The
Goryeo Dynasty or
Koryŏ (Officially the
Kingdom of Goryeo) (918-1392) was a
sovereign stateA sovereign state is a political association with effective internal and external sovereignty over a geographic area and population which is not dependent on, or subject to any other power or state...
established in 918 by
King TaejoTaejo of Goryeo , was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century.- Background :...
. It united the
Later Three KingdomsThe Later Three Kingdoms of Korea consisted of Silla, Hubaekje , and Taebong . The latter two were viewed as heirs to the earlier Three Kingdoms of Korea, which had been united by Silla...
in 936 and ruled most of the
Korean peninsulaThe Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan on the east, the East China Sea to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two...
until it was removed by the
Joseon dynastyJoseon , was a Korean sovereign state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo Kingdom at what is today the city of Kaesong...
in 1392. Goryeo expanded its borders to present-day
WonsanWŏnsan is a port city and naval base in southeastern North Korea. It is the capital of Kangwŏn Province. The population of the city is estimated to have been 94,003 in 2000. Famous people from Wŏnsan include Kim Ki Nam, diplomat and Secretary of the Workers' Party.- History :The original name of...
in the north-east (936~943) and the
Amnok RiverThe Yalu River or the Amnok River is a river on the border between China and North Korea. The Chinese name comes from a Manchu word meaning "the boundary between two countries"...
(993) and finally almost the whole of the Korean peninsula (1374).
Two of this period's most notable products are Goryeo celadon pottery and the
Tripitaka KoreanaThe Tripitaka Koreana or Palman Daejanggyeong is a Korean collection of the Tripitaka , carved onto 81,340 wooden printing blocks in the 13th century...
— the Buddhist scriptures (
TripitakaThe ' is the Sanskrit term used by Westerners for a Buddhist canon of scriptures. Asian Buddhists of the Theravada Buddhist school use the term Tipitaka to refer to the Pali Canon...
) carved onto roughly 80,000 woodblocks and stored, and still in,
HaeinsaHaeinsa is one of the foremost Chogye Buddhist temples in South Korea. Its geographical location is . It is most notable for being the home of the Tripitaka Koreana, the whole of the Buddhist Scriptures carved onto 81,258 wooden printing blocks, which it has housed since 1398.Haeinsa is one of...
. Goryeo also created the world's first metal-based
movable typeMovable type is the system of printing and typography that uses movable components to reproduce the elements of a document . The first known movable type system was invented in China by Bi Sheng out of ceramic between 1041 and 1048. Metal movable type was first invented in Korea during the Goryeo...
printing pressA printing press is a mechanical device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a medium , thereby transferring an image. The mechanical systems involved were first assembled in Germany by the goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg around 1440, based on existing screw-presses used to press...
in 1234 and the oldest surviving movable metal type book, the
JikjiJikji is the abbreviated title of a Korean Buddhist document, whose full title can be translated "The Monk Baegun's Anthology of the Great Priests' Teachings on Identification of the Buddha’s Spirit by the Practice of Seon." Printed during the Goryeo Dynasty in 1377, it is the world's oldest...
, was made in 1377.
In 668,
SillaSilla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and the longest sustained dynasty in Asian history. Although it was founded by King Park Hyeokgeose, who is also known to be the originator of the Korean family name Park , the dynasty was to see the Kyungju Kim clan hold rule for most of its...
conquered
BaekjeBaekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
and
GoguryeoGoguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
with
Tang DynastyThe Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
help, but by the late 9th century it was tottering, its monarchs being unimaginative and pressed by the power of powerful statesmen. Many burglars and outlaws bubbled and in 900
Gyeon HwonGyeon Hwon was the king and founder of Hubaekje, one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea. Some records render his name as "Jin Hwon" . He was also the progenitor of the Hwanggan Gyeon clan...
revolted from Silla control in the
JeollaJeolla was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Jeolla was located in the southwest of Korea. The provincial capital was Jeonju.-History:...
region as
HubaekjeHubaekje, or Later Baekje, was one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea, along with Hugoguryeo and Silla. It was officially founded by the disaffected Silla general Gyeon Hwon in 900, and fell to Wanggeon's Goryeo army in 936. Its capital was at Jeonju, in present-day North Jeolla province...
and next year
Gung YeGung Ye was the king of a short-lived state on the Korean peninsula. Although he was a member of the Silla royal family, he became a victim of power struggle among royal family members at the late 9th century Silla and at last became rebel leader against the unpopular Silla government, which...
revolted from the northern regions as Hugoguryeo (Taebong). A son-of-a regional lord, Wang Geon went into Hugoguryeo as a general.
Hugoguryeo fell when Wang Geon revolted and killed Gung Ye in 918, and the tottering
SillaSilla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and the longest sustained dynasty in Asian history. Although it was founded by King Park Hyeokgeose, who is also known to be the originator of the Korean family name Park , the dynasty was to see the Kyungju Kim clan hold rule for most of its...
was too overpowered by Goryeo and Hubaekje and surrendered to Goryeo in 935. In 936 Hubaekje surrendered and Goryeo started a unbroken dynasty that ruled Korea for 474 years.
By the 14th century Goryeo was tottering under
Yuan DynastyThe Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was both the continuation of the Mongol Empire and the Mongol founded historical state in Mongolia and China, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. Although the dynasty was established by Kublai Khan, he had his grandfather Genghis Khan placed on the...
control. Although King
GongminKing Gongmin ruled Goryeo Dynasty Korea from 1351 until 1374.He was the second son of King Chungsuk. In addition to his various Korean names , he bore the Mongolian name Bayàn Temür .-Background:...
managed to "free" his kingdom from the Mongolian yoke, the Goryeo general
Yi SeonggyeTaejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
revolted and overthrew the last king of Goryeo, King
GongyangGongyang of Goryeo was the 34th and final ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was deposed by Yi Seonggye, who then established the Joseon Dynasty....
in 1392. Gongyang was killed in 1394.
The name "Goryeo" is derived from "
GoguryeoGoguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
," one of the ancient
Three Kingdoms of KoreaThe Three Kingdoms of Korea refer to the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium CE...
. The English name
"Korea" derives from "Goryeo." See also
Names of KoreaThere are various names of Korea in use today, derived from ancient kingdoms and dynasties. The modern English name Korea is an exonym derived from the Goryeo period and is used by both North Korea and South Korea in international contexts...
