Difference between revisions of "Unified Silla" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | '''Unified Silla''' (668–935) refers to the unification of the Three Kingdoms of southern Korea, | + | '''Unified Silla''' (668–935) refers to the unification of the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea|Three Kingdoms]] of southern [[Korea]], [[Baekje]], [[Koguryo]], and [[Silla]]. The fall of [[Baekje]] to Silla in 668 marks the recognized beginning the the Unified Silla dynasty. [[Balhae]] (698-926) ruled the northern region of Korea, from just south of [[Pyongyang]]. The Unified Silla dynasty and [[Balhae]] both fell to Goryeo by 935, creating a unification of the northern and southern half of Korea.<ref >http://www.rootsinfo.co.kr/history/king08.html Wang Geon changed the name of dynasty to Goryeo </ref> Due to the north-south split during this period of [[History of Korea|Korean history]], some historians have preferred to call the time of the Unified Silla dynasty the period of the [[North-South States]] (''nambukguk sidae'' = 남북국 시대 = 南北國時代). |
==Unification== | ==Unification== | ||
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{{main|Silla|Three Kingdoms of Korea|Balhae}} | {{main|Silla|Three Kingdoms of Korea|Balhae}} | ||
| − | In the 7th century [[Silla]] allied itself with the [[China|Chinese]] [[Tang dynasty]]. In 660, under [[Muyeol of Silla|King Muyeol]] (654-661), Silla subjugated [[Baekje]]. In 668, under [[King Munmu of Silla|King Munmu]] (King Muyeol's successor) and the General [[Kim Yu-shin]], Silla conquered [[Goguryeo]] to its north. During the wars near the end of the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea|Three Kingdoms Period]], [[Tang Dynasty]] [[China]] established strong administrative cities in the defeated [[Goguryeo]] dynasty as well as in [[Baekje]]. [[Silla]] launched a campaign against Tang China in 671.<ref name=multiple>http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/history.htm#The%20Ko%20Choson</ref> | + | In the 7th century [[Silla]] allied itself with the [[China|Chinese]] [[Tang dynasty]]. In 660, under [[Muyeol of Silla|King Muyeol]] (654-661), Silla subjugated [[Baekje]]. In 668, under [[King Munmu of Silla|King Munmu]] (King Muyeol's successor) and the General [[Kim Yu-shin]], Silla conquered [[Goguryeo]] to its north. During the wars near the end of the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea|Three Kingdoms Period]], [[Tang Dynasty]] [[China]] established strong administrative cities in the defeated [[Goguryeo]] dynasty as well as in [[Baekje]]. [[Silla]] launched a campaign against [[Tang]] [[China]] in 671.<ref name=multiple>http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/history.htm#The%20Ko%20Choson</ref> |
| − | [[Tang]] countered with an unsuccessful invasion of [[Silla]] in 674, defeated by General [[Kim Yu-shin]]'s forces. Tang forces withdrew their administrative centers to the [[Liaoyang]] region in [[Manchuria]], leaving [[Silla]] to rule most the southern peninsula by 676. Silla then fought for nearly a decade to expel Chinese forces on the peninsula intent on creating | + | [[Tang]] countered with an unsuccessful invasion of [[Silla]] in 674, defeated by General [[Kim Yu-shin]]'s forces. [[Tang]] forces withdrew their administrative centers to the [[Liaoyang]] region in [[Manchuria]], leaving [[Silla]] to rule most the southern peninsula by 676. Silla then fought for nearly a decade to expel Chinese forces on the peninsula intent on creating Tang colonies there to finally establish a unified kingdom as far north as modern [[Pyongyang]]. The northern region of the defunct [[Goguryeo]] state later reemerged as [[Balhae]]. |
| − | Silla's defeat of [[Tang]] China stands tall in the scope of [[Korean history]], equal to the defeat of the [[Islamic]] forces by [[Charlemagne ]]in [[France]]. If [[Silla]] had been conquered by Tang China, Korea may have ceased to exist. The regard Koreans have for Chinese culture and civilization may have weakened their will to wage war. [[Korea]], from that time, could have been incorporated into the Chinese empire. | + | Silla's defeat of [[Tang]] China stands tall in the scope of [[Korean history]], equal to the defeat of the [[Islamic]] forces by [[Charlemagne ]]in [[France]]. If [[Silla]] had been conquered by [[Tang]] [[China]], [[Korea]] may have ceased to exist. The regard Koreans have for Chinese culture and civilization may have weakened their will to wage war. [[Korea]], from that time, could have been incorporated into the Chinese empire. Silla only succeeded in unifying the southern region of the [[Korean peninsula]], leaving the northern region for refugees of the fallen [[Goguryeo]] kingdom to establish the kingdom of [[Balhae]]. |
