[특별기고] 세종과 집현전

Abstract

Jiphyeonjeon(集賢殿), a royal policy research institute reinstated by King Sejong, contributed as a central institution, especially for innovating scholarship and scientific technology in the Sejong era. King Sejong promoted ten schools(十學) - yu-hak(儒學; Confucianism), mu-hak(武學; military studies), i-hak(吏學; diplomatic documents), ja-hak(字學; studies of letters, yeok-hak(譯學; interpreting study), eum-yang-pung-su-hak(陰陽風水學; astronomy and geomancy), san-hak(算學; mathematics), hwa-hak(畵學; paintings), ak-hak(樂學; music studies). In regard to Confucianism, sa-hak(史學; history) was more respected than gyeong-hak(經學; philosophy and ethics) focusing on ethical aspects. Therefore, all ten schools were practical learnings. Medical science, one of the practical learnings, was added to the ten schools. Jiphyeonjeon contributed the most to the compilation of books on these practical learnings. Although Jiphyeonjeon did not directly help the creation of Hunminjeongeum(訓民正音), it actively contributed to work explaining the principles of Hunminjeongeum and annotating in Korean. Hunminjeongeum was created by King Sejong with the help of the prince and princess, and the principle of its invention was an application of the eum-yang idea of Korean traditional yeok-hak(易學) and the won-bang-gak(圓方角; shape of round, square, triangle) figure symbolizing cheon-ji-in(天地人; heaven, earth, human). Taegeukgi, a flag of the Joseon Dynasty, and Hunminjeongeum have little to do with Neo-Confucianism from the Song Dynasty. It is based on the idea of yeok(易; philosophy of change) that has been handed down since Gojoseon. King Sejong should be re-examined as an integrated thinker and a practical scholar who achieved national unity with an inclusiveness that encompasses Confucianism, Buddhism, and folk beliefs.