.
Background
SillaSilla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and the longest sustained dynasty in Asian history. Although it was founded by King Park Hyeokgeose, who is also known to be the originator of the Korean family name Park , the dynasty was to see the Kyungju Kim clan hold rule for most of its...
, which had accomplished an incomplete unification of the
Three Kingdoms of KoreaThe Three Kingdoms of Korea refer to the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium CE...
in 668, weakened and lost control over local lords during the end of the 9th century. The country entered a period of civil war and rebellion, led by
Gung YeGung Ye was the king of a short-lived state on the Korean peninsula. Although he was a member of the Silla royal family, he became a victim of power struggle among royal family members at the late 9th century Silla and at last became rebel leader against the unpopular Silla government, which...
, Gi Hwon, Yang Gil, and
Gyeon HwonGyeon Hwon was the king and founder of Hubaekje, one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea. Some records render his name as "Jin Hwon" . He was also the progenitor of the Hwanggan Gyeon clan...
.
Gung Ye established Hugoguryeo (meaning "Later
GoguryeoGoguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
", renamed
TaebongTaebong or Later Goguryeo was a state established by Gung Ye on the Korean peninsula in 901, during the Later Three Kingdoms period....
and
MajinMajin is a Japanese term that has two meanings depends on its kanji. With kanji 魔神, it refers to "demon god". With kanji 魔人, it means a magical being Majin is a Japanese term that has two meanings depends on its kanji. With kanji 魔神, it refers to "demon god". With kanji 魔人, it means a magical being...
). Gyeon Hwon established
HubaekjeHubaekje, or Later Baekje, was one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea, along with Hugoguryeo and Silla. It was officially founded by the disaffected Silla general Gyeon Hwon in 900, and fell to Wanggeon's Goryeo army in 936. Its capital was at Jeonju, in present-day North Jeolla province...
(meaning "Later
BaekjeBaekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
"). Together with the declining Silla, they are known as the Later Three Kingdoms.
Founding
Wang GeonTaejo of Goryeo , was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century.- Background :...
, a descendant of a merchant family of
SongdoSongdo , meaning "city of pines," can refer to:*Kaesong, North KoreaSongdo , meaning "isle of pines," can refer to:*New Songdo City, a planned ubiquitous city near Incheon, South Korea*Songdo *Songdo , area 2.4 km²....
(present-day
KaesŏngKaesŏng is a city in North Hwanghae Province, southern North Korea , a former Directly Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Koryo Dynasty. The city is near Kaesŏng Industrial Region and it contains the remains of the Manwoldae palace. It was formally named Songdo while it was the...
), joined Taebong but overthrew Gung Ye and established the Goryeo Kingdom and Dynasty in 918.
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/apcity/unpan014460.pdf
Goryeo adopted a Silla-friendly Hubaekje-hostile stage in the later Three Kingdoms, but in 927, Goryeo was defeated by Hubaekje in present-day
DaeguDaegu , also spelled Taegu, and officially called the Daegu Metropolitan City, with over 2.5 million people, is the fourth largest city in South Korea after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon...
. Wang Kon lost his best supporters in the battle. For 3 years after the battle, Hubaekje dominated the Later Three Kingdoms but after a defeat in 930, Hubaekje lost power.
The Later Three Kingdoms era ended as Goryeo annexed Silla in 935 and defeated Hubaekje in 936. Wang Geon moved the capital to his hometown Kaesǒng, and ruled the Korean peninsula as the first supreme king of Goryeo.
Political structure
The terminology used in the court of Goryeo adopted the system of an empire, not of a kingdom. The capital,
KaeseongKaesŏng is a city in North Hwanghae Province, southern North Korea , a former Directly Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Koryo Dynasty. The city is near Kaesŏng Industrial Region and it contains the remains of the Manwoldae palace. It was formally named Songdo while it was the...
, was called "Imperial Capital" (황도, 皇都) and the palace was referred to as "Imperial Palace" (황성, 皇城). Other terms, such as "Your (Imperial) Majesty" (폐하, 陛下), "Prince" (태자, 太子), "Empress Dowager" (태후, 太后), and "Imperial Ordinance" (詔 or 勅) also suggest that Goryeo adopted the title system of an empire. However, Goryeo usually does not use the term of an "emperor(황제, 皇帝)" for rulers, instead a supreme king (대왕, 大王) was used for the rulers. But sometimes the term of an "emperor(황제, 皇帝)" or "emperor of the east of the ocean(해동천자, 海東天子)" were used. After the Mongol invasion, these terms were prohibited by Mongolian emperors.
In order to strengthen the power of the central government,
GwangjongGwangjong was the fourth monarch of the Goryeo, which ruled Korea from the fall of Silla in 935 until the founding of Joseon in 1392.Gwangjong was a reformer...
, the fourth supreme king made a series of laws including that of freeing slaves in 958, and one creating the exam for hiring civil officials. Gwangjong also proclaimed himself Emperor, independent from any other countries.
The fifth supreme
king GyeongjongGyeongjong of Goryeo was the fifth ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the eldest son of Gwangjong, and was confirmed as Crown Prince in the year of his birth....
(
hangulHangul is the native alphabet of the Korean language, as distinguished from the logographic Sino-Korean hanja system...
: 경종,
hanjaHanja is the Korean name for Chinese characters. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 景宗), launched land-ownership reformation called Jeonsigwa (
hangulHangul is the native alphabet of the Korean language, as distinguished from the logographic Sino-Korean hanja system...
: 전시과,
hanjaHanja is the Korean name for Chinese characters. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 田柴科) and the 6th supreme
king SeongjongSeongjong of Goryeo was the sixth monarch of the medieval Korean kingdom Goryeo. He was the second son of Daejong, and a grandson of Emperor Taejo. He ascended the throne after Gyeongjong stepped down....
(
hangulHangul is the native alphabet of the Korean language, as distinguished from the logographic Sino-Korean hanja system...
