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It is assumed that our country adopted the theory of divination based on topography, which is also called as the theory of Gamyeo or the theory of Jiri Docham, in the period of three states. And we can assume that the theory spreaded widely with highly accumulated academic knowledge and real experiences in the end of the United Silla. When the United Silla entered to its declining period, the theory of Docham became strong, the interest of the people concentrated on the new coming dynasty and the capital city. When Goryeo established by Taejo Wanggun, the theory became the public welfare of the whole country.
The period of Goryeo can be called as the period of the theory of divination based on topography with the buddhism. The people thought that all the rise and fall of a person or country is decided by the right or wrong of the virtue of the land. Taejo wrote ‘Hunyosipjo’ before he demised, in order to make it as principle of governing to his descendants. The book vividly shows the theory.
‘The temples were established by Dosun, considering right or wrong of the mountain and stream. He says “If you establish temples in the place where I haven’t chosen, it hurts the virtue of the land, so the operation of the country will not be long.’” <Article 2>
‘I have made this great achievement with the Eumwoo of Samhan Sancheon. Seogyeong has right virtue of the water, so it is the foundation of our country’s vein, and became the land of the great achievement and all generations. So you ought to stay there in every 4Jungwol(Jungwol=2,5,8,11th months) for over a 100days, and achieve peace of the country.’ <Article 5>
‘Outside of Gongju river where is the south of Chahyeon, the shape of mountain and the shape of the land are all running opposite, so the people’s mind will be the same.’ <Article 8>
According to these, the Kings of the country substantially conducted Gyeongrun by the theory of divination based on topography, and the theory gradually became public belief. So the interest on the place of their house and the tombs spreaded, and specialists on this field came out. Professional books became popular such as Donsunbigi, Dosundapsanga, Songakmyeongdanggi and Sinjibisa, and the name of the occupation called Jirieup which is the professionals on the theory of divination based on topography came into being, and it became a subject on the state examination. In Japgwa of the state examination, there was Jirieup, and if someone passed this exam, he is secured to a government position of expert.
The theory of divination based on topography cannot be ignored even in the Joseon dynasty when they worshipped confucianism.
The theory of divination based on topography was already included in the Siphak which was set as the entire academic field in Taejong period, and the specialist of the theory of divination based on topography could have a position in the government as there were Eum Yang gwa in Japgwa of the state examination, because there were Eum Yang gwa such as astronomy, Geography, Myeonggwa study in Yejeon Jegwa of Gyeonggukdaejeon. People who passed the exam used to work in Gwansanggam. The professional books for the examination of Chosi and Boksi were Cheongogyeong, Geumnanggyeong, Myeongsanron, Jirimungyeong, Euiryong, Gamryong, Chakmaekbu, Hosunsin and Dongrimjodam.
Joseon’s academic field were dominated by Jeongjuhak, Seongrihak and Yehak. Those studies came into bloom and consolidated its position as the national government theory. In contrast with that, the theory of divination based on topography was assumed to be declined but actually it was not. From national scale, the theory of divination based on topography came down to the family scale, it joined with the funeral culture. In the confucian point of view which weighs real life more than the life after death, the theory of divination based on topography ought to be abolished as a superstition. However, the theory of divination based on topography joined with the confucian theory of devotion to the parents and worshiping ancestors, so it lead the funeral culture.
It is the rightful duty as a descendant and also the devotion to the parents, that people enshrining their Josun which is one’s root and family’s origin to the auspicious land of virtue. As the confucians who were penetrated in scholar spirit participated in the funeral culture, the theory of divination based on topography could have healthy notions.
The proposition is ‘Only who accumulated virtue could have effect of the auspicious land’. Even though they were buried in the auspicious land, if they or their ancestors have not accumulated virtue, they thought the auspicious land will turn into unauspicious land.
They believed that they have to accumulate their virtuous deeds in ordinary times for descendants’ prosperity as there was widely spreaded thoughts that ‘Mostly really good place is hidden by the heaven, and concealed by the land, and wating for the man of virtue.’ (Gaejinhyeoljeuk, Cheonjangjibi, Idaeyudeukjiin). This is originated from the lessons in Yeokgyeong, that ‘There must be a auspicious occasions for the descendants, in the family that accumulated virtuous deeds.’ (Jeoksunjiga, Pilyuyeogyeong)
Yiyeon Jang Young Tae, the vice president of Seonggyungwan is a sincere scholar. He has been studying geography from long time ago. He studied by finding masters, and untiringly trained by the actual field researches. He devoted himself to the study of confucian studies in order to refine the profound principles of Wuihak. When his study reached to a state, he started to explore the mountains and streams. Not only domestic, but also his exploration reached to the China, Japan, Mongol, and even UK and US. He paid his respect to the famous wise scholars’ grave wherever he went to, and researched its geographical advantages. The fruition of the efforts is this book. Perhaps this book is the first definitive edition in the field and it is a vast complete book. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone.
in Muja Cheongmyeongjeol, from Bulyeokmuije
The president of Seonggyungwan, Choi Geun Deok
