Examined in this article, is the secular status granted to the Buddhist priests, in this case an official and symbolic rank bestowed by the government, during the latter half period of the Goryeo dynasty. Exactly when such practice began, and what kind of relationship existed at the time between such practice and the management of the Buddhist society in general, are also examined here.
Such practice started during the period when the Yuan empire was intervening in Goryeo’s internal affairs, and it continued through the end of the Goryeo dynasty. The titles bestowed to them included usual titles such as ‘Wu’se’ or ‘Su’bok,’ which meant either ‘helping the country’ or ‘providing good fortune,’ staying true to the spirit and traditional functions of Buddhism. Buddhist priests from various schools such as Jo’gye-jong, Hwa’eom-jong, Beobsang-jong and Cheontae-jong were all entitled, and their ranks and positions were usually those of the Grand Masters or Lead Priests. When they received the titles, they were also granted with the honorary positions of Jung’dae’gwang or Sam’jung’dae’gwang from the civilian rank structure. And they also received certain economic provisions, just like any other governmental officials who received civilian ranks.
Going through the Military ruling period and also the war with the Mongol troops, many things in and out of the Buddhist community changed or deteriorated. So the king created some new posts like Yang’ga Do-Seungtong, Yang’ga Do-Chongseob and Pan-Cheontae-jong’sa, which would help him manage the individual Buddhist sects or even the entire Buddhist order. He also appointed several priests to those posts, in order to reform the inside of the Buddhist society. Yet in order to initiate an efficient and powerful reform through a specifically chosen individual Buddhist priest, that priest had to be armed with an official post which could effectively deliver his voice and his authority. That was why entitlements were bestowed to certain priests, so that they could assume the role of Yang’ga Do-Seungtong and others, and then reform the Buddhist community.
Yet traditionally in Goryeo, the Buddhist priests were strictly prohibited from coming into the palace or participating in politics, as a principle. That was another reason that the priests were granted with the entitlements. Once someone received such entitlement, for example a retired governmental official, he could freely come in to the palace and join important discussions of the government. And so could the Buddhist priests who received such entitlements. In other words, they gained access to the palace by such entitlements, and then they were able to engage themselves in their reform efforts targeted at the entire Buddhist society. The kings elevated the status of certain Buddhist priests by granting them with certain entitlements, and then affiliated with them and allowed them to join the Buddhist reforms.