Compilation of the Samguk yusa

Overview

The Samguk yusa (三國遺事) is a historical work compiled by the Goryeo-period monk Iryeon (一然, 1206–1289) of the Kaji Mountain school. It consists of 5 volumes in 2 woodblock-printed books, arranged in 9 sections (Wangnyeok, Gii, Heungbeop, Tapsang, Uihae, Sinju, Gamtong, Piin, and Hyoseon) and more than 140 entries. Together with the Samguk sagi, it is a basic source for the study of early Korean history. It contains the Dangun myth, many records not found in the Samguk sagi, quotations from old texts that have since been lost, and fourteen hyangga poems from Silla. The map marks Ingaksa Temple in Gunwi (present-day Samguk yusa-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Daegu Metropolitan City), where Iryeon spent his later years and died.

Background of Compilation

The thirteenth century, when Iryeon lived, was a period in which the country was ravaged by the Mongol invasions of Korea and Yuan interference in Goryeo affairs began. In 1236, when Mongol forces invaded, Iryeon moved from Bodang Hermitage on Mount Bisul to Muju Hermitage. From 1249 he spent about three years at Jeongnim Temple in Namhae, taking part in the carving of the Buddhist canon (the Bunsa Daejang-do-gam, or Branch Office for the Tripitaka Carving) (Tripitaka Koreana). In 1281 (7th year of King Chungnyeol), he visited the king, who had come to Gyeongju, and saw with his own eyes Hwangnyongsa Temple, which had been burned by Mongol forces. It is commonly interpreted that a desire to reflect on the nation's long history and traditions, amid war and foreign pressure, formed the basis of the work.

Iryeon and the Compilation Process

• Period at Unmun Temple in Cheongdo (1277–1281): From the 3rd year of King Chungnyeol (1277) until 1281, Iryeon served as abbot of Unmun Temple in Cheongdo by royal appointment and greatly promoted the Seon teaching. The entry on Iryeon in the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture holds that he began writing the Samguk yusa during this time.
• Temporary royal residence in Gyeongju (1281): He went to see King Chungnyeol, who was staying in Gyeongju in preparation for the expedition to Japan.
• Appointment as National Preceptor (1283): He stayed at Gwangmyeongsa Temple in Gaegyeong in 1282 and was appointed Guk-jon (National Preceptor) in 1283. He then went back to his hometown to care for his aged mother.
• Ingaksa Temple in Gunwi (1284–1289): When his mother died in 1284, the court repaired Ingaksa Temple on Mount Hwasan in Gunwi and granted over 100 gyeong of land so that he could stay there. Iryeon held the Gusan Mundohoe (assembly of disciples of the nine mountain schools) there twice and died in 1289. Ingaksa still preserves his stupa and stele (the stele of Bogak Guksa and its stupa).