一然의 國王觀 - 『三國遺事』 「紀異」 편을 중심으로 -

Abstract

In 13th century Korea, Ilyeon lived as a Buddhist monk. It was a period of confusion plagued with the Military Rule, war with Mongolia, and political intervention of the Yuan Empire. In 1249, Ilyeon energed from a life in seclusion became actively involved with Korea’s royal household as amity with the Mongols was strived and the power of monarchy over the nation was restored. From recorded history Ilyeon held a negative stance against the Military Rule, and enthusiastically supported the king Korea. Ilyeon deemed political power of the king be firmly established in Korea. Ilyeon claimed the Buddhist sacred texts depicted king as a being protected by the son of Heaven or the Heaven. He also stated it the king’s duty to guard against foreign threats, protect the nation’s, and life of its people flourish. In Samgukyusa, chapter of Giyi accounts all the dynasties Korea where the founders of each nation were deemed the Son of Heaven or the Heaven, and were portrayed as protected by sky gods, strived to guard the nation, and to secure the prosperity of their people. In certain instances they were depicted as being abandoned by the sky gods for not fulfilling the duties. Ilyeon King Munmu as an ideal monarch. King Munmu not only unified the three kingdoms of the peninsula but brought peace, and committed himself to protect his country even in death by turning into a dragon. Ilyeon desired to emphasize the sacredness of sovereignty and the importance of the fair and just rule of a divine king, with this intention he wrote the chapter of Giyi and placed it at the outset of Samgukyusa.