==Government== | ==Government== | ||
{{main|Gyeongju}} | {{main|Gyeongju}} | ||
| − | After Silla unified the south, and Balhae establish a firm government in the north, they both established peaceful relations with Tang China. Unified Silla and Balhae carried on economic and cultural exchange with Tang China. Unified Silla's, and Balhae's for that matter, exchange with Tang China took place economically and culturally. | + | After [[Silla]] unified the south, and Balhae establish a firm government in the north, they both established peaceful relations with [[Tang]] China. Unified Silla and Balhae carried on economic and cultural exchange with Tang [[China]]. Unified Silla's, and [[Balhae]]'s for that matter, exchange with [[Tang]] China took place economically and culturally. |
[[Image:Pressapochista1.jpg|200px|left|thumb|Vairocana Buddha]] | [[Image:Pressapochista1.jpg|200px|left|thumb|Vairocana Buddha]] | ||
[[King Sinmun]] (681-692) firmly established the throne of the Unified Silla dynasty in [[Gyengju]]. He eliminated a faction of nobles, the [[sangdaedung]] that derived from the "[[hallow bone]]" and "[[True bone rank|true bone]]" lineages, intent upon overthrowing the throne. Establishing his authority, Sinmun restructured the government and military. His son, [[Songdok]] solidified the power of the throne over the noble class further, introducing a remarkable period of national peace. Although the power of the throne became paramount, the system of True bone rank still powerfully persisted. | [[King Sinmun]] (681-692) firmly established the throne of the Unified Silla dynasty in [[Gyengju]]. He eliminated a faction of nobles, the [[sangdaedung]] that derived from the "[[hallow bone]]" and "[[True bone rank|true bone]]" lineages, intent upon overthrowing the throne. Establishing his authority, Sinmun restructured the government and military. His son, [[Songdok]] solidified the power of the throne over the noble class further, introducing a remarkable period of national peace. Although the power of the throne became paramount, the system of True bone rank still powerfully persisted. | ||
| − | Silla, having expanded its territory, established an provincial and local government system to rule the unified dynasty, creating a province (chu, -ju), prefecture (kun), and county (hyoen) system. The throne resettled nobles to new secondary capitals. The capital remained in [[Gyeongju]], although a strong faction lobbied for a move to [[Daegu]]. [[Silla]] absorbed the conquered territories into the system of government, granting government positions to local people while reserving governorships to nobles from Gyeongju. | + | [[Silla]], having expanded its territory, established an provincial and local government system to rule the unified dynasty, creating a province (chu, -ju), prefecture (kun), and county (hyoen) system. The throne resettled nobles to new secondary capitals. The capital remained in [[Gyeongju]], although a strong faction lobbied for a move to [[Daegu]]. [[Silla]] absorbed the conquered territories into the system of government, granting government positions to local people while reserving governorships to nobles from [[Gyeongju]]. |
| − | [[Gyeongju]], meaning "city of gold," thrived as the center of life for the noble, aristocratic class of Unified Silla. [[Imhaejon]] ("Pavilion of the Sea," set on the man made Anapchi Lake) and Posokchong's winding channel carrying nobles wine glasses while reciting poetry testify to the royal life in Gyeongju. The splendor of Gyeongju at its height has been described as a town with tiled roofs, not a thatched roof in the city. Nearly 180,000 households, with 35 mansions of royal splendor laid within the city walls. | + | [[Gyeongju]], meaning "city of gold," thrived as the center of life for the noble, aristocratic class of Unified Silla. [[Imhaejon]] ("Pavilion of the Sea," set on the man made Anapchi Lake) and Posokchong's winding channel carrying nobles wine glasses while reciting poetry testify to the royal life in Gyeongju. The splendor of [[Gyeongju]] at its height has been described as a town with tiled roofs, not a thatched roof in the city. Nearly 180,000 households, with 35 mansions of royal splendor laid within the city walls. |