: 성종,
hanjaHanja is the Korean name for Chinese characters. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 成宗) appointed officials to local areas, which were previously succeeded by the lords. Between 993 and 1019, the
Goryeo-Khitan WarsThe Goryeo-Khitan Wars were a series of 10th- and 11th-century invasions of Korea's Goryeo Dynasty by the Khitan Liao Dynasty near the present-day border between China and North Korea. It resulted in the defeat of Liao Dynasty.-Background:...
ravaged the northern border.
By the time of eleventh supreme
king MunjongMunjong was the 11th monarch of the Goryeo that ruled Korea from 1046 to 1083.Emperor Munjong was born in 1019 and reigned from 1046 until his death in 1083. During his reign, the central government of Goryeo gained complete authority and power over local lords. Munjong and later emperors...
(
hangulHangul is the native alphabet of the Korean language, as distinguished from the logographic Sino-Korean hanja system...
: 문종,
hanjaHanja is the Korean name for Chinese characters. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 文宗), the central government of Goryeo gained complete authority and power over local lords. Munjong and later supreme kings emphasized the importance of
civilian leadership over the militaryCivilian control of the military is a doctrine in military and political science that places ultimate responsibility for a country's strategic decision-making in the hands of the civilian political leadership, rather than professional military officers. One author, paraphrasing Samuel P...
.
Khitan invasions (993 - 1019) and Jurchen expedition
In 993, the
KhitanThe Liao Dynasty , 907-1125, also known as the Khitan Empire , was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper...
invaded Goryeo's northwest border with an estimated 60,000 troops. However, after
Seo HuiSeo Hui was a Korean politician and diplomat during the early days of the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea . Seo is best remembered for his diplomatic skills that led 800,000 Khitan troops to withdraw from Goryeo without a battle.-Family:...
's negotiation with Khitan, they withdrew and ceded territory to the east of the Amnok River when Goryeo agreed to end its alliance with
Song DynastyThe Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
China. However, Goryeo continued to communicate with the Song, having strengthened its position by building a fortress in the newly gained northern territories.
Meanwhile, In 1009, General
Gang JoGang Jo [강조] was a Goryeo general who served under Emperor Mokjong of Goryeo and Emperor Hyeonjong of Goryeo. General Gang Jo was a general in charge of the Northern border army.- Rise to power :...
of Goryeo led a coup against
King MokjongMokjong of Goryeo was the seventh ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea.-Reign:Mokjong is known for his reform of the Jeonsigwa , and for a plot by his mother, Empress Cheonchu and Kim Chi-yang to overthrow him...
, killing the king and establishing military rule. In 1010, The Khitan attacked again with 400,000 troops during an internal Goryeo power struggle. Gang Jo blocked the Liao invasions until his own death. The Goryeo
King HyeonjongHyeonjong of Goryeo was the 8th ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was a grandson of Emperor Taejo. He was appointed by the military leader Gang Jo, whom the previous Emperor Mokjong had called upon to destroy a plot by Kim Chi-yang.In 1010, The Khitan attacked again during an internal...
was forced to flee the capital to
NajuNaju is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.The capital of South Jeolla was located at Naju until it was moved to Gwangju during early 20th century. The name Jeolla actually originates from the first character of Jeonju and the first character of Naju . Dongshin University is situated in...
temporarily. Unable to establish a foothold and fearing a counterattack, the Khitan forces withdrew.
In 1018, the Khitan army invaded for the third time with 100,000 troops. In Heunghaejin stream, General
Gang Gam-chanGang Gam-chan was a medieval Korean government official and military commander during the early days of Goryeo Dynasty . Even though he was a career scholar and government official, he is best known for his military victories during the Third Goryeo-Khitan War.-Goryeo-Khitan Wars:In 993, the Liao...
ordered the stream to be blocked until the Khitans began to cross it, and when the Khitans were mid-way across, he ordered that the dam be destroyed so that the water would drown much of the Khitan army. The damage was great, and General Gang led a massive attack that annihilated many of the Khitan army. Barely a few thousand of the Liao troops survived after the bitter defeat at Kwiju one year later.
Meanwhile, the Jurchen tribes lived to the north of Goryeo. The Jurchens always rendered tribute to the kings of Goryeo, but the Jurchen tribes grew strong, and were soon united under
WanyanWanyan was a Heishui Mohe tribe living in the drainage region of the Heilong River during the Khitan Liao Dynasty time. It was part of "uncivilized Jurchen", which means that the tribe was not subordinated to the direct ruling of Khitan Emperors...
. They began to violate the Goryeo-Jurchen borders, and eventually invaded Goryeo.
In 1107, General Yun Gwan led the newly-formed Goryeo army, a force of approximately 17 thousand men called
ByeolmubanByeolmuban is the name of a special army unit in the time of Korea's Goryeo Dynasty . The word byeol literally means star, but also has the meaning of special. Founding of the army was initiated by Yun Gwan during the reign of king Sukjong of Goryeo.The army was put together to fight the Jurchen...
, and attacked the Jurchens. Though the war lasted for several years, the Jurchen were ultimately defeated, and surrendered to Yun Gwan. To mark the victory, General Yun built nine fortresses to the northeast of the Goryeo-Jurchen borders (
HangulHangul is the native alphabet of the Korean language, as distinguished from the logographic Sino-Korean hanja system...
:동북 9성,
HanjaHanja is the Korean name for Chinese characters. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
:東北九城). In 1108, however, General Yoon was given orders to withdraw his troops by Goryeo's new ruler,
King YejongYejong of Goryeo was the 16th monarch of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. He was the son of king Sukjong and Queen Myeongui...
. Due to manipulation and court-intrigue from opposing factions, he was discharged from his post. Along with this, the opposing factions fought to make sure that the new nine fortresses were returned to the Jurchens.
Power struggles
The House Yi of Inju (인주 이씨, 仁州李氏) married the supreme kings from Munjong to the 17th supreme king,
InjongInjong of Goryeo was the 17th monarch of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. He was the eldest son of king Yejong and Empress Sundeok....
. Eventually the Yis gained more power than the supreme king himself. This led to the coup of Yi Ja-gyeom in 1126. The coup failed but the power of the monarch was weakened; Goryeo underwent a civil war among the nobility.
In 1135,
Myo CheongMyo Cheong was an influential Buddhist monk and geomancer of the royal court who lived during the Goryeo Dynasty in Korea.-Myo Cheong's Rebellion:...
argued in favor of moving the capital to Seogyeong (present day
P'yŏngyangPyongyang is the capital of North Korea, located on the Taedong River. According to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, it has a population of 3,255,388.The city was split from the South P'yŏngan province in 1946...
