The Inheritance of the Maitreya’s Relic Ganzhaby Silla Monk Simji and the Foundingof Donghwasa Temple

In the 9th century, the Silla monk Simji, after inheriting the Maitreya’s Relic Ganzha from Jinpyo, founded Donghwasa on Mt. Palgongsan in Daegu. Simji, originally a prince who renounced his royal status, exhibited a distinctive association with Jinpyo’s teachings. Previous studies, considering this, primarily examined Simji’s activities and philosophical aspects from a political perspective. This paper specifically investigates Simji’s philosophical aspects and his actions. This study addresses two main issues. Firstly, it explores Simji’s interest in Jinpyo’s teachings and his purpose or intent in inheriting the Maitreya’s Relic Ganzha within the contemporary context. In this regard, Simji actively embraced Jinpyo’s teachings with a practical and salvational approach, participating in Yeongsim’s assemblies as Jinpyo’s successor. Secondly, it examines the establishment of Donghwasa and subsequent Buddhist activities. It focuses on Simji’s return to Mt. Palgongsan after inheriting the Maitreya’s Relic Ganzha, where he ritually cast the Ganzha with mountain deities to establish Donghwasa. After founding Donghwasa, attention is drawn to Simji’s participation in the construction of King Min’s pagoda. This paper focuses on Simji’s association with Jinpyo’s teachings and highlights the battles in the Daegu region related to King Min’s demise. Thus, Simji played a crucial role in spreading Jinpyo’s teachings, which were prevalent in the Mt. Palgongsan, an important site near the royal capital. Unlike his intention to actively resolve societal issues through Jinpyo’s teachings, Simji’s role as the inheritor of the Maitreya’s Relic Ganzha led Donghwasa to become a repository of these teachings.