Reillumination of the humanities resources of Yeongdeok

Path of lyrical literature

Wise men and literature giants of Yeongdeok. Buddhist priest Naong, Shin Deukcheong, Yun Seondo, Kim Hanhong and Shin Dolseok. With free thoughts, they sang of Yeongdeok's strength and relieved the pain of the times by deploring reality.
[Path of lyrical literature : Samsa Marine Park - Wind Power Generation Complex - Buddhist Priest Naong Bansong Historic Site - Jangyuksa Temple - General Shin Dolseok Historic Site]

"The green mountain tells me to live a silent life.
The heavens tell me to live without fault.
I am told to be rid of greed and avarice.
I am told to live like water and the wind."

This poem which everyone is familiar with was written by Buddhist priest Naong. It is considered to be the first poem of lyrical literature. Of the many poems that he left, this one became the first of lyrical literature. There is much lyrical literature from Yeongdeok. It's no wonder Yeongdeok is recognized as the home of lyrical literature of the late Goryeo and Joseon Period.

Singi-ri, Changsu-myeon, Yeongdeok-gun. It is the home of Buddhist priest Naong. He was born and raised here. Nearby is Kkachiso with the story of his birth and Buddhist Priest Naong Bansong Historic Site. The greatest Buddhist priest and king's advisor of the Goryeo Period. You can feel his spirit at Jangyuksa Temple which he built.

On September 28, 2010, the Yeokdaejeolliga Monument was raised in the Wind Power Generation Complex. The unveiling ceremony was meaningful in that it designated Yeongdeok as the home of lyrical literature. Shin Deukcheong was born in Illyang-ri and was the lord of Pyeongsan Prefecture. He wrote "Yeokdaejeolliga" to admonish the politics of King Gongmin. His name was buried in the East Sea along with his patriotic spirit. That meaning is being reilluminated today.

"Raising the country for a more comfortable court
is a king who advances the country.
Strengthening the court with chaos
is a foolish king."

Buddhist priest Naong's "Yeokdaejeolliga" is said to be the first poem of lyrical literature.

Buddhist priest Naong also wrote "Seowangga" and "Seungwonga". The poems opened up a new genre of lyrical literature. Shin Deukcheong and Buddhist priest Naong had different goals, but they both returned home to Yeongdeok and created the genre of lyrical literature. They opened up a new horizon in literature.

Lyrical literature consisted of poems written during the Joseon Period. Unlike simple, condensed and standardized traditional verse, it only consists of a basic rhythm. There was unlimited freedom within that rhythm. At the Wind Power Generation Complex, there is another monument with a poem. It is the Gosan Yun Seondo Poem Monument. Gosan Yun Seondo was a genius poet. He didn't stop writing poems even when he was exiled to Yeongdeok during the Second Manchu Invasion of Korea.

"I was in the south coast in fall last year.
I greeted the moon from the eaves.
How was I to know I would be in the East Coast
sitting under the moon missing the old hill."

This is where the East Coast Moonlight Hike takes place when there is a full moon. I am inspired by the wise people of the old days. Even now, centuries later, nature hasn't changed and is still very inspiring.

Lyrical literature changed over the Joseon Period and diversified as nobility literature and women's literature. It reflected the characteristics of the times and evolved into religious literature and enlightenment literature.

I go to Samsa Marine Park to see Hasan Kim Hanhong's (1877 - 1943) Haeyuga Monument. Kim Hanhong was born and raised in Ganggu, Yeongdeok. He experienced culture from advanced countries and was impressed by it. He wrote "Haeyuga", a travelogue of the US.

"Weeds have grown all over Yungnogeori in Gwanghwamun.
Black clothes are rampant outside the old Bosingak house.
The pines of Mt. Bugaksan look sad.
The sound of Jaha-dong shallows is choked with sorrow."

Here is another poem that expresses the frustration of the country's reality.

"A wayfarer stands on the pavilion and thinks about the mother country."
"At the age of 27, what have I achieved?"
"The autumn wind arouses deep emotion."

They sang about the times with sensitivity and cool-headed expressions. They led the moral culture of Yeongdeok to this day. I walked the path of lyrical literature which tells you Yeongdeok is the home of lyrical literature and a large part of the Korean spiritual culture.

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