Yi Saek
Encyclopedia
Yi Saek also known as Mokeun, is a Korean
writer and poet. His family belonged to the Hansan Yi clan. Yi Saek played a crucial role in the introduction and localisation of philosophy of Zhu Xi
. He studied Neo-Confucianism in Yuan Dynasty
China
and opened an academy after his return to Goryeo
, and from his academy the founders of Joseon Dynasty
were educated.
Many of his disciples, such as Jeong Dojeon and Gwon Geun
, used Neo-Confucian as the ideological basis for overthrowing Buddhist kingdom of Goryeo
and establishing Confucian Joseon. However, Yi Saek himself remained loyal to the Goryeo dynasty and didn't believe wiping out of Buddhism, as Jeong Dojeon insisted, would be of any benefit. Yi Saek believed in the co-existence of the "Three Disciplines": Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism
. Yi Saek resigned from all political positions after the founding of Joseon Dynasty.
Not much is known about how he died, but some say that he was murdered while crossing a bridge. When he was offered the position of prime minister by Yi sung gye
, Saek turned the offer down and told him that he could not serve two kings. Yi subsequently ordered his men to kill him if he was not able cross the bridge in time, and if he does cross it in time, to let him go.
Yi Saek left various poetry, essays and letters compiled in The Collected Works of Mokeun.
Korean people
The Korean people are an ethnic group originating in the Korean peninsula and Manchuria. Koreans are one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogeneous groups in the world.-Names:...
writer and poet. His family belonged to the Hansan Yi clan. Yi Saek played a crucial role in the introduction and localisation of philosophy of Zhu Xi
Zhu Xi
Zhū Xī or Chu Hsi was a Song Dynasty Confucian scholar who became the leading figure of the School of Principle and the most influential rationalist Neo-Confucian in China...
. He studied Neo-Confucianism in Yuan Dynasty
Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was a ruling dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai Khan, who ruled most of present-day China, all of modern Mongolia and its surrounding areas, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. It is considered both as a division of the Mongol Empire and as an...
China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and opened an academy after his return to Goryeo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
, and from his academy the founders of Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
were educated.
Many of his disciples, such as Jeong Dojeon and Gwon Geun
Kwon Geun
Kwon Geun was a Korean Neo-Confucian scholar at the dawn of the Joseon Dynasty, and a student of Yi Saek. He was one of the first Neo Confucian scholars of the Joseon dynasty, and had a lasting influence on the rise of Neo Confucianism in Korea....
, used Neo-Confucian as the ideological basis for overthrowing Buddhist kingdom of Goryeo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
and establishing Confucian Joseon. However, Yi Saek himself remained loyal to the Goryeo dynasty and didn't believe wiping out of Buddhism, as Jeong Dojeon insisted, would be of any benefit. Yi Saek believed in the co-existence of the "Three Disciplines": Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism
Taoism
Taoism refers to a philosophical or religious tradition in which the basic concept is to establish harmony with the Tao , which is the mechanism of everything that exists...
. Yi Saek resigned from all political positions after the founding of Joseon Dynasty.
Not much is known about how he died, but some say that he was murdered while crossing a bridge. When he was offered the position of prime minister by Yi sung gye
Taejo of Joseon
Taejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
, Saek turned the offer down and told him that he could not serve two kings. Yi subsequently ordered his men to kill him if he was not able cross the bridge in time, and if he does cross it in time, to let him go.
Yi Saek left various poetry, essays and letters compiled in The Collected Works of Mokeun.