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The Operation of the Juji(住持) System and the Temple Economy in the Goryeo Period

  • The Review of Korean History
  • 2008, (90), pp.25-66
  • Publisher : The Historical Society Of Korea
  • Research Area : Humanities > History

Lee Byunghee 1

1한국교원대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The Juji, a chief monk of a Buddhist temple, was in charge of managing the temple to which he was assigned in the Goryeo period. The Juji also played the most important role in financially managing the temple. In principle, the Jujies of major temples were typically appointed by the government in the Goryeo period. However, when a temple was established by a certain person, the Juji of the temple was usually appointed and succeeded by privately without any influence of the government. But when privately constructed temples were large-scaled and important, the government made attempts to manage them consistently. The Jujies of temples taught Buddhist tenets to general monks and presided over Buddhist meditations. They also arranged various Buddhist events held in temples and were accountable for the maintenance of temples and repairing temple buildings. Besides, they were responsible for handling various emergency situations. When they perfectly carried out their tasks and exhibited their abilities, they received respects from general monks. Jujies were also in charge of financially managing temples. Some Jujies made lots of profits by forcefully loaning a huge amount of grains to poor peasants. In addition, they played a crucial role in expanding the land of temples. While some Jujies helped poor people and therefore received lots of respects, others attracted people's attention by economically managing temples. Some even donated their private wealth to temples. As the Juji system was poorly maintained in the late Goryeo period, some monks who won the king's favor often exerted a significant influence on Buddhist policies and bribes were frequently paid to exercise an influence on appointing the Jujies of temples. Lot of Jujies did not try to repair damaged buildings or facilities of temples. Besides, quite a few Jujies privatized the properties of temples. As a result. the qualities of Jujies were often questioned, raising the argument that those who behaved reasonably, had no desire for wealth, and were virtuous should be Jujies. These explain why the economic reformation of temples was often linked with the qualifications of Jujies in the early Joseon period.

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