국립중앙박물관 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF KOREA

Wind-bell excavated from Hoeamsa Temple

The chime with words "The King of Joseon": This is a very large chime hung at Bogwangjeon of Hoeamsa Temple, a temple which was funded by the Joseon royal family. Considering its size, which is 31.7cm tall, one could estimate the status of the temple. There are 134 words inscribed on the chime that call the chime as 'Geumtak', hence its name. The words "Royal Preceptor and Eminent Priest Myoeom", "The King of Joseon", "The Wise Queen", and "Crown Prince" are inscribed on the top of the chime, while its borders are inscribed with words that prays Joseon to last forever and the name of donor, hence it hints the close relationship between the royal family and the temple. Here, the King of Joseon, the wise queen, and the crown prince respectively refers to King Taejo, Queen Sindeok, and Lee Bangseok, and the Royal Preceptor and Eminent Priest Myoeom refers to the Master Muhak who aided King Taejo to establish Joseon. This shows that even in Joseon, a confucianism kingdom, maintained Goryeo's Royal Preceptor policy that engaged monks to guide the King and that royal family members continued to get involved in Buddhism-related activities. The words on the borders of the chime: Four corners of Bogwangjeon in Hoeamsa, which is located in Cheonbosan Mountain, is gorgeously decorated with golden walls and is more splendid than the castle of the sky. This chime shall be hung to praise the Buddha. Let us uphold this miraculous and radiant smoke to introduce the name of Joseon all over the world.

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