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National Treasure

Royal Edict of Appointment Issued to Great Master Hyesim

혜심 고신제서 ( 惠諶 告身制書 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification National Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Royal Edict of Appointment Issued to Great Master Hyesim
Quantity 1 document
Designated Date 1962.12.20
Age The 3rd year of the reign of King Gojong of Goryeo (1216)
Address Songgwangsa Temple, 100, Songgwangsaan-gil, Songgwang-myeon, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do

This is a royal edict proclaiming the bestowal of the title of great master upon Hyesim, otherwise known as second State Preceptor Jingak of Jogyesan Buddhism, a major branch of Buddhism in Korea, in 1216 (the 3rd year of the reign of King Gojong of the Goryeo Dynasty). The edict is written in ink on a scroll made of seven sheets of red, yellow, and white silk emblazoned with diamond-shaped flower patterns. The scroll measures 3.6 cm in width and 33 cm in length. It is one of the few surviving royal edicts bestowed upon a monk in the Goryeo Period.