Buddhist Artifacts Discovered From A Confucian Site
Buddhist Artifacts Discovered From A Confucian Site
The latest discovery of nearly 80 Buddhist-artifacts on the outskirts of Seoul was revealed to the public last week.
They are among some of the finest preserved and historically important pieces related to Northeast Asian Buddhism.
Song Ji-sun reports.
At the entrance of a trail leading to summit of Dobong-san mountain in northern Seoul... sits Dobong-seowon.
During Korea′s Joseon Dynasty, which spanned more than 500 years until the late 19th century, Dobong-seowon acted as an institute for educating young scholars and remembering historic ones. This particular institute was dedicated to Jo Gwang-jo, a Confucian scholar who pursued radical reforms in the early 16th century.
But recent discoveries at the site have people,... historians in particular, looking even further back, to the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled most of the Korean peninsula between the 10th and 14th century.
"A total of 77 Buddhist artifacts from the Goryeo era have been discovered here at Dobong-Seowon a site that functioned as a Confucian academy during the Joseon Dynasty. The site, currently being restored, is set to be reopened next year."
Among the dozens of artifacts excavated, one very sophisticated piece that′s unique to the Goryeo era stands out.
It′s this Geumgangnyeong, a bell used in Buddhist ceremonies during prayer chants.
It′s the first known piece in which the Four-Heavenly guardians and the Five Great Kings are engraved on one instrument a first not just in Korea but in other Northeast Asian countries where Buddhism has roots.
Although these artifacts were found at an institute that was used during the Joseon Dynasty, at a time when Buddhism was suppressed to foster Confucianism,... they were not to hidden or destroyed.
"Before transforming into an institute, the site was used as a temple in the Goryeo era. It is assumed that these artifacts were buried as part of a ceremony, to pay respect to the Buddha.These were found inside this larger pots, which helped to preserve their original shapes and materials relatively well."
The preliminary report on these artifacts will now be handed over to art historians... who will conduct further studies and look for clues about Buddhist practices during the Goryeo era.
Song Ji-sun, Arirang News.