Joshin. Meanwhile, Mo-rae, Dal-lae's fiancee is out to behead Josin. Later, Dal-lae has become a prostitute and Joshin becomes an opium addict. Many years later, Joshin searches for Dal-lae but the only thing he finds out is that she is dead. He finds out that she died in a village of lepers. Living alone by the sea, Joshin makes a statue of Dal-lae. Mo-rae finally finds Joshin but he has no choice but to forgive Joshin and the old Joshin collapses in front fo the temple. But this was all a dream.