Queen Munjeong
Encyclopedia
Queen Munjeong (1 February 1502 - 29 December 1565) was the wife of King Jungjong
of Joseon
.
She was of the Papyeong Yun clan. She was regent for her son King Myeongjong
when he was still too young to rule by himself until 1565. Known as a good administrator, she continued to rule even after he reached the age of majority. She gave out the land to common people that had been formerly owned by the nobility. It was only after her death that her son took over power.
She was given the posthumous title Seongryeol Inmyeong Munjong Wanghu (성렬인명문정왕후, 聖烈仁明文定王后).
, after decades of polite indifference (in reality behind-the-scenes hatred).
As Injong went to pay his morning respects, Munjeong’s face started radiating with a smile only a mother could give to her child. Injong took it as a sign that the Queen Mother was finally acknowledging him as the king, and in particular as her own son. He ate the ddeok that his step-mother gave him, not knowing that it would be the beginning of the end. He fell ill slowly, not enough to create any suspicion, but quickly enough that historians would later pick up on the event. Three days passed before Injong mysteriously died (after only 9 months of rule).
Queen Munjong’s son became King Myeongjong
, while Munjeong became Queen Regent. The chronicles also tell that Munjeong was frequently visited by spirits at night after Injong’s death. So disturbed was she that she moved her residence from Gyeongbok Palace
to Changdeok Palace
.
Two proofs of her strong support of Buddhism still exist.
The massive commission involved 100 scrolls on each of 4 triads:
In each set of 100, 50 were executed in colors and gold, the other 50 in gold only.
As of 2009, only 6 of the commissioned 400 are still extant.
Bongeun-sa was established in 794 by Ven. Yeon-hoe, and was originally called Gyeonseong-sa. It was rebuilt in 1498 (by Munjeong's patronage) and renamed Bongeun-sa; in 1562 it was moved about 1 km to its current location and rebuilt. Its fate will be destruction by fire (1592 and 1637) and repetitive rebuilding and renovations (1637, 1692, 1912, 1941, and 1981). A three-story stone stupa enshrines the Sari of Sakyamuni Buddha, brought from Sri Lanka in 1975.
The temple fell into decline during the late Goryeo era, but was reconstructed in 1498. Before the reconstruction, Buddhism fell under severe state-imposed oppression as the government maintained Neo-Confucianism as the sole state ideal. With Munjeong's strong support for the re-awakening of Buddhism, she reconstructed Bongeun-sa and it was to become a cornerstone for early-Joseon Buddhist revival.
Ven. Bo-woo played a key role at this critical period, having being assigned as the Chief Monk of Bongeun-sa in 1548. He revived an official system of training and selecting monks in both the Seon (meditation) and Gyo (doctrinal, scholastic) sects of Korean Buddhism. In 1551, Bongeun-sa became the main temple of the Jogye Seon Order, then soon became the main base for the overall restoration of Korean Buddhism. This revived training system produced such illustrious monks as Ven. Seo-san, Ven. Sa-myeong, and Ven. Byeok-am. However, after Munjeong died, Ven. Bo-woo was killed by anti-Buddhist officials.
Jungjong of Joseon
Jungjong of Joseon , born Yi Yeok, ruled during the 16th century in what is now Korea. He succeeded his half-brother, Yeonsangun, because of the latter's tyranical misrule, which culminated in a coup placing Jungjong on the throne.-Jo Gwang-jo's reforms:On the day Yeonsangun was deposed, soldiers...
of Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
.
She was of the Papyeong Yun clan. She was regent for her son King Myeongjong
Myeongjong of Joseon
King Myeongjong was the 13th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of Jungjong, and his mother was Queen Munjeong, who was Jungjong's third queen....
when he was still too young to rule by himself until 1565. Known as a good administrator, she continued to rule even after he reached the age of majority. She gave out the land to common people that had been formerly owned by the nobility. It was only after her death that her son took over power.
She was given the posthumous title Seongryeol Inmyeong Munjong Wanghu (성렬인명문정왕후, 聖烈仁明文定王后).
