| (1) Development of
Buddhism |
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Pulguksa
Temple | |
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Shilla Buddhism was further
developed after unification as seen by the appearance of
many different schools, the five kyo (teaching) sects
and the 9 mountains (zen school) sects. Thus, Buddhism
was widely spread among the populace.
The five kyo
sects, which researched Buddhist sutras, were founded at
the time of the unification of the Three
Kingdoms.
Among the Buddhist sects, the Hwaom-jong
(Avatamsaka sect) founded by Uisang was welcomed by
aristocrats and thus developed more rapidly than any of
the others.
The high monk representative Wonhyo made
efforts to combine Buddhist ideologies and widely
propagated Chongt'o-jong (Paradise) to popularize
Buddhism to the masses. Toward the end of Shilla, Zen
(Dhyana) Buddism was in vogue, and nine denominations of
Zen Buddhism existed under the protection of the local
clan chiefs.
As Buddhism bloomed, Buddhist art also
developed and a high degree of scholarly research
concerning Buddhism took place. |
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| (2) Confucianism and
Technology |
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Dharani
Sutra | |
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During the reign of King
Sinmun, a school called Kukhak was established and was
staffed by scholars and assistants who instructed
Confucianism and Chinese literature. Under the reign of
King Wonsong, a special section of learning was
established which divided students into three classes
according to their academic abilities in order to hire
government officials.
However, this system was not
effectively enforced due to the Kolp'um system, which
respected family lineage.
Immediately after
unification, Kang Su and Sol Ch'ong became highly
well-known as scholars. Kang Su was an outstanding
penman who was able to compose elegant diplomatic
letters. Sol Ch'ong, the son of Wonhyo, redeveloped the
writing system of Idu and utilized it to interpret the
classics. Under the reign of King Songdok, Kim Tae-mun
wrote many books including Hwarang segi, Kosung-jon, and
Kyerim chapchon and was instrumental in creating the
traditional culture of Shilla, but unfortunately these
books do not remain today.
As exchanges with Tang
were actively promoted, the number of students sailing
to Tang increased. On the whole, most of these students
were from the 6-t'upum aristocrat families, and upon
returning home, they were critical of the Kolp'um
system. Ch'oe Ch'i-won was famous in Tang as an apt
writer, but, after returning home to Shilla, he became
disillusioned by the world of politics and lived a
secluded life. His Kyewon p'ilgyong is still read by
many today.
In Unified Shilla, woodblock printing
developed. The Dharani Sutra discovered in the
three-story stone pagodas of Pulguksa Temple was printed
in the mid-8th century and is believed to be the oldest
woodblock printing in the world. Technology in various
fields such as astronomy, medicine, and military science
also developed.
During the last days of Shilla, Toson
widely propagated the theory of geomancy. The theory of
geomancy weakened the authority of the Shilla government
and supported the growth of the power of local clans. In
addition, Taoism and the Ideologies of Laotse and
Chungtse were also popularized during this same period.
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| (3) Hyangga
Literature |
The Hyangga (folk songs) of
the Three Kingdoms came into great popularity after the
unification. While Chinese literature developed among
the aristocracy, Hyangga was widely spread throughout
the commoners, and many of them were written especially
by monks and Hwarangs.
Among Hyangga writers, two
monks--Wolmyongsa and Ch'ungdamsa--are particularly
famous. Wolmyongsa composed the songs, "Tosol-ga" (Song
of Paradise in Tosol Heaven) and "Chemangmae-ga" (Song
to a Dead Younger Sister), while Ch'ungdamsa composed
the songs "Anmin-ga" (Song of Peace to Folks) and
"Ch'an-Kip'arang-ga" (Song of Praise to Kip'arang).
"Che-mangmae-ga" was the song sung by Wolmyongsa when he
offered a rite for his dead younger sister. Its lyrics
are superb examples of hyangga.
During the reign of
Queen Chinsong, Taegu hwasang compiled a group of
Hyangga called "Samdaemok", which has not been handed
down to today. All 25 Hyanggas, including 14 Hyanggas in
the Samguk yusa, have been handed down and exist today.
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| (4) Development of the
Arts |
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Sokkuram, National Treasure No.
24. |
Sokkat'ap or the "Shakamuni Pagodd" at
Pulguksa
Temple. | |
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Tapot'ap or the "Pagoda of many treasure"
at Pulguksa Temple. |
Bronze bell of Unified Shilla is the
largest bell in Korea-height 3.33meters. On
display at the Kyongju Museum.
Origin 771
A.D. | |
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The arts of Unified Shilla
had Buddhist art as its core.
Achievements were made
in formative art which was responsible for Buddhist
images, stone pagodas and Buddhist bells in temples,
which possessed the feature of harmonized and
symmetrical beauty.
The Sokkuram Grotto and Pulguksa
Temple constructed with a prayer to the gods by Kim
Tae-song in the mid-8th century are representive of the
Buddhist art of Shilla. These were made during the
height of the Shilla culture.
Sokkuram is a man-made
cave temple. In the center of the cave is a seated image
of Buddha and on the walls around it, images of Buddha,
his disciples and many other standing images showed
their conception of the Buddhist world. Its arched
ceilings bear a great number of beautiful sculptures and
its architecture is exquisite. Sokkuram is one of the
best representations of Buddhist art in Shilla.
Originally, Pulguksa Temple was a huge temple with over
2,000 partitions. During Hideyoshi's invasions between
1592-97 however, the wooden structure burnt down, and
the present building which stands today is a
reconstruction from the latter part of the Choson period
or a more recent restoration.
However, the stone
artifacts of Shilla remain and display the high degree
of Buddhist art of Shilla.
The three-story stone
pagodas known as Sokkat'ap and Tabot'ap (Pagodas of
multiple treasures) display a refined beauty. These are
representative of stone pagodas of Unified Shilla
together with the three-story stone pagoda decorated
with four lions at Hwhaomsa Temple. The Blue and White
Cloud Bridges, the Lotus Flower Bridge and the Seven
Treasures Bridge leading to the front entrance of
Chahamun and the stone pillars of Pomyongnu to the west
of Chahamun are representative of three dimensional
beauty.
As Buddhist bells, the bronze bell at
Sangwonsa and the New Bell of King Songdok are the most
famous. In particular, the New Bell of King Songdok is
known as the finest Buddhist bell for its magnificent
echo and fascinating sculptures of angels and lotus
flowers.
Among stone lanterns, the Twin Lantern of
Popchusa Temple and the lantern in Pulguksa Temple are
known for their balance.
The sculptures carved on the
monument of King Muyol's tomb and the 12 zodiacal signs
carved on the monument of Kim Yu-sin's tomb and
Kwaerung's (Hanging royal tomb) are examples of
exquisite workmanship.
In the field of calligraphy,
Kim Saeng was unsurpassed and among painters, Kim
Ch'ung-ui became famous in Tang.
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