). This proposal divided the nobles of Goryeo in half. One faction, led by Myo Cheong, believed in moving the capital to Pyongyang and expanding into
ManchuriaManchuria is a historical name given to a vast geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria either falls entirely within China, or is divided between China and Russia...
. The other one, led by
Kim Bu-sikKim Busik was an official and a scholar during Korea's Goryeo period. He is best known for compiling the Samguk Sagi, the oldest extant record of Korean history....
(author of the
Samguk SagiSamguk Sagi is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. The Samguk Sagi is written in Classical Chinese and its compilation was ordered by Goryeo's King Injong Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of...
), wanted to keep the status quo. Myo Cheong failed to persuade the King and rebelled against the central government and made a country named Daebang, but failed and was killed.
In 1170, a group of army officers led by
Jeong Jung-buJeong Jung-bu was a medieval Korean soldier and military dictator during Goryeo Dynasty . He was a career soldier, qualified on military part of civil service examination...
,
Yi Ui-bangYi Ui-bang was a military ruler of Korea during the Goryeo period.-Background:Yi originated from the Jeonju Yi clan . He subsequently joined the military and rose in ranks, becoming a minister in the scholar dominated government....
and
Yi GoYi Go was a military ruler in Korea. He, with many other military colonels, overthrew King Euijong in the year 1170.When he proceeded to plan a revolt, he was murdered by Yi Ui-bang....
launched a
coup d'étatA coup d'état , or coup for short, is the sudden unconstitutional deposition of a legitimate government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another, either civil or military...
and succeeded. Supreme king Euijong went into exile and
supreme king MyeongjongKing Myeongjong was monarch of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He was the third son of Emperor Injong.Although it was intended that Injong's second son should succeed his father, he was assassinated because Jeong Jung-bu feared that he might become a threat to him in the future...
was made a king. Effective power, however, lay with a succession of generals who used an elite guard unit known as the
TobangTobang , also written as Dobang, was a Koryo Dynasty private military unit that originated as the personal body guard for Gyeong Dae-seung . After the military revolt of the generals in 1170 during the reign of King Uijong of Goryeo, a series of generals culminating in the Choe military dictators,...
to control the king: Military rule of Goryeo had begun. In 1179, the young general
Gyeong Dae-seungGyeong Dae-seung was the second major military dictators who ruled during the late period of the Goryeo Empire. Unlike his predecessors, General Gyeong was determined to fix the empire's problems and help the people prosper. His popularity with the people aroused the jealousy of Emperor...
rose to power and began an attempt to restore the full power of the monarch and purge the corruption of the state.
However, he died in 1183, and was succeeded by the son of a slave
Yi Ui-minYi Ui-min was one of the third major military dictators that ruled Goryeo prior to the Mongol Invasions. When Gyeong Dae-seung died, Yi Ui-min, originally of slave status, seized power. He ruled for 13 years, but was eventually assassinated by General Choe Chungheon in 1196....
. His unrestrained corruption and cruelty led to a coup by a more traditionalist general, Choe Chungheon, who assassinated Yi Ui-min and took supreme power in 1197. For the next 61 years, the Choe house ruled as military dictators, maintaining the supreme kings as puppet monarchs; Choe Chungheon was succeeded in turn by his son
Choe UChoe Woo was the second Choe dictator of the Ubong Choe Military regime. He himself went out on the battlefield to lead in fighting off the Mongolian invasions. Then he realized that the government was no longer safe at the capital city of Kaesong, and so he forced the king and his officials to...
, his grandson
Choe HangChoe Hang was the third dictator of the Choe Military regime, which dominated Goryeo for six decades before and during the Mongol invasions. Choe Hang continued on his predecessor Choe U's anti-Mongol policy, and refused to surrender to the invaders....
and his great-grandson Choe Ui. On taking power, Choe Chungheon forced Myeongjong off the throne and replaced him with
Supreme king SinjongKing Sinjong of Goryeo was the twentieth monarch of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. The fifth son of King Injong, Sinjong took the throne after his brother King Myeongjong was sent into exile by Choe Chungheon....
, but after Sinjong died he forced two further kings off the throne until he found the pliable
king GojongGojong of Goryeo was the twenty-third ruler of Goryeo in present-day Korea. Gojong's reign was marked by prolonged conflict with the Mongol Empire, which sought to conquer Goryeo, ending only when the kingdom was finally vassalized in 1259.Although ascending to the throne in 1213, Gojong did not...
.
Mongol invasions (1231 - 1350)
In 1231, Mongolians under
Ögedei KhanÖgedei Khan, , was the third son of Genghis Khan and second Great Khan of the Mongol Empire by succeeding his father...
invaded Goryeo, as part of a general campaign to conquer China. The royal court moved to
Ganghwa IslandGanghwa Island is an island in the estuary of the Han River, on the west coast of South Korea. About 65,500 people live on the island. With an area of 302.4 km², it constitutes most of Ganghwa-gun, a division of Incheon Municipality. About half of the island's population reside in Ganghwa-eup, or...
in the Bay of Gyeonggi, in 1232. The military ruler of the time,
Choe UChoe Woo was the second Choe dictator of the Ubong Choe Military regime. He himself went out on the battlefield to lead in fighting off the Mongolian invasions. Then he realized that the government was no longer safe at the capital city of Kaesong, and so he forced the king and his officials to...
(최우), insisted on fighting back. Goryeo resisted for about 30 years but finally sued for peace in 1259.
Meanwhile, the Mongols began a campaign from 1231 to 1259 that ravaged parts of
GyeongsangGyeongsang was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongsang was located in the southeast of Korea....
and
JeollaJeolla was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Jeolla was located in the southwest of Korea. The provincial capital was Jeonju.-History:...
provinces. There were six major campaigns: 1231, 1232, 1235, 1238, 1247, 1253; between 1253 and 1258, the Mongols under Jalairtai launched four devastating invasions in the final successful campaign against Korea, at tremendous cost to civilian lives throughout the Korean peninsula, ultimately resulting in Korea becoming a tributary of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty.
