[Korea Root] 'Oseam' That Nurtured Historical Figures... Independence Activist Manhae Han Yongun

Manhae Han Yong-un Devoted His Life to the Independence Movement
Left Home for Loyalty: Maewoldang Kim Si-seup, One of the Six Martyred Ministers
Yi U-won, a Joseon Late Period Confucian Scholar and Descendant of Yi Hang-bok

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] In 1865 (the 2nd year of King Gojong), the woodblock printed edition of the Tripitaka Koreana (Palman Daejanggyeong) enshrined by Monk Namho (南湖, 1820?1872) at Oseam Hermitage (五歲庵) on Seoraksan Mountain consisted of 50 chests containing over 6,000 volumes.

However, the 'Daejangjeon (大藏殿)' building that housed the scriptures burned down during the Korean War in 1950, resulting in the complete loss of the collection. Although it was only preserved for a short 85 years at Oseam, its existence became known through travelers, Confucian scholars, missionaries, literary figures, and Buddhists who visited Seoraksan during the late Joseon period.

Notably, during the Japanese colonial period in 1905, Manhae (萬海) Han Yong-un (1879?1944), who was ordained at Baekdamsa Temple, encountered the Tripitaka Koreana at Oseam and began his Buddhist practice and studies there.

He published the poem 'The Silence of the Beloved,' conceived the national independence movement, and in Inje County, the 'Manhae Festival' is held annually around Liberation Day in August.

The fact that the traditional temple Oseam housed the woodblock printed Tripitaka Koreana and its repository is regarded as a representative case illustrating the historical continuity of Buddhist culture from the Unified Silla period through the late Joseon era.

This article reexamines Oseam, where the Tripitaka Koreana was enshrined, as a foundation for nurturing historical figures and as a cornerstone of Gangwon culture identity and Seorak region cultural heritage. [Editor's note]

◈ Series Order

① Seoraksan's Dharma Treasure 'Oseam' and the Tripitaka Koreana

② 'Oseam' that nurtured historical figures

Seoraksan Oseam Temple [Provided by Inje-gun]

② 'Oseam' that nurtured historical figures

■ Manhae Han Yong-un meets the Tripitaka Koreana at Oseam

Manhae (萬海) Han Yong-un (1879?1944), a poet and independence activist, is one of the representative figures of modern and contemporary Korean history.

He is especially regarded as the only nationalist figure who did not betray the independence movement within Korea.

Manhae's ideology greatly influenced Korea's independence movement. He stood at the center of the independence movement during the Japanese colonial period and was one of the 33 national representatives in the March 1st Movement of 1919. Ordained at Baekdamsa Temple in Gangwon Province at age 27, he read the Tripitaka Koreana (大藏經) on Seoraksan Mountain and devoted himself to Buddhism.

Manhae Han Yong-un [Provided by Inje-gun]

About 30 years after the woodblock printed Tripitaka Koreana was enshrined at Oseam Hermitage of Baekdamsa Temple, Han Yong-un from Hongseong, Chungnam Province, entered Oseam in 1896. The Tripitaka Koreana at Oseam became the historical starting point that nurtured Manhae Han Yong-un as a monk, poet, and independence activist.

He is said to have been ordained at Baekdamsa in 1905 and attained enlightenment at Oseam.

Yoon Hyung-jun, a curator at Inje County, said, "Through Manhae, we can see the role the Tripitaka Koreana, which was at Oseam for over 80 years, played and how Buddhist heritage also became part of the national heritage."

Manhae devoted over 40 years until his passing in 1944 at his home 'Simujang (尋牛莊)' in Seoul, writing works such as 'Theory of Reform in Joseon Buddhism,' 'Great Buddhist Canon,' and 'Commentary on the Ten Virtues,' while dedicating himself to the independence movement.

He notably translated Buddhist scriptures like the Avatamsaka Sutra into Hangul and worked on printing Hangul Buddhist scriptures at Ansimsa Temple. It is said that Manhae's Buddhist historical achievements and literary thought blossomed because he encountered the Tripitaka Koreana at Oseam.

Baekdamsa Manhae Memorial Hall and Yaso's Oseam Temple [Provided by Manhae Memorial Hall]

After the national humiliation in 1910, he went to China to train independence fighters and was imprisoned for three years as a leader of the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919. Saying, "Joseon land is a prison; I cannot live comfortably in a room," he always stayed in a cold room. Just before seeing the liberation he longed for, he passed away in 1944 at Simujang from a stroke and malnutrition.