==Economy== | ==Economy== | ||
| − | Before unification, Silla had awarded "tax village" (sigup) to nobles for meritorious service while government officials received pay by governing "stipend villages" (nogup)in which they received taxes and the services of peasants. Shortly after unification, the throne abolished the "stipend villages" replacing them with "office-land" in which governor's received only grain tax. The reform failed, though, with the "stipend village" system returning thus re-enhancing noble power over the peasants and the throne. | + | Before unification, [[Silla]] had awarded "tax village" (sigup) to nobles for meritorious service while government officials received pay by governing "stipend villages" (nogup)in which they received taxes and the services of peasants. Shortly after unification, the throne abolished the "stipend villages" replacing them with "office-land" in which governor's received only grain tax. The reform failed, though, with the "stipend village" system returning thus re-enhancing noble power over the peasants and the throne. |
==Culture== | ==Culture== | ||
{{main|Culture of Korea}} | {{main|Culture of Korea}} | ||
| − | [[Korean arts]] and [[Korean Buddhism|Buddhism]] flourished during the Unified Silla dynasty. The royal throne sponsored the construction and support of Buddhist temple compounds like [[Bulguksa]], [[Seokguram]] Grotto, [[Hwangnyongsa]] and [[Bunhwangsa]] temples. | + | [[Korean arts]] and [[Korean Buddhism|Buddhism]] flourished during the Unified Silla dynasty. The royal throne sponsored the construction and support of Buddhist temple compounds like [[Bulguksa]], [[Seokguram]] Grotto, [[Hwangnyongsa]] and [[Bunhwangsa]] temples. Bulguksa and Seokguram present an exceptional example of Unified Silla Buddhist architecture and sculpture, receiving the designation of [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]]. |
===Buddhism=== | ===Buddhism=== | ||
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{{main|Bulguksa|Seokguram|Korean Buddhism}} | {{main|Bulguksa|Seokguram|Korean Buddhism}} | ||
| − | Although enemies during the unification wars, Unified Silla maintained close ties Tang as evidenced by the continued influence of Chinese culture and Silla civilization. Korean monks traveled to [[China]] to study Buddhism in the Chinese tradition. [[India]], also, influenced Silla Buddhism as shown that monk [[Hyecho]]'s written accounts of his stay in India studying Buddhism[http://books.google.com/books?ie=UTF-8&vid=ISBN0395652375&id=MziRd4ddZz4C&pg=PA156&lpg=PA156&dq=unified+silla&sig=PtHzeMj5shwKqi4tWeHY7aIPbZE]. Those traveling monks who had studied abroad introduced new Buddhist sects of to Silla such as Seon and Pure Land Buddhism [http://books.google.com/books?ie=UTF-8&vid=ISBN0395652375&id=MziRd4ddZz4C&pg=PA156&lpg=PA156&dq=unified+silla&sig=PtHzeMj5shwKqi4tWeHY7aIPbZE]. The aristocratic class embraced the [[Hwaom]] doctrine. | + | Although enemies during the unification wars, Unified Silla maintained close ties Tang as evidenced by the continued influence of [[Chinese culture]] and Silla civilization. [[Korean Buddhism|Korean monks]] traveled to [[China]] to study Buddhism in the Chinese tradition. [[India]], also, influenced Silla Buddhism as shown that monk [[Hyecho]]'s written accounts of his stay in India studying Buddhism[http://books.google.com/books?ie=UTF-8&vid=ISBN0395652375&id=MziRd4ddZz4C&pg=PA156&lpg=PA156&dq=unified+silla&sig=PtHzeMj5shwKqi4tWeHY7aIPbZE]. Those traveling monks who had studied abroad introduced new Buddhist sects of to Silla such as Seon and Pure Land Buddhism [http://books.google.com/books?ie=UTF-8&vid=ISBN0395652375&id=MziRd4ddZz4C&pg=PA156&lpg=PA156&dq=unified+silla&sig=PtHzeMj5shwKqi4tWeHY7aIPbZE]. The aristocratic class embraced the [[Hwaom]] doctrine. |