Civilian resistance was strong, and the Imperial Court at Ganghwa attempted to strengthen its fortress. Korea won several victories but the Korean military could not withstand the waves of invasions. In 1236, Gojong ordered the re-creation of the
Tripitaka KoreanaThe Tripitaka Koreana or Palman Daejanggyeong is a Korean collection of the Tripitaka , carved onto 81,340 wooden printing blocks in the 13th century...
, destroyed during the 1232 invasion. This collection of
BuddhistBuddhism, as traditionally conceived, is a path of salvation attained through insight into the ultimate nature of reality. It encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha...
scriptures took 15 years to carve on some 81,000 wooden blocks, and is preserved to this day. In March 1258, the dictator Choe U was assassinated by Kim Jun. Thus, dictatorship by his military group was ended, and the scholars who had insisted on peace with Mongolia gained power. Eventually, the scholars sent an envoy to the Mongols, and a peace treaty was contracted between the Mongol Empire and Goryeo. Some military officials who refused to surrender formed the
Sambyeolcho RebellionThe Sambyeolcho Rebellion was a Korean rebellion against the Goryeo Dynasty that happened at the last stage of the Mongol invasions of Korea.-Background:...
and resisted in the islands off the southern shore of the
Korean peninsulaThe Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan on the east, the East China Sea to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two...
..
The treaty permitted the sovereign power and traditional cultures of Goryeo, and implied that the Mongols gave up controlling Goryeo under Mongolia's direct rule Mongolia had annexed the northern provinces of Korea after the invasions and incorporated them into their empire. After the peace treaty with Goryeo, the Mongols planned to conquer Japan by allying with Goryeo troops; in 1274 and 1281
the Japan CampaignThe ' of 1274 and 1281 were major military invasions and conquests undertaken by Kublai Khan to take the Japanese islands after the capitulation of Goryeo . Despite their ultimate failure, the invasion attempts are of macrohistorical importance, because they set a limit on Mongol expansion, and...
took place; however, it failed due to a heavy storm (called the Kamikaze) and strong military resistance.
Beginning with
King WonjongWonjong of Goryeo was the 24th ruler of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He ascended to the throne with the help of Kublai Khan...
, Korea was tributary of the Mongol
Yuan DynastyThe Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was both the continuation of the Mongol Empire and the Mongol founded historical state in Mongolia and China, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. Although the dynasty was established by Kublai Khan, he had his grandfather Genghis Khan placed on the...
. Goryeo had sent 36 tributary missions to the Yuan court during the reign of
Kublai KhanKublai or Khubilai Khan , was the fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire from 1260 to 1294 and the founder of the Yuan Dynasty...
. The Goryeo Dynasty survived under Mongolian influences until King Gongmin began to push Mongolian garrisons back around 1350. By the 1350s Goryeo regained its independence.
Last reform
Goryeo was dominated by the Mongol
Yuan DynastyThe Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was both the continuation of the Mongol Empire and the Mongol founded historical state in Mongolia and China, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. Although the dynasty was established by Kublai Khan, he had his grandfather Genghis Khan placed on the...
when
King GongminKing Gongmin ruled Goryeo Dynasty Korea from 1351 until 1374.He was the second son of King Chungsuk. In addition to his various Korean names , he bore the Mongolian name Bayàn Temür .-Background:...
took over the throne. He was forced to spend many years in the Yuan court, being sent there in 1341 as a virtual prisoner before becoming a king. He married the Mongol princess Queen Noguk (노국대장공주, 魯國大長公主). But in the mid-14th century Yuan was beginning to crumble, soon to be replaced by the
Ming dynastyThe Ming Dynasty , or Empire of the Great Ming , was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history," was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
in 1368. King Gongmin began efforts to reform Goryeo government and repulse the Mongolian influences.
His first act was to remove all pro-Mongol aristocrats and military officers from their positions. Mongols had annexed the northern provinces of Korea after the invasions and incorporated them into their empire as
SsangseongSouth Hamgyŏng is a province of North Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Hamgyŏng Province, remained a province of Korea until 1945, then became a province of North Korea...
(쌍성총관부, 雙城摠管府) and
DongnyeongNorth P'yŏngan is a province of North Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former P'yŏngan Province, remained a province of Korea until 1945, then became a province of North Korea. Its capital is Sinŭiju...
(동녕부, 東寧府). The Goryeo army retook these provinces partly thanks to defection from
Yi Ja-chunYi Ja-chun was a minor officer of the Yuan Dynasty and the father of Yi Seong-gye, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty...
, a minor Korean official in service of Mongols in Ssangseong, and his son Yi Seonggye. In addition, Generals Yi Seonggye and Ji Yongsu led a campaign into Liaoyang. But after the death of Gongmin's wife Queen Noguk in 1365, he fell into depression. In the end, he became indifferent to politics and entrusted that great task to the monk Shin Don (신돈, 辛旽). But after six years, Shin Don lost his position. In the end, Gongmin was killed by his favorite young men, shattering his dream and putting Goryeo on the road to collapse.
Fall
In 1388,
King UU of Goryeo ruled Goryeo from 1374 until 1388.-Cultural background:In the thirteenth century, Mongol forces had advanced into China, and established the Yuan Dynasty in 1271. After a series of Mongol invasions, Goryeo eventually capitulated and became a vassal of the Yuan Dynasty, and would...
(son of
King GongminKing Gongmin ruled Goryeo Dynasty Korea from 1351 until 1374.He was the second son of King Chungsuk. In addition to his various Korean names , he bore the Mongolian name Bayàn Temür .-Background:...
and a palace slave girl) and general
Choe YeongChoe Yong was a Korean general born in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, in Goryeo .-Early years:Despite being born into a relatively wealthy family, his beginnings were humble, and his lifestyle would best be described as spartan...
planned a campaign to invade present-day
Liaoning' is a northeastern province of the People's Republic of China. Its one-character abbreviation is Liao ."Liáo" is an ancient name for this region, which was adopted by the Liao Dynasty which ruled this area between 907 and 1125. "Níng" means "peacefulness"...
of China. King U put the general
Yi Seong-gyeTaejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
(later
TaejoTaejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
) in charge, but he stopped at the border and rebelled.
