Jajang
Jajang (590–658) was a monk born Kim Seonjong, into the royal Kim family, in the kingdom of Silla. He is credited with founding the temple of Tongdosa in 646 CE, near in what is now Busan, South Korea, and played a significant role in the adoption of Buddhism as the national religion of Silla. His biography is told in the anthology of Korean Buddhism: "Jogye Culture Web", Vol 10.[1][2]
In 636 Jajang traveled to China to study under the great Buddhist masters of the Tang dynasty China,[3] for seven years[4] becoming a taeguksa (Great Noble Priest) upon returning, receiving the highest honors from Queen Seondeok.
Treasures
When Jajang returned from China he was given invaluable holy treasures: a fragment of the original Sakyamuni Buddha's skull, a wooden begging-bowl and monastic-robe of Buddha, and 100 of the Buddha's "sarira" (pearl or crystal-like bead-shaped objects that are purportedly found among the cremated ashes of Buddhist spiritual masters).
Reputation
Because of his astute mind, he was repeatedly requested by the King to take a position of responsibility at court. Jajang repeatedly refused these requests, so finally the exasperated King issued an ultimatum: "If you do not accept this official position I offer, I will have your head severed for disobedience." Jajang replied, "I would rather die keeping the commandments of Buddha for one day than live for a hundred years while breaking them." The King saw the wisdom in Jajang's reply and relented allowing Jajang to remain a monk.[5]
References
- ↑ Jogye Order; Culture Web Vol. 10, pp. 180/1
- ↑ "CNN".
- ↑ "Koreatimes". Retrieved 2010-12-12.
- ↑ "Britannica.com". Retrieved 2010-12-14.
- ↑ Adams, Edward (1983). Korea Guide - A Glimpse of Korea's Cultural Legacy. Seoul, South Korea: Seoul International Tourist Publishing Company. p. 208.
External links
Jajang, Wikipedia