[[Wonhyo]] (617-686) espoused the [[Buddha-Nature school]], consternated by the division and rivalry of the sects in Silla and Unified Silla. [[Pure Land Buddhism]] found an especially enthusiastic following. A faith for the common person, an educated person could adhere and understand the basic principles easily. Commoners had hope that their suffering would end upon death in the [[Western Paradise]] where [[Amitabha]] lived, the "Pure Land." Thousands left their farms to practice in the mountains as monks. | [[Wonhyo]] (617-686) espoused the [[Buddha-Nature school]], consternated by the division and rivalry of the sects in Silla and Unified Silla. [[Pure Land Buddhism]] found an especially enthusiastic following. A faith for the common person, an educated person could adhere and understand the basic principles easily. Commoners had hope that their suffering would end upon death in the [[Western Paradise]] where [[Amitabha]] lived, the "Pure Land." Thousands left their farms to practice in the mountains as monks. | ||
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Silla's middle period is characterized by the rising power of the monarchy at the expense of the [[Bone rank system|''jingol'']] nobility. This was made possible by the new wealth and prestige garnered as a result of Silla's unification of the peninsula, as well as the monarchy's successful suppression of several armed aristocratic revolts following early upon unification, which afforded the king the opportunity of purging the most powerful families and rivals to central authority. Further, for a brief period of about a century from the late 7th to late 8th centuries the monarchy made an attempt to divest aristocratic officialdom of their landed base by instituting a system of salary payments, or office land (''jikjeon'' 직전, 職田), in lieu of the former system whereby aristocratic officials were given grants of land to exploit as salary (the so–called tax villages, or ''nogeup'' 녹읍, 祿邑). | Silla's middle period is characterized by the rising power of the monarchy at the expense of the [[Bone rank system|''jingol'']] nobility. This was made possible by the new wealth and prestige garnered as a result of Silla's unification of the peninsula, as well as the monarchy's successful suppression of several armed aristocratic revolts following early upon unification, which afforded the king the opportunity of purging the most powerful families and rivals to central authority. Further, for a brief period of about a century from the late 7th to late 8th centuries the monarchy made an attempt to divest aristocratic officialdom of their landed base by instituting a system of salary payments, or office land (''jikjeon'' 직전, 職田), in lieu of the former system whereby aristocratic officials were given grants of land to exploit as salary (the so–called tax villages, or ''nogeup'' 녹읍, 祿邑). | ||
| − | Silla's political troubles began in 768 when [[Kim Daegong]] planned a coup, leading to a three year battle. A series of assassinations of kings followed, severely weakened Silla. Over the course of the next 160 years, Silla went from a flourishing kingdom to decline to collapse. The middle period of [[Silla]] came to an end with the assassination of [[Hyegong of Silla|King Hyegong]] in 780, terminating the kingly line of succession of [[Muyeol of Silla|King Muyeol]], the architect of Silla's unification of the peninsula. Hyegong‘s demise was a bloody one, the culmination of an extended civil war involving most of the kingdom‘s high–ranking noble families. | + | Silla's political troubles began in 768 when [[Kim Daegong]] planned a coup, leading to a three year battle. A series of assassinations of kings followed, severely weakened [[Silla]]. Over the course of the next 160 years, Silla went from a flourishing kingdom to decline to collapse. The middle period of [[Silla]] came to an end with the assassination of [[Hyegong of Silla|King Hyegong]] in 780, terminating the kingly line of succession of [[Muyeol of Silla|King Muyeol]], the architect of Silla's unification of the peninsula. Hyegong‘s demise was a bloody one, the culmination of an extended civil war involving most of the kingdom‘s high–ranking noble families. |