Simujang houses Manhae's handwritten manuscripts, personal effects, research papers, calligraphy, portraits, and prison trial records. The name 'Simu (尋牛)' originates from a Buddhist parable likening the process of seeking enlightenment to searching for a lost ox.

■ Maewoldang Kim Si-seup and Oseam

According to 'Gyeonggak Junggeon-gi' by Hakamdang (鶴岩堂), Oseam is a hermitage more famously associated with Maewoldang (梅月堂) Kim Si-seup (1435?1493).

Kim Si-seup, a scholar of the early Joseon period and one of the Six Martyred Ministers, was a prodigy. Born in Seoul in the 17th year of King Sejong's reign (1435), he passed away at age 58 in Muryangsa Temple, Chungcheong Province, in the 24th year of King Seongjong's reign (1493).

Kim Si-seup composed Chinese poems at age 3 and read and interpreted Confucian classics such as the Doctrine of the Mean and the Great Learning at age 5, earning the nickname 'Five-Year-Old Prodigy.' King Sejong summoned him through the Royal Secretariat to test his talents.

King Sejong recited a poem saying, "The way the child studies is like a white crane dancing at the edge of the blue sky," prompting Kim Si-seup to reply, "The virtue of the sacred king is like a yellow dragon stirring in the blue sea."

Maewoldang Kim Si-seup and Geumo Sinhwa [Source=Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture]

Impressed, King Sejong rewarded him generously. Due to his nickname 'Five-Year-Old Prodigy,' it is said that this Guanyin Hermitage was named 'Oseam.' Having deeply received King Sejong's grace, Kim Si-seup vowed loyalty to the king from a young age and devoted himself to scholarship.

However, unexpectedly, at age 21, when King Sejong's grandson Danjong (端宗) was dethroned by his uncle Prince Suyang (later King Sejo), Kim Si-seup's aspirations were frustrated, and he fell into despair.

He then decided to repay King Sejong's grace by dedicating loyalty to Danjong, burned all the books he had been reading on Samgaksan Mountain, and began a wandering life.

He changed his pen name to Seoljam (雪岑), feigned madness to mock the world, traveled to famous scenic spots nationwide, and soothed his sorrow with sad poetry. During this time, he stayed at Oseam on Seoraksan Mountain. Maewoldang Kim Si-seup was also called a 'poet monk' and an eccentric.

■ Classic literary figure Lee Eun-sang's view of Oseam Tripitaka Koreana

[Provided by Inje-gun]

Nosan (鷺山) Lee Eun-sang (李殷相) visited Oseam during a ten-day tour of Seoraksan in October 1933.

Guided by the then head monk Inkong Seonsa (印空禪師), he toured the Dharma hall and the two-story building housing the Tripitaka Koreana, recording the origin and situation of the enshrinement of the Tripitaka Koreana.

"I took off my alms bowl and set it aside in a corner, then followed Head Monk Inkong Seonsa into the Wontongjeon (圓通殿) Dharma hall. After a brief rest, we ascended to the second floor Daejangjeon (大藏殿). The Tripitaka Koreana stacked there is truly the temple's treasure. It was carved by Monk Namho at Bogaesan in the first year of King Gojong's reign (1864), transported here in August the following year, and enshrined in a pavilion behind the hermitage. However, due to wind, rain, and construction issues, the building deteriorated within a few years, causing unease among the monks. Eleven years after the pavilion was built, a new foundation was laid, and gradually, with widespread support, a two-story high pavilion was constructed to house the scriptures."

Nosan also composed a sijo (traditional Korean poem) upon seeing the portrait of Maewoldang preserved at Oseam:

"Though you have gone, I see you here still. Your face is so clear and vivid. Closing my eyes, I see your spirit as well."

■ Poem left by Confucian scholar after seeing Oseam Tripitaka Koreana

Lee Yu-won (1814?1888), a Confucian scholar of the late Joseon period, was from the Gyeongju clan, with the courtesy name Gyeongchun (景春) and pen name Gyulsan (橘山). He served as Prime Minister during King Gojong's reign and was a descendant of Yi Hang-bok (李恒福).

It is unclear exactly when he saw the Tripitaka Koreana at Oseam, but it is estimated to be between 1865, when he was demoted to Suwon magistrate, and 1873, before he became Prime Minister after Daewongun's fall.

Poem by Joseon Dynasty Confucian Scholar Lee Yuwon [Provided by Inje-gun]

His travel route at the time was Daeseung Waterfall ~ Suryeomdong ~ Oseam ~ Madeungnyeong ~ Biseondae, and it is said that he wrote a poem inspired by seeing the Tripitaka Koreana at Oseam.