Goryeo fell to General
Yi Seong-gyeTaejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
, a son of a (Korean ethnic) Yi ja-chun, who put to death the last three Goryeo Kings, usurped the throne and established in 1392 the
Joseon DynastyJoseon , was a Korean sovereign state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo Kingdom at what is today the city of Kaesong...
.
Foreign relations
During the tenth century, the Khitans tried to establish relations with Goryeo at least on two occasions. In 942, the Khitan ruler
TaizuTaizu of the Liao Dynasty was emperor of the Khitan Empire . His given name was Abaoji . Some sources also suggest that the surname Yelü Taizu of the Liao Dynasty was emperor of the Khitan Empire (907-926). His given name was Abaoji (阿保機). Some sources also suggest that the surname Yelü Taizu of...
sent an embassy with a gift of 50 camels to Goryeo, but
TaejoTaejo of Goryeo , was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century.- Background :...
refused them, banishing the envoys and starving the camels to death. In 951, when the state of Huju (Later Zhou) was established in China, Goryeo made a turn to that side and 9 years later, shifted to the
Song dynastyThe Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
. Relations with Song were close, with many embassies being exchanged between Goryeo and Song, but relations would be interrupted by the rise of the Liao and Jin dynasties. After about 30 years of peace, the
KhitansThe Liao Dynasty , 907-1125, also known as the Khitan Empire , was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper...
invaded Goryeo. It failed and after two other failed attempts, a state of peace was established in the Far East. For around 100 years, the Far East was relatively peaceful and
MunjongMunjong was the 11th monarch of the Goryeo that ruled Korea from 1046 to 1083.Emperor Munjong was born in 1019 and reigned from 1046 until his death in 1083. During his reign, the central government of Goryeo gained complete authority and power over local lords. Munjong and later emperors...
strengthened the Liao-Song-Goryeo line. In 1102, the Jin Dynasty threatened and another crisis emerged. But after Yejong agreed to a tributary relationship, peace was maintained and Jin never actually did invade Goryeo. Tension continued through the 12th century and into the 13th century, when the
Mongol invasionsThe Mongol invasions of Korea consisted of a series of campaigns by the Mongol Empire against Korea, then known as Goryeo, from 1231 to 1270...
started. After a series of battles, Goryeo capitulated to the Mongols, and became a
vassalA vassal in the terminology that both preceded and accompanied the feudalism of medieval Europe, is one who enters into mutual obligations with a monarch, usually of military support and mutual protection, in exchange for certain guarantees, which came to include the terrain held as a fief. By...
of the
Yuan DynastyThe Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was both the continuation of the Mongol Empire and the Mongol founded historical state in Mongolia and China, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. Although the dynasty was established by Kublai Khan, he had his grandfather Genghis Khan placed on the...
for approximately 80 years.
Trade and commerce
In the Goryeo dynasty, trade was frequent. In the start of the dynasty, Byeokrando was the main port. Byeokrando was a port close to the Goryeo capital. Trade included:
| # |
Trading country |
Import |
Export |
|
| 1 |
Song dynastyThe Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
|
Silk, pearls, tea, spices, medicine, books, instruments |
Gold and silver, ginseng, marble, paper, ink |
| 2 |
Liao dynastyThe Liao Dynasty , 907-1125, also known as the Khitan Empire , was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper...
|
Horses, sheep, low-quality silk |
Minerals, cotton, marble, ink and paper, ginseng |
| 3 |
Jurchen |
Gold, horse, weapons |
Silver, cotton, silk |
| 4 |
Japanis an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
|
Mercury, minerals |
Ginseng, books |
| 5 |
Abbasid dynasty |
Mercury, spices, tusk |
Gold, silver |
Tripitaka Koreana
Tripitaka Koreana (팔만대장경) is a
TripitakaThe ' is the Sanskrit term used by Westerners for a Buddhist canon of scriptures. Asian Buddhists of the Theravada Buddhist school use the term Tipitaka to refer to the Pali Canon...
with approximately 80,000 Buddhist scripts. The scripts are stored in
HaeinsaHaeinsa is one of the foremost Chogye Buddhist temples in South Korea. Its geographical location is . It is most notable for being the home of the Tripitaka Koreana, the whole of the Buddhist Scriptures carved onto 81,258 wooden printing blocks, which it has housed since 1398.Haeinsa is one of...
, South Gyeongsang province. Made in 1251 by
GojongGojong of Goryeo was the twenty-third ruler of Goryeo in present-day Korea. Gojong's reign was marked by prolonged conflict with the Mongol Empire, which sought to conquer Goryeo, ending only when the kingdom was finally vassalized in 1259.Although ascending to the throne in 1213, Gojong did not...
in an attempt to fight away the Mongol invasions by Buddhism. The scripts are kept clean by leaving them to dry outside every year.
Goryeo celadon
The ceramics of Goryeo are considered by some to be the finest small-scale works of ceramics in Korean history.
Key-fret, foliate designs, geometric or scrolling flowerhead bands, elliptical panels, stylized fish and insects, and the use of incised designs began at this time. Glazes were usually various shades of celadon, with browned glazes to almost black glazes being used for stoneware and storage. Celadon glazes could be rendered almost transparent to show black and white inlays.
While the forms generally seen are broad-shouldered bottles, larger low bowls or shallow smaller bowls, highly decorated celadon cosmetic boxes, and small slip-inlaid cups, the Buddhist potteries also produced melon-shaped vases, chrysanthemum cups often of spectacularly architectural design on stands with lotus motifs and lotus flower heads. In-curving rimmed alms bowls have also been discovered similar to Korean metalware. Wine cups often had a tall foot which rested on dish-shaped stands.
Construction techniques
These ceramics are of a hard porcellaneous body with porcelain stone as one of the key ingredients; however, it is not to be confused with porcelain. The body is low clay, quartz rich, high potassia and virtually identical in composition to the Chinese Yueh ceramics which scholars hypothesize occasioned the first production of celadon in Korea. The glaze is an ash glaze with iron colourant, fired in a reduction atmosphere in a modified Chinese-style 'dragon' kiln. The distinctive blue-grey-green of Korean celadon is caused by the iron content of the glaze with a minimum of titanium contaminant, which modifies the color to a greener cast, as can be seen in Chinese Yueh wares. However, the Goryeo potters took the glaze in a different direction than their Chinese forebears; instead of relying solely on underglaze incised designs, they eventually developed the
sanggam technique of inlaying black (magnetite) and white (quartz) which created bold contrast with the glaze. Scholars also theorize that this developed in part to an inlay tradition in Korean metalworks and lacquer, and also to the dissatisfaction with the nearly-invisible effect of incising when done under a thick celadon glaze.
