Name/TitleSamguk yusa (三國遺事, Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), Yonsei University

About this objectThe coming of Buddhism to the kingdoms of Korea from the 4th century was recorded in the second section of this text, a history of Korea up to the 10th century. Written by a Buddhist monk, Iryeon 一然 (1206–89), it was completed c.1285, although the earliest extant text is from 1512 and contains later additions. Despite the title, it mainly concerns Buddhist legends and the history of the Silla kingdom (57–918) with much less on contemporary Baekje (18 BC–AD 660) and Goguryeo (37 BC–AD 668). However, it names three Buddhist monks who travelled from various kingdoms in China to the Three Kingdoms, namely Sundo ((順道) to Goguryeo in 372, Malananta (마라난타, 摩羅難陀) to Baekje in 384, and Ado (阿道) to Silla, also around this period. Ado founded Jikjisa (直指寺), a Buddhist temple. Like many Buddhist temples, it was built on a mountain: these were often already places of worship.

Date Made1285

Place MadeKorea

Subject and Association KeywordsArrivals

Subject and Association KeywordsBooks

Subject and Association DescriptionLearn more: McBride 2007

Medium and MaterialsInk on paper

TechniqueWoodblock printed

Credit LineYonsei University

Object numberEXH18: Korea NT 306-3