The Structuring of Sacredness as Evident in the Composition of Samguk Yusa

This article aims to provide a broad perspective on the structure, composition, and significance of the compilation of the "Samguk Yusa." Yi Yeon (Iryeon) named the first section "Giy" (紀異), emphasizing that both Korea’s and China's founding mythological ancestors are described as originating from "something divine and extraordinary" (皆發乎神異). In contemporary terms, this section reveals transcendental powers and actions beyond everyday experience, serving as a guiding light for the direction of ordinary life. The term "sacred" (성스러움) is presented as a concept that consistently underpins the understanding of the "Giy" section, indicating that these stories portray the divine as a source of inspiration and guidance. The records of legends in the "Giy" section mostly relate to historical events, indicating a blend of history and myth. These stories are not solely about factual history but also aim to transcend the simple dichotomy of truth and falsehood. For example, in the case of Gaozun (Gojoseon), the visible historical outcomes are believed to be the results of unseen divine forces, such as Hwanin, Ungnyeo, and Dangun. These divine entities, representing transcendental powers, are thought to manifest in historical reality—a worldview that affirms the divine acting through history. This perspective can be seen as a response to a rationalistic worldview that perceives historical phenomena purely as cause-and-effect phenomena. The subsequent four sections can be summarized as follows: Hungbeop (흥법) section - Introduction of sacred religion (Buddhism); Tapsang (탑상) section - Sacred objects like pagodas and statues; Eui (이, 의혀) and Sinju (신주) sections - Sacred monks and venerable masters. To ordinary people, all of these are considered sacred objects: Buddhism as a sacred religion in the case of "Hungbeop," pagodas and statues as sacred symbols of Buddhism in "Tapsang," and monks as seekers of sacred Buddha nature. The phrase "taking refuge in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha)" expresses that these monks serve as vessels of the sacred through their faith. The sections "< Gamtong >," "< Pi-eun >," and "< Hyoseon >" are summarized as follows: Gamtong (감통) section - People seeking sacredness; Pi-eun (피은) section - Preconditions for seeking sacredness, renunciation of worldly attachments; Hyoseon (효선) (filial piety and virtue) section - The relationship between sacredness and the mundane world. These stories depict individuals pursuing and exploring sacredness, highlighting ongoing questions regarding enlightenment and practical action. Recognizing transcendent divine worlds and enacting the enlightenment through practice form the spiritual course that "Samguk Yusa" exemplifies. The ultimate goal is to transcend the present life with a realization of transcendence and universality, aligning this understanding with their immediate reality and unique circumstances. The idea of "divinity" (신이함) involves more than just miraculous or mysterious events; it signifies that there are reasons behind the movement of history—these are not mere happenstances but relationships between human agency and transcendental forces underlying history. Miracles or extraordinary phenomena are manifestations of this divine agency. This way of thinking aligns with the real-world situation faced by Yi Yeon himself. As a monk and a Koryeo individual under the influence of Mongolian rule, he sought eternal truth beyond time, while also needing his nation to flourish and break free from colonial oppression. Just as unseen forces influenced the course of the Three Kingdoms' history, such forces were also at work in his own era. Here, two contrasting elements—transcendental, eternal sacredness and the immediacy of present life—are fused. Pursuing this sense of sacredness, with its divine power, becomes the path to solving life’s immediate problems. That divine power of sacredness offers salvation.