Lee Yu-won composed the following poem about the Tripitaka Koreana:

Tripitaka Koreana (大藏經)

Staying at Oseam, a temple from the Western Regions,

My soul in dreams is soaked in the scent of flowers,

The sacred woodblocks lie far away on Seoraksan,

The complete scriptures are kept at Jeongyangsa Temple,

Fifty chests fill a room,

Seven thousand volumes explain the Tripitaka,

The monks' merit is thanks to the Tang emperor,

All things ultimately return to where blessings are sown.

Yoon Hyung-jun, curator at Inje County, said, "It is estimated to be between 1865 and 1873. Since Lee Yu-won left a poem after seeing the Tripitaka Koreana, it can be considered evidence that the Tripitaka Koreana was at Oseam at that time."

■ British Anglican priests' view of Oseam Tripitaka Koreana

Bishop Trollope of the Church of England and Father Charles Hunt viewing the Tripitaka Koreana at Oseam Temple [Provided by Inje County]

In 1923, the unfamiliar British Bishop Trollope and Father Charles Hunt saw the woodblock printed Tripitaka Koreana at Oseam on Seoraksan and left records.

"A splendid day. Passing through a picturesque valley dotted with ponds up to the beautiful hermitage Yeongsiam. An old monk, appearing over eighty years old, lives alone. Ascending along the ridge, crossing a stream, passing Wonmyeongam, we arrived at Oseam around 1 PM. In the valley, I saw the 'Heart of the Virgin Mary (Coeur de Notre Dame)' in full bloom. Oseam is a charming hermitage located in a circular basin at an altitude of 3,200 feet, inhabited by about 8 to 10 monks, including several vigorous elderly monks. The two-story temple's upper floor housed an excellent collection of Buddha's scriptures and the complete poems of Du Fu, a Tang dynasty poet. From here, one can see mountains and mountains, with razor-sharp steep cliffs in succession, rivaling the view from Mahayeon in Mount Kumgang." ? 'Joseon' No. 24, 'Diary of a Trip to Seoraksan,' Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch, 1934.

Bishop Trollope was the third Anglican bishop of Korea, designed the Ganghwa Anglican Cathedral, and built the Unsu-ri Cathedral and Seoul Anglican Cathedral. He published numerous papers on Korea and is said to have had a deep understanding of Korean Buddhism, judging from his description of the Oseam visit.

Bishop Trollope and Father Charles Hunt reportedly visited Korean temples including Jangansa and Geonbongsa at Mount Kumgang, Baekdamsa, Oseam, Sinheungsa, and Naksansa, starting from Seoul.

Diary of Seorak Trip by British Missionary Father Charles Hunt [Provided by Inje-gun]

In 1934, Father Charles Hunt published a travelogue titled 'Diary of a Trip to Seoraksan' in the magazine 'Joseon.' The travelogue included photos of the Daejangjeon building housing the Tripitaka Koreana and monks, providing the only existing evidence of the Oseam Tripitaka Koreana history preserved until then.

Yoon Hyung-jun, curator at Inje County, said, "Reading the photos taken by Father Charles Hunt and the newspaper articles, along with records by Nosan Lee Eun-sang, proves that there was a two-story building at Oseam."

■ Legend of Oseam

Gangwon Province has many legends related to temple foundations, and some legends are associated with temple renaming. A representative example is the legend related to Oseam Hermitage in Buk-myeon, Inje County.

According to the Gangwon Province History (Volume 24, Folklore Oral Tradition and Arts), Monk Seoljeong (雪頂) took in and raised his orphaned young nephew at the hermitage. When the child turned five, the monk went down to the village to prepare for winter, leaving the child alone at the hermitage.

The monk tried to return to the hermitage with provisions but was blocked by heavy snow and waited for the snow to melt. In early spring, as the snow began to thaw, the monk hurried back to the hermitage.

Oseam and Gangwon Province History [Provided by Inje-gun]

The child, thought to be dead, opened the door and came out. When the monk asked how he survived, the child said his mother (Guanyin Bodhisattva) provided food daily.

Suddenly, a white-robed fairy appeared with the sound of the wind, stroked the child's head, gave him scriptures, and flew away as a blue bird. Since the child attained enlightenment at age five, the hermitage was named 'Oseam' (Five-Year Hermitage).

It is unclear whether the name 'Oseam' comes from Monk Seoljeong's nephew or from Kim Si-seup's 'Five-Year-Old Prodigy.'

Nosan (鷺山) Lee Eun-sang (李殷相) believed the latter theory to be correct.