Technology
In 1234, the world's first metal movable type printing was invented by
Choe Yun-uiChoe Yun-ui was a Korean civil minister during the Goryeo Dynasty. Choe Yun-ui compiled the Sangjeong yemun with another 16 scholars. They collected all courtesies from ancient to present and published 50 copies....
in Goryeo. Sangjeong Gogeum Yemun were printed with the movable metal type in 1234. Technology in Korea took a big step in Goryeo and strong relation with the
Song dynastyThe Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
contributed to this. In the dynasty, Korean ceramics and paper, which come down to now, started to be manufactured.
During the late Goryeo Dynasty, Goryeo was at the cutting edge of shipboard artillery. In 1356 early experiments were carried out with gunpowder weapons that shot wood or metal projectiles. In 1373 experiments with incendiary arrows and "fire tubes" possibly an early form of the Hwacha were developed and placed on Korean warships. The policy of placing cannons and other gunpowder weapons continued well into the
Joseon DynastyJoseon , was a Korean sovereign state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo Kingdom at what is today the city of Kaesong...
and by 1410, over 160 Joseon warships had cannons onboard.
Choe Mu-seonChoe Mu-Seon was a medieval Korean scientist, inventor, and military commander during the late Goryeo Dynasty and early Joseon Dynasty...
, a medieval Korean inventor, military commander and scientist who introduced widespread use of gunpowder to
KoreaKorea is a civilization and formerly unified nation currently divided into two states. Located on the Korean Peninsula, it borders China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the east by the Korea Strait....
for the first time and creating various gunpowder based weapons.
Confucianism
King GwangjongGwangjong was the fourth monarch of the Goryeo, which ruled Korea from the fall of Silla in 935 until the founding of Joseon in 1392.Gwangjong was a reformer...
creating the
national civil service examinationsThe gwageo were the national civil service examinations under the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties of Korea. Typically quite demanding, these tests measured candidates' knowledge of the Chinese classics, and sometimes also of technical subjects...
. and
King SeongjongSeongjong of Goryeo was the sixth monarch of the medieval Korean kingdom Goryeo. He was the second son of Daejong, and a grandson of Emperor Taejo. He ascended the throne after Gyeongjong stepped down....
was a key figure in establishing Confucianism. King Seongjong established
GukjagamThe Gukjagam, known at times as Gukhak or Seonggyungwan, was the highest educational institution of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. It was located at the capital, Gaegyeong , and provided advanced training in the Chinese classics. It was established in 992 during the reign of Seongjong...
. Gukjagam was the highest educational institution of the Goryeo dynasty. This was facilitated by the establishment in 1398 of the
SeonggyungwanSeonggyungwan, also called Taehak , was the foremost education institution in Korea during the late Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties.- History :...
– an academy with a Confucian curriculum – and the building of an altar at the palace, where the king would worship his ancestors.
Buddhism
Initially, the new Seon schools were regarded by the established doctrinal schools as radical and dangerous upstarts. Thus, the early founders of the various "nine mountain" monasteries met with considerable resistance, repressed by the long influence in court of the Gyo schools. The struggles which ensued continued for most of the Goryeo period, but gradually the Seon argument for the possession of the true transmission of enlightenment would gain the upper hand. The position that was generally adopted in the later Seon schools, due in large part to the efforts of
JinulChinul or Jinul was a Korean monk of the Goryeo period, who is considered to be the most influential figure in the formation of Korean Seon Buddhism....
, did not claim clear superiority of Seon meditational methods, but rather declared the intrinsic unity and similarities of the Seon and Gyo viewpoints. Although all these schools are mentioned in historical records, toward the end of the dynasty, Seon became dominant in its effect on the government and society, and the production of noteworthy scholars and adepts. During the Goryeo period, Seon thoroughly became a "religion of the state," receiving extensive support and privileges through connections with the ruling family and powerful members of the court.
Although most of the scholastic schools waned in activity and influence during this period of the growth of Seon, the
Hwaeom school continued to be a lively source of scholarship well into the Goryeo, much of it continuing the legacy of
UisangUisang was one of the most eminent early Silla Korean scholar-monks, a close friend of Wonhyo .He traveled to China, studying at Mount Zhongnan as a student of the influential Huayan master Zhiyan and as a senior colleague of Fazang , with whom he established a life-long correspondence...
and
WonhyoWonhyo was one of the leading thinkers, writers and commentators of the Korean Buddhist tradition. Essence-Function , a key concept in Southeast Asian Buddhism and particularly that of Korean Buddhism, was refined in the syncretic philosophy and worldview of Wonhyo.With his life spanning the end...
. In particular the work of
Gyunyeo (均如; 923-973) prepared for the reconciliation of Hwaeom and Seon, with Hwaeom's accommodating attitude toward the latter. Gyunyeo's works are an important source for modern scholarship in identifying the distinctive nature of Korean Hwaeom.
Another important advocate of Seon/Gyo unity was
Uicheon. Like most other early Goryeo monks, he began his studies in Buddhism with Hwaeom. He later traveled to China, and upon his return, actively promulgated the
CheontaeCheontae is the Korean descendant of the Chinese Buddhist school Tiantai. Tiantai was introduced to Korea a couple of times during earlier periods, but was not firmly established until the time of Uicheon who established Cheontae in Goryeo as an independent school.Due to Uicheon's influence, it...
(天台宗, or
TiantaiTiantai is one of the important schools of Buddhism in China, Korea and Japan, also called the Lotus School because of its emphasis on the Lotus Sutra. It was founded by Zhiyi during the Sui Dynasty in China...
in Chinese) teaching, which became recognized as another Seon school. This period thus came to be described as "five doctrinal and two meditational schools" (
ogyo yangjong). Uicheon himself, however, alienated too many Seon adherents, and he died at a relatively young age without seeing a Seon-Gyo unity accomplished.
