Records of Munsuwon Temple

KOREA; Goryeo dynasty

Lee Jahyeon was a monk and scholar of the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) who is said to have attained sudden realization while reading a famous verse by Chan Master Xuefeng Yicun. Having studied under Lee Jahyeon, monk Tanyon created this stele to narrate the biography of his master. In his later years, Lee lived in seclusion in Munsuwon Temple, hence the title of the stele, as well as the inclusion of an inscription that states he “prefers the solitary of Chan.”
The calligraphic style of this piece, written in a combination of running and cursive scripts with disjointed characters, is often compared to the Preface to Sagely Teachings in Wang Xizhi’s Calligraphy written by Huairen.
Tanyon renounced when he was 19 years old and studied under National Master Hyesoin at Gwangmyeongsa Temple. Venerated by three different kings of the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392); King Yejong (reigned 1106–1122), King Sukjong (reigned 1096–1105), and King Uijong (reigned 1147–1170), Tanyon was granted the posthumous title of Great Examined National Master.