Wang Ch'ung-hŭi (Korean: 왕충희; Hanja: 王冲曦; d. 1182/3) or Wang Hyŏn-hŭi (왕현희; 王玄曦) was a Goryeo Royal Prince as the fourth son of King Injong and Queen Gongye. He was also a Buddhist monk under the name National Preceptor Wongyeong and seungtong Jeungse.
| Wang Ch'ung-hŭi | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | around 1131–1144 Goryeo | ||||
| Died | 1182/3[a] Goryeo | ||||
| |||||
| House | Wang | ||||
| Father | Injong of Goryeo | ||||
| Mother | Queen Gongye of the Jangheung Im clan | ||||
| Religion | Buddhism | ||||
Biography
editEarly life and relatives
editAlthough the exact date when Ch'ung-hŭi was born is unknown, seeing that his brothers were born in 1131 (Wang Ho) and 1144 (Wang T'ak), Ch'ung-hŭi was born after 1131 but before 1144 as the fourth son of King Injong of Goryeo and Queen Gongye from the Jangheung Im clan. He had four brothers (Uijong, Daeryeong, Myeongjong, Sinjong) [1] and four sisters (Seunggyeong, Deoknyeong, Changrak, Yeonghwa).[2]
During Uijong's reign
editIn 1148 (Uijong's 2nd year reign), Ch'ung-hŭi went to Heungwang Temple (흥왕사) as a monk and received the name Jeungse (증세; 拯世) from his eldest brother, who was the king.[3] In there, Ch'ung-hŭi befriended and often played together with his great-grandfather's grandson, Wang Chang (왕장).[4] However, there was a rumor spread that the two of them were planning a treason in 1155 and Uijong then revoked Wang Chang's title, but did not punish Ch'ung-hŭi as Ch'ung-hŭi was his full brother.
In 1157, Ch'ung-hŭi was one of the 200 monks who joined Uijong in performed the "Gibokjae" (기복재; 祈福齋) at Mokchin Hall (목친전).[5] Then, in 1167, a banquet was held at Cheongnyeongjae (청녕재; 淸寧齋), many people (including Ch'ung-hŭi) were invited and enjoyed this, even monk Gakye (각예)–Yejong's eldest illegitimate son and some servants attended this banquet and drank, floated a boat in Jungmijeong Pond (중미정; 衆美亭) and played till night.[6]
During Myeongjong's reign
editIn 1177 (Myeongjong's 7th year reign), a monk from Heungwangsa Temple reported that: "Monk Ch'ung-hŭi was secretly plotting to rebel with several monks there" (승통 충희가 여러 승려들과 몰래 음모를 꾀하고 있다). Following this, Ch'ung-hŭi's servants were interrogated, but all charges were not found and they were all released then.
Meanwhile, in 1180, Ch'ung-hŭi's mother, the queen dowager became seriously ill and his older brother–the king summoned him to take care of their mother. In the palace, Ch'ung-hŭi had a promiscuous relationship (even affair) with the court ladies and even with the princess. As the bad rumors about Ch'ung-hŭi spread to the outside of the palace, officer Ch'oe Sŏn (최선) reported Ch'ung-hŭi's promiscuous behavior to the king and suggested that Ch'ung-hŭi sent out of the palace.[7]
However, Myeongjong who heard this, greatly surprised and said: "Woah, unexpectedly you (referring to Ch'oe) are trying to separate our brotherhood relationship" (뜻밖에 사간이 우리 형제를 이간질 하는구나) while dismissed Ch'oe not long after this from his position. Seeing this issue, the officers did not dare to do anything or even impeach Ch'ung-hŭi and the court ministers were all attached to Ch'ung-hŭi and offered bribes for him.
Death and later life
editIn 1182/3, Ch'ung-hŭi died and received the name Wongyeong (원경; 元敬) as his honorary posthumous name. Upon knowing this, Myeongjong deliberately didn't disclose this fact since he feared that their mother would be grieved and her ill would get worse if she couldn't withstand this. After several months, she slowly learned that her beloved son died and thought that many jealous generals had killed Ch'ung-hŭi. She also became very angry and eventually fell ill before she died not long after that.[8]
Legacy
editTo commemorate Ch'ung-hŭi, a monument (충희선사탑비) was erected at Heunggyo Temple (흥교사),[9] but didn't maintained in the nowadays and no records left about that.
Notes
edit- ^ According to the "Goryeosa Hubijeon", he died in 1182 (12th years reign of Myeongjong); but according to the "Goryeosa Jongsiljeon", he died in 1183 (13th years reign of Myeongjong).
References
edit- ^ "고려사 > 권90 > 열전 권제3 > 종실(宗室) > 인종 소생 왕자". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- ^ "고려사 > 권91 > 열전 권제4 > 공주(公主) > 인종 소생 공주 > 인종 소생 공주". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- ^ "고려사 > 권17 > 세가 권제17 > 의종(毅宗) 2년 > 11월 > 현희를 증세승통으로 삼다". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- ^ "고려사 > 권90 > 열전 권제3 > 종실(宗室) > 숙종 왕자 제안후 왕서". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- ^ "고려사 > 권18 > 세가 권제18 > 의종(毅宗) 11년 > 1월 > 승려들을 불러 기복재를 올리다". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- ^ "고려사 > 권18 > 세가 권제18 > 의종(毅宗) 21년 > 4월 > 왕제인 승려 충희가 마련한 청녕재 잔치에서 술을 마시다". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- ^ "고려사 > 권99 > 열전 권제12 > 제신(諸臣) > 최유청 > 최선". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- ^ "고려사 > 권88 > 열전 권제1 > 후비(后妃) > 인종 후비 공예태후 임씨 > 왕태후 임씨가 아들 왕충희의 죽음으로 근심하다가 홧병으로 죽다". Goryeosa (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- ^ 김, 위석, "흥교사 (興敎寺)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-03-28