Uicheon
| Uicheon | |
|---|---|
| Daegakguksa ('National Preceptor Grand Enlightenment') | |
 | |
| Born | Wang Hu 1055 Gaegyeong,Goryeo |
| Died | 1101 (age 46) Chongji Temple (총지사 tổng trì tự ),Gaegyeong,Goryeo |
| Burial | Yeongtong Temple(영통사 linh thông tự ),Kaesong |
| House | House of Wang |
| Father | Munjong of Goryeo |
| Mother | Queen Inye of the Incheon Yi clan |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 왕후 or 왕석후 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Wang Hu or Wang Sukhu |
| McCune–Reischauer | Wang Hu or Wang Sŏk'u |
| Art name | |
| Hangul | 우세 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Woose |
| McCune–Reischauer | U'se |
| Courtesy name | |
| Hangul | 의천 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Uicheon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ŭich'ŏn |
| Posthumous name | |
| Hangul | 대각국사 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Daegakguksa[1] |
| McCune–Reischauer | Taekak'guksa |
Uicheon(28 September 1055 – 5 October 1101) was aKoreanRoyal Prince and influential Korean Buddhist scholar-monk during theGoryeo period(918–1392). He was the fourth son ofKing Munjong(1046–1083) andQueen Inyefrom theGyeongwon Yi clanand the younger brother ofSunjong,Seonjong,andSukjong.[2][3]
Overview
[edit]At age 11, Uicheon volunteered to become a Buddhist monk.[4]In 1065, he studied at the Yeongtong Temple (영통사;Linh thông tự) under Buddhist monkNanwon(난원;Lạn viên) who was his maternal relative and studied the Buddhist and Confucian canons.[3]Uicheon displayed exceptional talents from a young age, and he dedicated himself to the extensive study of theChinese Buddhist canon,the works of the various East AsianBuddhist schools,along with theChinese classics.
Uicheon lived atRyongtongsainKaesongfor much of his life and was buried there, where his tomb can be found. He was a prolific author, scholar and Buddhist teacher who specialized inHuayanstudies and theAvataṃsaka Sūtra,having studied in China with Huayan masters.[5]He is also known for introducing the works of theCheontaeschool toKorean Buddhism.[6]He was also known by the title Daegak Guksa ( đại giác quốc sư, "State Preceptor Great Awakening" ).
Uicheon's reputation eventually reached China, and he eventually was patronized by ChineseEmperor Zhezong.Uicheon and his party eventually visited the Song Dynasty capital and met with Emperor Zhezong. Subsequently, they visited several prominent monasteries such as Jingyuan Monastery ( tịnh nguyên tự ) and Yanglian Monastery (懹 liễn tự ), where they engaged in discussions with over 50 eminent monks. Uicheon made many connections with Chinese masters during this time, particularly with scholars of Huayan sect such as Jinshui Jingyuan ( tĩnh nguyên, 1011–1088) with whom he continued to exchange letters after returning to Korea. Jingyuan also sent Uicheon Huayan texts.[5]
Uicheon also visited theLiaodynasty, visiting various key sites and meeting with Liao monks. He even became a priest forEmperor Daozong of Liaobefore returning to Korea.
Back in Korea, Uicheon's reputation had continued to grow and he was warmly welcomed. King Seonjong recognized the importance of reviving Buddhism and invited Uicheon to assume the position of head monk atHeungwang Temple.He established a repository for the scriptures at Heungwang Temple and also collected scriptures from China and Japan. He published the "Collection of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra" (화엄소초), which consisted of more than 4,740 volumes.
From 1073 to 1090, Uicheon collected numerous Buddhist commentaries from Korea, China, theKhitan EmpireandJapan,which were published as the "Goryeo Catalog of Sutras" (or "Goryeo Supplement to the Canon" ).[7]
In his later life, Uicheon continued his long distance engagement with Song Dynasty scholars while also teaching Korean disciples. His legacy includes compilations such as "New Compilation of the Teachings of the Seon Sect" (신편제종교장총록), and "Songs and Trees of the Stone Garden" (석원사림), among others.
Works
[edit]- Sinpyeonjejonggyojangchongnokvol. 3 (신편제종교장총록 3권)
- Sinjipwonjongmullyuvol. 22 (신집원종문류;Tân tập viên tông văn loại 22권)
- Seokwonsarimvol. 250 (석원사림;Thích uyển từ lâm 250권)
- Daegakguksamunjibvol. 23 of deeds and poems (대각국사문집;Đại giác quốc sư văn tập 23권 행적과 시 문집)
- Daegakguksawoejipvol. 13 (대각국사외집;Đại giác quốc sư ngoại tập 13권)
- Ganjeongseongyusiknondangwavol. 3 (간정성유식론단과;Khan định thành duy thức luận đan khoa 3권)
- Cheontaesagyouijuvol. 3 (천태사교의주;Thiên đài tứ giáo nghi chú 3권)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Guksawas his title (‘National Preceptor’), whileDaegakwas his posthumousDharma name,meaning "Grand Enlightenment".
- ^Jae-eun Kang (2006).The Land of Scholars: Two Thousand Years of Korean Confucianism.Homa & Sekey Books. p. 108.ISBN978-1-931907-37-8.
- ^ab"의천".Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.Retrieved14 August2023.
- ^Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (한국민족문화대백과사전), entry for 의천.
- ^abMcBride II, Richard D.,Uichon and the Golden Age of Koryo Buddhism - Nam Center for Korean Studies Colloquium Series 1/12/2011,retrieved14 August2023
- ^Buswell, Robert Jr;Lopez, Donald S. Jr.,eds. (2013).Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism.Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. pp. 912–913.ISBN9780691157863.
- ^Sang-jin Park (18 September 2014).Under the Microscope: The Secrets of the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks.Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 23.ISBN978-1-4438-6732-0.
External links
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