Munmyo

Munmyo

Daeseongjeon in Munmyo
Korean name
Hangul 문묘
Hanja 文廟
Revised Romanization Munmyo
McCune–Reischauer Munmyo

Munmyo (more specifically Seoul Munmyo or Seonggyungwan Munmyo) is Korea's primary temple of Confucius ("munmyo" is also the general Korean term for a temple of Confucius). Munmyo baehyang (Hangul: 문묘배향 , hanja: 文廟配享 ) was the highest honor a scholar could achieve during the Joseon. Only eighteen people were granted this honor; they are called the "Eighteen Sages of Korea" or the "Eighteen Confucian Scholars of the East" (Hangul: 동방18현 , hanja: 東方18賢 ). It is located in central Seoul, South Korea, at 53 Myeongnyun-dong 3(sam)-ga, Jongno District, on the campus of Sungkyunkwan University.

Munmyo houses a shrine to Confucius known as Daeseongjeon, or "Hall of Great Achievement." The main gate leading to the shrine Sinsammun, literally "Spirit Three Gate", is open only on special occasions such as Seokjeon Daeje. The central gate is reserved for the spirit of Confucius and his disciple, and no one else may enter through this gate. Past this gate is the central path that leads to Daeseongjeon, and visitors may not cross this path, especially during a ceremony when the gates are open.[1] The courtyard is used for the Seokjeon Daeje ceremony. Munmyo also contains two other halls (Dongmu and Seomu, east and west hall), two dormitories (Dongjae and Seojae, east and west dormitories), a Confucian lecture hall called Myeongnyundang, a library called Cheonggyeongdang, and Jinsasikdang which is the dining hall.[2][3]

History

Aak musicians at Munmyo Shrine with stone chimes and drums
The gate of Sinsammun

The Munmyo is based on Confucianism from China, where Confucius and followers of his teachings were honored and venerated. Temples dedicated to Confucius and other disciples called "temples of Confucius" became widespread during the Tang dynasty. This idea was brought to Korea where it was adopted. The Munmyo was begun during the Later Silla, but it wasn't fully developed and completed until 1398 under Taejo of Joseon. Notable scholars of Joseon, Silla and Goryeo were added to the temple.[4] Subsequently, other scholars during the Joseon were also added. It was a tedious process where one had to request, apply, and wait well after their death.[5]

Present Day

A ritual called Munmyo jerye (Hangul: 문묘제례 ; hanja: 文廟祭禮 ) or Seokjeon Daeje, which involves music and dance, is held there each year in the spring (April) and autumn (September); the ritual features ancient music of Chinese origin called Munmyo jeryeak (Hangul: 문묘제례악 ; hanja: 文廟祭禮樂 ), which is a form of aak. Munmyo also served as the national shrine for Confucius, ten of his disciples, and eighteen of Korea's most venerated Confucian scholars including (in the chronological order of enshrinement) Choe Chiwon, Seol Chong, An Hyang, Jeong Mong-ju, Kim Gweong-pil, Jeong Yeo-chang, Jo Gwang-jo, Yi Eon-jeok, Yi Hwang, Yi I, Seong Hon, Kim Jang-saeng, Song Si-yeol, Song Jun-gil, Pak Se-chae, Kim Inhu, Jo Hun, and Kim Jip.

The musicians are provided by the National Gugak Center. The instruments used include flutes (hun, so, and bamboo flutes), zithers (seul and geum), stone chimes (pyeongyeong), bronze bells (pyeonjong), various drums played with sticks, tiger-shaped wooden scraper (eo), wooden box (chuk), and wooden clappers (bak).

Munmyo is designated by the South Korean government as Historic Site No. 143.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Confucian ceremony at Seonggyungwan Munmyo". Korea.net. March 24, 2015.
  2. ↑ An Byung-ju. "Sunggyun-gwan, Sanctuary of Confucianism in Korea". Korana.
  3. ↑ "Munmyo Shrine". Parandeul.
  4. ↑ Joseon Annals, March 19, 1409. No. 1
  5. ↑ Joseon Annals, November 20, 1883. No. 2
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