| − | With Hyegong‘s death, during the remaining years of Silla the king | + | With Hyegong‘s death, during the remaining years of [[Silla]] the king reduced to little more than a figurehead as powerful aristocratic families became increasingly independent of central control. The Silla kingship fixed in the house of [[Wonseong of Silla|King Wonseong]] (785–798), though the office itself continually contested among various branches of the Kim lineage. Nevertheless, the middle period of [[Silla]] witnessed the state at its zenith, the brief consolidation of royal power, and the attempt to institute a Chinese style bureaucratic system. Twenty kings occupied the throne in Unified Silla during the last 150 years. In the latter years of unified Silla, castle lords (seongju) rose in power weakening the grip of the center royal power in [[Gyeongju]] on the dynasty. Their grip on the countryside cut off the flow of revenue from the villages to the central government, hampering the opulent lifestyle of the aristocrats in the capital city. |
[[Image:Ddol-mangD.jpg|200px|right|thumb|reliquary from 7th century]] | [[Image:Ddol-mangD.jpg|200px|right|thumb|reliquary from 7th century]] | ||
| − | Peasant revolts flared, the first in the area of Sangju in 889. Wave after wave of peasant revolts erupted across the country. Two peasant rebel leaders, [[Gyeonhwoen]] and [[Gungye]] emerged as powerful leaders, aiming to restore the kingdoms of | + | Peasant revolts flared, the first in the area of Sangju in 889. Wave after wave of peasant revolts erupted across the country. Two peasant rebel leaders, [[Gyeonhwoen]] and [[Gungye]] emerged as powerful leaders, aiming to restore the kingdoms of Baekje and Goguryeo respectively. That action continued for nearly fifty years, spawning the [[Later Three Kingdoms]] Period. Gyeonhweon succeeded in taking the [[Baekje]] throne in [[Gwangju]], proving a despotic and ruthless leaders. He hated [[Silla]], sacking [[Gyeongju]] and killing [[King Gyeongae]] in 927. Only Gungye and Wang Keon stopped him from demolishing Silla.<ref name=multiple>http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/history.htm#The%20Ko%20Choson</ref> |
| − | Kungye succeed in capturing large areas in the previous [[Goguryeo]] kingdom, proclaiming the founding of Later Goguryeo. He build a new capital in [[Cheorweon]], giving the state the new name [[Daebong]]. He, also, hated [[Silla]], killing all who entered the kingdom from Silla. He, also, ruled with as a brutal despot. In the end, his generals forced him from the throne, the people he abused killing him. The successful peasant rebellions, and the establishing of [[ | + | Kungye succeed in capturing large areas in the previous [[Goguryeo]] kingdom, proclaiming the founding of Later Goguryeo. He build a new capital in [[Cheorweon]], giving the state the new name [[Daebong]]. He, also, hated [[Silla]], killing all who entered the kingdom from Silla. He, also, ruled with as a brutal despot. In the end, his generals forced him from the throne, the people he abused killing him. The successful peasant rebellions, and the establishing of [[Baekje]] and [[Cheorweon]], marked the end of the Unified Silla dynasty. |
The tail end of this period, called the [[Later Three Kingdoms]], saw the emergence of the kingdoms of [[Later Baekje]] and [[Later Goguryeo]] and Silla's submission to the [[Goryeo]] dynasty. Unified Silla lasted for 267 years until, under [[Gyeongsun of Silla|King Gyeongsun]], it fell to [[Goryeo]] in 935. | The tail end of this period, called the [[Later Three Kingdoms]], saw the emergence of the kingdoms of [[Later Baekje]] and [[Later Goguryeo]] and Silla's submission to the [[Goryeo]] dynasty. Unified Silla lasted for 267 years until, under [[Gyeongsun of Silla|King Gyeongsun]], it fell to [[Goryeo]] in 935. | ||
Revision as of 12:22, 21 August 2007
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Unified Silla (668–935) refers to the unification of the Three Kingdoms of southern Korea, Baekje, Koguryo, and Silla. The fall of Baekje to Silla in 668 marks the recognized beginning the the Unified Silla dynasty. Balhae (698-926) ruled the northern region of Korea, from just south of Pyongyang. The Unified Silla dynasty and Balhae both fell to Goryeo by 935, creating a unification of the northern and southern half of Korea.[1] Due to the north-south split during this period of Korean history, some historians have preferred to call the time of the Unified Silla dynasty the period of the North-South States (nambukguk sidae = 남북국 시대 = 南北國時代).
