@article{ART003361614},
author={Lee Joung Hoon},
title={Qualifications and Teaching Methods of Instructors in Monastery Education during the Goryeo Dynasty},
journal={The Review of Korean History},
issn={1225-133X},
year={2026},
number={162},
pages={7-46}
TY - JOUR
AU - Lee Joung Hoon
TI - Qualifications and Teaching Methods of Instructors in Monastery Education during the Goryeo Dynasty
JO - The Review of Korean History
PY - 2026
VL - null
IS - 162
PB - The Historical Society Of Korea
SP - 7
EP - 46
SN - 1225-133X
AB - This paper examines the qualifications required for ordained monks to educate laypeople, their efforts to become instructors, and their educational methods, focusing on the teaching of poetry composition.
In the Goryeo Dynasty, monks responsible for monastery education were known by various titles, including State Preceptor(Guksa 國師), Monk Superintendent(Seungtong, 僧統), Seon Master(Seonsa 禪師), Head Monk(Juji 住持), Elder in monastery(Jangro 長老), Instructor(Gangju 講主), Superintendent(Pansa 判事), and second exam of the monk examination course(Daeseon 大選), all of whom had passed the monk examination course(僧科). In other words, a monk had to pass the monastic examination in order to be entrusted with monastery education.
In monastery, laypeople were taught various subjects, including the rules of punctuation(句讀法), poetry composition, the Confucian classics and historical texts, and calligraphy. While reading Buddhist scriptures and preparing for the monk examination course, monks studied the basics of Classical Chinese. Consequently, basic instruction, such as punctuation, could readily be provided by those who had passed the monk examination course. Since subjects such as poetry composition, the Confucian classics, and history required a higher level of learning than punctuation, monks honed their skills by studying on their own or by seeking out and learning from eminent monks(高僧), officials, and intellectuals who were well versed in these subjects. Through these efforts, monks developed into the instructors of monastery education.
Among the subjects taught in Goryeo Monasteries, poetry composition was the most difficult. Monks taught poetry composition by beginning with methods of composition, repeatedly presenting themes for learners to write on, training them through poetic exchanges, and having them read aloud works by renowned authors to understand how they were composed. However, monks did not apply these methods uniformly to all learners. Rather, they tailored them to each student’s level and ability. Furthermore, monks frequently informed the parents and family members of their lay students about the progress of their studies. At times, they commissioned poems or writings of encouragement from government officials and used these works to motivate their students to strive harder.
KW - Monastery Education;Instructor;Monk;Passing the Monk Examination Course;Teaching method;Poetry composition
DO -
UR -
ER -
Lee Joung Hoon. (2026). Qualifications and Teaching Methods of Instructors in Monastery Education during the Goryeo Dynasty. The Review of Korean History, 162, 7-46.
Lee Joung Hoon. 2026, "Qualifications and Teaching Methods of Instructors in Monastery Education during the Goryeo Dynasty", The Review of Korean History, no.162, pp.7-46.
Lee Joung Hoon "Qualifications and Teaching Methods of Instructors in Monastery Education during the Goryeo Dynasty" The Review of Korean History 162 pp.7-46 (2026) : 7.
Lee Joung Hoon. Qualifications and Teaching Methods of Instructors in Monastery Education during the Goryeo Dynasty. 2026; 162 : 7-46.
Lee Joung Hoon. "Qualifications and Teaching Methods of Instructors in Monastery Education during the Goryeo Dynasty" The Review of Korean History no.162(2026) : 7-46.
Lee Joung Hoon. Qualifications and Teaching Methods of Instructors in Monastery Education during the Goryeo Dynasty. The Review of Korean History, 162, 7-46.
Lee Joung Hoon. Qualifications and Teaching Methods of Instructors in Monastery Education during the Goryeo Dynasty. The Review of Korean History. 2026; 162 7-46.
Lee Joung Hoon. Qualifications and Teaching Methods of Instructors in Monastery Education during the Goryeo Dynasty. 2026; 162 : 7-46.
Lee Joung Hoon. "Qualifications and Teaching Methods of Instructors in Monastery Education during the Goryeo Dynasty" The Review of Korean History no.162(2026) : 7-46.