The most important figure of Seon in the Goryeo was
JinulChinul or Jinul was a Korean monk of the Goryeo period, who is considered to be the most influential figure in the formation of Korean Seon Buddhism....
(知訥; 1158-1210). In his time, the sangha was in a crisis of external appearance and internal issues of doctrine. Buddhism had gradually become infected by secular tendencies and involvements, such as fortune-telling and the offering of prayers and rituals for success in secular endeavors. This kind of corruption resulted in the profusion of increasingly larger numbers of monks and nuns with questionable motivations. Therefore, the correction, revival, and improvement of the quality of Buddhism were prominent issues for Buddhist leaders of the period.
Jinul sought to establish a new movement within Korean Seon, which he called the
"samādhiSamadhi is a Hindu and Buddhist technical term that usually denotes higher levels of concentrated meditation, or dhyana, in Yogic schools.In Hinduism, it is the eighth and final limb of the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali...
and prajñāPrajñā or paññā has been translated as "wisdom," "understanding," "discernment," "cognitive acuity," or "know-how." In some sects of Buddhism, it especially refers to the wisdom that is based on the direct realization of the Four Noble Truths, impermanence, interdependent origination, non-self,...
society", whose goal was to establish a new community of disciplined, pure-minded practitioners deep in the mountains. He eventually accomplished this mission with the founding of the Seonggwangsa monastery at Mt. Jogye (曹溪山). Jinul's works are characterized by a thorough analysis and reformulation of the methodologies of Seon study and practice. One major issue that had long fermented in Chinese
SeonZen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism, translated from the Chinese word Chán. This word is in turn derived from the Sanskrit dhyāna, which means "meditation" ....
, and which received special focus from Jinul, was the relationship between "gradual" and "sudden" methods in practice and enlightenment. Drawing upon various Chinese treatments of this topic, most importantly those by
Zongmi Guifeng Zongmi , was a Tang dynasty Buddhist scholar-monk, installed as fifth patriarch of the Huayan school as well as a patriarch of the Heze lineage of Southern Chan.He wrote a number of vitally important essays on the contemporary situation of Buddhism in Tang China, and is one of the...
(780-841) and
Dahui (大慧; 1089-1163), Jinul created a "sudden enlightenment followed by gradual practice" dictum, which he outlined in a few relatively concise and accessible texts. From Dahui, Jinul also incorporated the
gwanhwa (觀話) method into his practice. This form of meditation is the main method taught in Korean Seon today. Jinul's philosophical resolution of the Seon-Gyo conflict brought a deep and lasting effect on Korean Buddhism.
The general trend of Buddhism in the latter half of the Goryeo was a decline due to corruption, and the rise of strong anti-Buddhist political and philosophical sentiment. However, this period of relative decadence would nevertheless produce some of Korea's most renowned Seon masters. Three important monks of this period who figured prominently in charting the future course of Korean Seon were contemporaries and friends:
Gyeonghan Baeg'un (景閑白雲; 1298-1374),
Taego Bou (太古普愚; 1301-1382) and
Naong Hyegeun (懶翁慧勤; 1320-1376). All three went to Yuan China to learn the
LinjiLínjì Yìxuán was the founder of the Linji school of Chán Buddhism during Tang Dynasty China...
(臨濟 or
Imje in
KoreanKorean is the official language of North Korea and South Korea. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers. It was formerly written using Hanja, borrowed Chinese characters pronounced in the Korean...
)
gwanhwa teaching that had been popularized by Jinul. All three returned, and established the sharp, confrontational methods of the Imje school in their own teaching. Each of the three was also said to have had hundreds of disciples, such that this new infusion into Korean Seon brought about considerable effect. Despite the Imje influence, which was generally considered to be anti-scholarly in nature, Gyeonghan and Naong, under the influence of Jinul and the traditional
tong bulgyo tendency, showed an unusual interest in scriptural study, as well as a strong understanding of
ConfucianismConfucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . It is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought that has had tremendous influence on the culture and history of East Asia...
and
TaoismDaoism refers to a variety of related philosophical and religious traditions and concepts that have influenced East Asia for over two millennia and the West for over two centuries. The word 道, Tao , means "path" or "way", although in Chinese folk religion and philosophy it has taken on more...
, due to the increasing influence of Chinese philosophy as the foundation of official education. From this time, a marked tendency for Korean Buddhist monks to be "three teachings" exponents appeared.
A significant historical event of the Goryeo period is the production of the first woodblock edition of the
TripitakaThe ' is the Sanskrit term used by Westerners for a Buddhist canon of scriptures. Asian Buddhists of the Theravada Buddhist school use the term Tipitaka to refer to the Pali Canon...
, called the
Tripitaka KoreanaThe Tripitaka Koreana or Palman Daejanggyeong is a Korean collection of the Tripitaka , carved onto 81,340 wooden printing blocks in the 13th century...
. Two editions were made, the first one completed from 1210 to 1231, and the second one from 1214 to 1259. The first edition was destroyed in a fire, during an attack by Mongol invaders in 1232, but the second edition is still in existence at
HaeinsaHaeinsa is one of the foremost Chogye Buddhist temples in South Korea. Its geographical location is . It is most notable for being the home of the Tripitaka Koreana, the whole of the Buddhist Scriptures carved onto 81,258 wooden printing blocks, which it has housed since 1398.Haeinsa is one of...
in
GyeongsangGyeongsang was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongsang was located in the southeast of Korea....
province. This edition of the Tripitaka was of high quality, and served as the standard version of the Tripitaka in East Asia for almost 700 years.
See also
- Korean Pottery: Categorized by Periods
- List of Korea-related topics
- List of Korean monarchs#Goryeo
- Names of Korea
There are various names of Korea in use today, derived from ancient kingdoms and dynasties. The modern English name Korea is an exonym derived from the Goryeo period and is used by both North Korea and South Korea in international contexts...
- Genealogy of the Goryeo Dynasty
The Goryeo Dynasty ruled in Korea from 918 to 1392. It comprised 34 kings in 17 generations. What follows is, first, a selective genealogy of the reigning Wang clan, and second, a table showing the relations between the Mongol Yuan Dynasty and Goryeo royalty....
- The History of the Koryo Dynasty(高麗史, the 1st source written in hanja, the file type is PDF.) Seoul National Univ.