Unification
 History of Korea
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Jeulmun Period
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In the 7th century Silla allied itself with the Chinese Tang dynasty. In 660, under King Muyeol (654-661), Silla subjugated Baekje. In 668, under King Munmu (King Muyeol's successor) and the General Kim Yu-shin, Silla conquered Goguryeo to its north. During the wars near the end of the Three Kingdoms Period, Tang Dynasty China established strong administrative cities in the defeated Goguryeo dynasty as well as in Baekje. Silla launched a campaign against Tang China in 671.[2]
Tang countered with an unsuccessful invasion of Silla in 674, defeated by General Kim Yu-shin's forces. Tang forces withdrew their administrative centers to the Liaoyang region in Manchuria, leaving Silla to rule most the southern peninsula by 676. Silla then fought for nearly a decade to expel Chinese forces on the peninsula intent on creating Tang colonies there to finally establish a unified kingdom as far north as modern Pyongyang. The northern region of the defunct Goguryeo state later reemerged as Balhae.
Silla's defeat of Tang China stands tall in the scope of Korean history, equal to the defeat of the Islamic forces by Charlemagne in France. If Silla had been conquered by Tang China, Korea may have ceased to exist. The regard Koreans have for Chinese culture and civilization may have weakened their will to wage war. Korea, from that time, could have been incorporated into the Chinese empire. Silla only succeeded in unifying the southern region of the Korean peninsula, leaving the northern region for refugees of the fallen Goguryeo kingdom to establish the kingdom of Balhae.
Government
After Silla unified the south, and Balhae establish a firm government in the north, they both established peaceful relations with Tang China. Unified Silla and Balhae carried on economic and cultural exchange with Tang China. Unified Silla's, and Balhae's for that matter, exchange with Tang China took place economically and culturally.
King Sinmun (681-692) firmly established the throne of the Unified Silla dynasty in Gyengju. He eliminated a faction of nobles, the sangdaedung that derived from the "hallow bone" and "true bone" lineages, intent upon overthrowing the throne. Establishing his authority, Sinmun restructured the government and military. His son, Songdok solidified the power of the throne over the noble class further, introducing a remarkable period of national peace. Although the power of the throne became paramount, the system of True bone rank still powerfully persisted.
Silla, having expanded its territory, established an provincial and local government system to rule the unified dynasty, creating a province (chu, -ju), prefecture (kun), and county (hyoen) system. The throne resettled nobles to new secondary capitals. The capital remained in Gyeongju, although a strong faction lobbied for a move to Daegu. Silla absorbed the conquered territories into the system of government, granting government positions to local people while reserving governorships to nobles from Gyeongju.
Gyeongju, meaning "city of gold," thrived as the center of life for the noble, aristocratic class of Unified Silla. Imhaejon ("Pavilion of the Sea," set on the man made Anapchi Lake) and Posokchong's winding channel carrying nobles wine glasses while reciting poetry testify to the royal life in Gyeongju. The splendor of Gyeongju at its height has been described as a town with tiled roofs, not a thatched roof in the city. Nearly 180,000 households, with 35 mansions of royal splendor laid within the city walls.
