Hangul 자장 율사 Hangul 김선종 Hanja 慈藏律師 Hanja 金善宗 | Role Dish McCune–Reischauer Chajang Yulsa | |
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Name Kim Seonjong Similar Champon, Sweet and sour pork, Sweet bean sauce, Tteokbokki, Instant noodle | ||
Revised Romanization Jajang Yulsa | ||
How to make Jajangmyeon Noodles at home
Jajang (590–658) was a monk born Kim Seonjong, into the royal Kim family, in the kingdom of Silla. He is credited with founding the temple of Tongdosa in 646 CE, near in what is now Busan, South Korea, and played a significant role in the adoption of Buddhism as the national religion of Silla. His biography is told in the anthology of Korean Buddhism: "Jogye Culture Web", Vol 10.
Contents
Training
In 636 Jajang traveled to China to study under the great Buddhist masters of the Tang Dynasty China, for seven years becoming a taeguksa (Great Noble Priest) upon returning, receiving the highest honors from Queen Seondeok.
Treasures
When Jajang returned from China he was given invaluable holy treasures: a fragment of the original Sakyamuni Buddha's skull, a wooden begging-bowl and monastic-robe of Buddha, and 100 of the Buddha's "sarira" (pearl or crystal-like bead-shaped objects that are purportedly found among the cremated ashes of Buddhist spiritual masters).
Reputation
Because of his sharp mind he was repeatedly requested by the King to take a position of responsibility at court. Jajang repeatedly refused these requests so finally the King issued an ultimatum: "If you do not accept this official position I offer, I will have your head severed for disobedience." Jajang replied "I would rather die keeping the commandments of Buddha for one day than live for a hundred years while breaking them." The King seeing the wisdom in Jajang's reply relented allowing Jajang to remain a monk.
Temples
Jajang established many temples but Tongdosa, one of the Three Jewel Temples of Korea, is considered the most important.
Temples of note: