고려시대 승려의 사원 轉補와 遙領

Abstract

In the Goryeo dynasty, the transference of quite many monks into many temples occurred. This was the way in which the country managed temples, but also the process in which the qualities of monks were recognized. Wangshi(王師) or monks from the royal family or those who received high grades, however, sometimes did not reside in temples appointing them as chief monks. The yaoling(遙領) of local temples was conducted by them, as they stayed in Gaegyeong(開京), according to the kings' commands. The yaoling(遙領), a concept used in bureaucracy system, was to govern jurisdiction without directly visiting it. Although it was first implemented in the period of Thee Kingdoms and continuously appeared until the Tang and Song dynasty, it was rarely recorded in Goryeo government organizations, but rather it often appeared in relation to the management of temples. The yaoling(遙領) of local temples was conducted by such monks who called them ‘temple principal[本寺]’. The temple yaoling(遙領) was also expressed as yaozhu(遙住). It was a certain kind of benefit for high-ranking monks, under the principle of transference of monks as chief monks. It was also sometimes an administrative measure for managing local temples, by relying on the monks' capability.