Economy
Before unification, Silla had awarded "tax village" (sigup) to nobles for meritorious service while government officials received pay by governing "stipend villages" (nogup)in which they received taxes and the services of peasants. Shortly after unification, the throne abolished the "stipend villages" replacing them with "office-land" in which governor's received only grain tax. The reform failed, though, with the "stipend village" system returning thus re-enhancing noble power over the peasants and the throne.
Culture
Korean arts and Buddhism flourished during the Unified Silla dynasty. The royal throne sponsored the construction and support of Buddhist temple compounds like Bulguksa, Seokguram Grotto, Hwangnyongsa and Bunhwangsa temples. Bulguksa and Seokguram present an exceptional example of Unified Silla Buddhist architecture and sculpture, receiving the designation of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Buddhism
Although enemies during the unification wars, Unified Silla maintained close ties Tang as evidenced by the continued influence of Chinese culture and Silla civilization. Korean monks traveled to China to study Buddhism in the Chinese tradition. India, also, influenced Silla Buddhism as shown that monk Hyecho's written accounts of his stay in India studying Buddhism[1]. Those traveling monks who had studied abroad introduced new Buddhist sects of to Silla such as Seon and Pure Land Buddhism [2]. The aristocratic class embraced the Hwaom doctrine.
Wonhyo (617-686) espoused the Buddha-Nature school, consternated by the division and rivalry of the sects in Silla and Unified Silla. Pure Land Buddhism found an especially enthusiastic following. A faith for the common person, an educated person could adhere and understand the basic principles easily. Commoners had hope that their suffering would end upon death in the Western Paradise where Amitabha lived, the "Pure Land." Thousands left their farms to practice in the mountains as monks.
Confucianism
Confucianism entered unified Silla at this time, beginning to rival Buddhism. In 682, Confucians established the National Confucian College, the name changing to National Confucian University (Taehakkam)[3] around 750. Only the elite True Bones of Unified Silla society could attend.
The Confucian university introduced a curriculum of the Confucian classics, setting the precedent for the national exam system for the selection of government officials in 1788. The Confucian religion struck at the root of the true bone rank system and the Buddhist religion that supported it. The Silla faction that supported Confucianism, called the head-rank six faction, sought a religion that applied to every day affairs over the Buddhist focus on paradise after death. Kangsu and Seol Chong emerged as two leaders of the Confucian religion in Silla.
Science and Technology
Astronomy and Math. Maintaining a harmony between the forces of yin and yang emerged during this period, leading to the development of calendars in unified Silla. The Cheomseongdae observatory, built at the end of the Three Kingdoms period. Mathematical knowledge advanced in other areas as well, including the design for the "Pagoda of Many Treasures" (Dabota) and Pagoda That Casts On Shadow (Seokgatap) at Bulguksa.
Woodblock printing. Woodblock printing disseminated Buddhist sutras and Confucian works. During a refurbishment of the Pagoda That Casts No Shadows, archaeologists discovered an ancient print of a Buddhist sutra. The print of the Dharani sutra dated to 751 C.E., the world's oldest woodblock printing. [4].
Life of the People
In a dynasty with so much wealth and splendor among the aristocracy, the contrast of the poverty of the common people contrasted starkly. Slavery played a dominate role. Most people lived and worked on small farms clustered in villages. They had obligations to give a share of their crop to the governor, covee duty. Free commoners and slaves worked the farm land, giving money to the state and the government officials themselves. The aristocracy used every means to take money from the commoners.
Decline and Fall of Unified Silla
Silla's middle period is characterized by the rising power of the monarchy at the expense of the jingol nobility. This was made possible by the new wealth and prestige garnered as a result of Silla's unification of the peninsula, as well as the monarchy's successful suppression of several armed aristocratic revolts following early upon unification, which afforded the king the opportunity of purging the most powerful families and rivals to central authority. Further, for a brief period of about a century from the late 7th to late 8th centuries the monarchy made an attempt to divest aristocratic officialdom of their landed base by instituting a system of salary payments, or office land (jikjeon 직전, 職田), in lieu of the former system whereby aristocratic officials were given grants of land to exploit as salary (the so–called tax villages, or nogeup 녹읍, 祿邑).
