Sem Vermeersch

Kaesŏng Buddhism temples Koryŏ politics

Buddhism during the Koryŏ period (918–1392) enjoyed the favor and patronage of the court, aristocrats and commoners alike. Its prominent position in Koryŏ society is reflected in the temples established in the capital, Kaesŏng. Although none of the Koryŏ era temple buildings remain, both the written record and some material remains suggest that Buddhist temples were a dominant feature of the capital landscape. Besides their religious function as places of worship, Kaesŏng temples were also extensions of dynastic authority and centers of economic, cultural, and social activities. Although ritual played an important role in legitimizing dynastic authority, temples were not the main stage for the chief rituals to call for protection of the state: these usually took place in the palace. Temples did play an important role however in the ancestor worship of the Koryŏ dynasty, serving as foci to keep the presence of the dynastic founder and recently deceased kings alive and connect them to Buddhism. Also, a number of the temples established by the dynastic founder, T’aejo, played a key role in the era’s two main festivals (the Eight Prohibitions and Lantern Festival) and some other events, while also serving as headquarters of Buddhist sects. Kaesŏng temples were also occasionally used for political and military purposes, and assisted in charitable events.