¡¸Jikji¡¹was written by the
representative Buddhist, Priest Baekun Hwasang, in the end of
Goryeo era, the 14th century, his pen name is Baekun, and Buddhist
name is Kyunghan(1298-1374). Baekun was the big Buddhist priest
with Wonjung Taego Kooksa and Naong Hyegun Hwasang in the end of
Goryo era.
Hwasang(The 24th year of the reign of King Coongyul in 1298) was
born in Gobu Jeolla Province (Now Jeongub) He sought for Buddhism
from Prist Seokok Cheongkong of Chinese authority in MAY 1351(The
3rd year of the reign. King Choongjeong was 54 years old). At that
time, Hwasang got a volume of ¡¸Buljo Jikji Simche Yojol¡¹from
Seokok Sunsa, learned Buddhism, and finally mastered it in JAN
1353(The 2nd year of the reign. King Gongmin was 56 years old.) by
opening mind. Additionally, Hwasang learned from the high priest,
Jikong Hwasang, of India.
After that, he served as the chief priest of Ahnkook Temple and
Shingwang Temple in Haeju, and raised pupils, and then published
two volumes of ¡¸Jikji¡¹ in Seongbulsan in 1372(The 21st year of the
reign. King Gongmin was 77 years old.), and finally passed away in
Chwiam Temple of Yuju in 1374(The 23rd year of the reign. King
Gongmin was 23 years old.).
Hwasang focused on doctrines as well as perceiving by meditation
in Zen Buddhism on foresight, compared that Taego Kooksa or Hyegun
Hwasang focused on perceiving by meditation in Zen Buddhism at the
end of Goryo, and maintained the foresight that ¡¸Moosimmunyum¡¹ and
¡¸Moosimmusang¡¹were Jijjong simultaneously. The motive that Baekun
Hwasang published ¡¸Jikji¡¹ seems that he wanted to succeed to his
teacher, Seokok Sunsa, and then he spread Buddhist doctrine for
the future pupils.
According to the preface of Seongsadal in Xylographic Book
of¡¸Jikji¡¹, that states .
Considering this above statement, we can confirm that the motive
that Hwasang wrote ¡¸Jikji¡¹was to succeed to his teacher's will and
teach the pupils.
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