Silla's political troubles began in 768 when Kim Daegong planned a coup, leading to a three year battle. A series of assassinations of kings followed, severely weakened Silla. Over the course of the next 160 years, Silla went from a flourishing kingdom to decline to collapse. The middle period of Silla came to an end with the assassination of King Hyegong in 780, terminating the kingly line of succession of King Muyeol, the architect of Silla's unification of the peninsula. Hyegong‘s demise was a bloody one, the culmination of an extended civil war involving most of the kingdom‘s high–ranking noble families.
With Hyegong‘s death, during the remaining years of Silla the king reduced to little more than a figurehead as powerful aristocratic families became increasingly independent of central control. The Silla kingship fixed in the house of King Wonseong (785–798), though the office itself continually contested among various branches of the Kim lineage. Nevertheless, the middle period of Silla witnessed the state at its zenith, the brief consolidation of royal power, and the attempt to institute a Chinese style bureaucratic system. Twenty kings occupied the throne in Unified Silla during the last 150 years. In the latter years of unified Silla, castle lords (seongju) rose in power weakening the grip of the center royal power in Gyeongju on the dynasty. Their grip on the countryside cut off the flow of revenue from the villages to the central government, hampering the opulent lifestyle of the aristocrats in the capital city.
Peasant revolts flared, the first in the area of Sangju in 889. Wave after wave of peasant revolts erupted across the country. Two peasant rebel leaders, Gyeonhwoen and Gungye emerged as powerful leaders, aiming to restore the kingdoms of Baekje and Goguryeo respectively. That action continued for nearly fifty years, spawning the Later Three Kingdoms Period. Gyeonhweon succeeded in taking the Baekje throne in Gwangju, proving a despotic and ruthless leaders. He hated Silla, sacking Gyeongju and killing King Gyeongae in 927. Only Gungye and Wang Keon stopped him from demolishing Silla.[2]
Kungye succeed in capturing large areas in the previous Goguryeo kingdom, proclaiming the founding of Later Goguryeo. He build a new capital in Cheorweon, giving the state the new name Daebong. He, also, hated Silla, killing all who entered the kingdom from Silla. He, also, ruled with as a brutal despot. In the end, his generals forced him from the throne, the people he abused killing him. The successful peasant rebellions, and the establishing of Baekje and Cheorweon, marked the end of the Unified Silla dynasty.
The tail end of this period, called the Later Three Kingdoms, saw the emergence of the kingdoms of Later Baekje and Later Goguryeo and Silla's submission to the Goryeo dynasty. Unified Silla lasted for 267 years until, under King Gyeongsun, it fell to Goryeo in 935.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Grayson, James Huntley. 2001. Myths and legends from Korea: an annotated compendium of ancient and modern materials. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon. ISBN 9780700712410
- Lancaster, Lewis R., and Chai-Shin Yu. 1991. Assimilation of Buddhism in Korea: religious maturity and innovation in the Silla Dynasty. Studies in Korean religions and culture, v. 4. Berkeley, Calif: Asian Humanities Press. ISBN 9780895818782
- Lee, Lena Kim. 1972. Korean Buddhist sculpture of the unified Silla dynasty (AD 668-935). Thesis (Ph. D.)—Harvard University, 1972. OCLC 76990656
- Lee, Peter H. 1981. Anthology of Korean literature: from early times to the nineteenth century. UNESCO collection of representative works. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii. ISBN 9780824807399
- Yi, Ki-baek. 1984. A new history of Korea. Cambridge, Mass: Published for the Harvard-Yenching Institute by Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674615755
External Links
- Korean National Heritage Online: Gyeongju University Museum. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
- Marymount School, NY. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art: Bottle with flattened side.. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art: Korea Time Line. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art: Standing Buddha. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
Notes
- ↑ http://www.rootsinfo.co.kr/history/king08.html Wang Geon changed the name of dynasty to Goryeo
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/history.htm#The%20Ko%20Choson
See also
- Three Kingdoms of Korea
- List of Korea-related topics
- History of Korea
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