Korean Buddhism: History—Condition—Art

[4]Gale finds that the history of the erection of the Seoul pagoda was originally inscribed upon the turtle-borne slab that accompanies it. Of the pagoda itself, he says:

1. The Pagoda was therefore built in 1464-1466 A.D.

2. The builder was King Se-jo, who reigned from 1456-1468 and all the workmen were Koreans.

3. The form of it was modelled after the Pagoda in Pung Tuk County, which had already been standing nearly a hundred years, and had been built by Chinese workmen. There is no evidence that this pagoda had ever been brought from Peking though it finds its final resting place now in Tokyo.

4. It was built to commemorate the excellence of the Wungak Sutra from which it takes its name.

5. It is by far the most interesting Buddhist monument in Korea. p. 22.

[5]The list of the thirty head-temples follows:

Yongju-sa

Pongeum-sa

Chǔntung-sa

Pongsǔm-sa

Makok-sa

Pawpchu-sa

Songkwang-sa

Sǔnam-sa

Těhung-sa

Pǎkyang-sa

Uipong-sa

Posawk-sa

Tongdo-sa

Pomo-sa

Hǎin-sa

Tonghwa-sa

Chuim-sa

Unhǎ-sa

Koun-sa

Kumyong-sa

Peyak-sa

Sawngpul-sa

Yungmyung-sa

Pawphung-sa

Pohyun-sa

Kǔnpong-sa

Yuchom-sa

Ualchung-sa

Sawkwang-sa

Kuichu-sa

[6]The magazine conducted by Yi Nung Hwa has had several breaks in publication and after each the name has been changed. As here given the names are English translations of the original:

Monthly Magazine of Chosen Buddhism. Nineteen issues, from January 25, 1911 to August 25, 1913.

Buddhist Magazine of the Eastern Sea. Eight issues from November 20, 1913 to June 20, 1914.

Monthly Magazine of the Association of Rising Buddhism. Nine issues from March 15, 1915 to December 15, 1915.

Kingdom of Chosen Buddhism. Three issues from April 5, 1916 to June 5, 1916.

General Magazine of Chosen Buddhism, from March 20, 1917. Three numbers had appeared when I received this note in May 1917.

[7]The texts most commonly read in Korean monasteries are the Hokkekyo, Kegon, Kishinlon, Fumonbon and Amidakyo, according to Madame Gordon. These are Japanese pronunciation.

[8]The Japanese names of the four guardians are:

Bishamon: east; blue; tower.

Komoku: south; red; jewel.

Jikoku: west; green; lute.

Zocho: north; flesh; sword.

[9]Three Buddhas have preceded Sakyamuni in the present kalpa and one is still to come before the kalpa ends. The entire list is:

Krakuchanda (Pali, Kakusanda), “who solves doubt.”

Kanakamuni (P. Konagamana) “body radiant as gold.”

Kasyapa (P. Kassapa) “swallower of light.”

Sakyamuni.

Maitreya. Legge: Fa-hien, p. 51.

[10]The eight scenes in the Life of Buddha are:

(a) Incarnation.

(b) Birth.

(c) Encounter with age, sickness, death.

(d) Escape—with aid of the four heavenly kings.

(e) Asceticism.

(f) Enlightenment.

(g) Preaching—“turning the wheel.”

(h) Nirvana.