안향 －유교의 확산과 문치사회론－

Abstract

Examined in this article is An Hyang’s promotion of dynastic education, as well as his efforts to enlist talented people in government service. Those aspects of his life are examined here based upon recent studies conducted on the unique relationship cultivated between Goryeo and the Mongol Yuan Empire. In other words, a more comprehensive and systemic review of the matter is attempted in this article. In the 13th and 14th centuries, international order was in flux. Goryeo was under oppression and intervention of the Mongol Yuan empire, but at the same time it was also embracing Neo-Confucianism, and other cultural influences from the outer world. An Hyang, while remaining determined to keep the country safe and its traditions preserved, tried to actively import Yuan-introduced worldly culture as well, and also not only promote the Gukhak university of the dynasty but spread Confucianism in Goryeo too. He served not only as a Dokrohwa(禿魯花) figure in Yuan, but also as a Jeongdong Haengseong(征東行省) official in Goryeo, and in the course of such career acquainted himself with Neo-Confucianism, repaired schools and established an Academic fund named Seomhak-jeon, and imported relevant texts such as the Six Classics(六經) and Theories & Histories(子史) from China. He also taught his understanding of Neo-Confucianism to Baek I-jeong, Gweon Bu and Wu Tak, who relayed such teaching to figures like Yi Je-hyeon, Yi Gok and Yi Saek later on. An Hyang’s promotion of Gukhak and his efforts to raise future talents were duly acknowledged when it was decided by the government to enshrine his tablet inside the Confucian shrine in the 6th year of King Chungsuk-wang’s reign. Yi Je-hyeon also highly praised him and even called him the Confucian master of an entire era(儒宗). During the Military Regime period and the 30 years-long fight against the Mongols, the country was devastated and education was lost, but An Hyang’s determination to reverse all that by importing Neo-Confucianism from Yuan and dedicate his life to the development of Goryeo Confucianism was finally recognized. In essence, in a turbulent time period during which the Goryeo period experienced the traumatic Mongol invasion and the Empire’s political interference in Goryeo affairs, An Hyang continued his efforts to understand the Ways of Confucian Sages, promote the operations of the Dynastic Gukhak University, and laid down the foundation for Confucianism’s further spread throughout the society. His real contribution was to the foundation of a certain community, where Confucianism would rise as the leading voice, and the notion of ‘civilized governance of a community’ was to prevail for a long time.