Rise to Power
According to unofficial chronicles, there is a tale of Munjeong finally showing love for her "adoptive" son King InjongInjong of Joseon
King Injong of Joseon was the 12th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. His father was King Jungjong, and his mother was Queen Janggyeong, whose brother was Yun Im...
, after decades of polite indifference (in reality behind-the-scenes hatred).
As Injong went to pay his morning respects, Munjeong’s face started radiating with a smile only a mother could give to her child. Injong took it as a sign that the Queen Mother was finally acknowledging him as the king, and in particular as her own son. He ate the ddeok that his step-mother gave him, not knowing that it would be the beginning of the end. He fell ill slowly, not enough to create any suspicion, but quickly enough that historians would later pick up on the event. Three days passed before Injong mysteriously died (after only 9 months of rule).
Queen Munjong’s son became King Myeongjong
Myeongjong of Joseon
King Myeongjong was the 13th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of Jungjong, and his mother was Queen Munjeong, who was Jungjong's third queen....
, while Munjeong became Queen Regent. The chronicles also tell that Munjeong was frequently visited by spirits at night after Injong’s death. So disturbed was she that she moved her residence from Gyeongbok Palace
Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung, also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, is a royal palace located in northern Seoul, South Korea. First constructed in 1394 and reconstructed in 1867, it was the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty...
to Changdeok Palace
Changdeokgung
Changdeokgung, also known as Changdeokgung Palace or Changdeok Palace, is set within a large park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Because of its location east of Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung, with Changgyeonggung,...
.
Resurgence of Buddhism
Munjeong was the most influential supporter of Buddhism during the early dynasty; indeed, she lifted the official ban on Buddhist worship and instigated an impressive resurgence of Buddhim.Two proofs of her strong support of Buddhism still exist.
Buddhist Paintings
During the time her son (the Royal Prince) fell ill, and at the same time her failure to produce another son, her concerns motivated her to order 400 Buddhist artworks (50 of which are in supplication for the recovery of the Royal Prince and the birth of another son). Also, the aim of the commission was to commemorate the opening of Hoeam Temple. The project was started in 1563 and was completed 2 years later. Unfortunately, the Royal Prince died before the commission's completion.The massive commission involved 100 scrolls on each of 4 triads:
- The Historical BuddhaGautama BuddhaSiddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
Triad (Sanskrit: शाक्यमुनि Śākyamuni; Korean: 석가모니/석가 seokgamoni/seokga) - The Buddha of the Western ParadiseAmitabhaAmitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
Triad (अमिताभ Amitābha; 아미타불 amitabul) - The Buddha of the FutureMaitreyaMaitreya , Metteyya , or Jampa , is foretold as a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he or she is referred to as Ajita Bodhisattva.Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on...
Triad (मैत्रेय Maitreya; 미륵보살 mireukbosal) - The Medicine BuddhaBhaisajyaguruBhaiṣajyaguru , formally Bhaiṣajyaguruvaidūryaprabharāja , is the buddha of healing and medicine in Mahāyāna Buddhism. Commonly referred to as the "Medicine Buddha", he is described as a doctor who cures suffering using the medicine of his teachings.-Origin:...
Triad (भैषज्यगुरु Bhaiṣajyaguru; 약사여래/약사불 yaksayeorae/yaksabul)
In each set of 100, 50 were executed in colors and gold, the other 50 in gold only.
As of 2009, only 6 of the commissioned 400 are still extant.
- 1 painting in the Sakyamuni Triad - made in 1565, formerly belonging to the Hoeam Temple, discovered in Japan (in excellent condition), and purchased and kept by the Mary Jackson Burke Collection in 1990 in New York. The painting is considered by experts in the field and in the Buddhist community to be one of the most important and representative Buddhist artworks produced during the Dynasty.
- 1 painting in the Bhaisajyaguru Triad - currently on display at the National Museum of KoreaNational Museum of KoreaThe National Museum of Korea is the flagship museum of Korean history and art in South Korea and is the cultural organization that represents Korea...
. - 4 paintings are in Japan.
- 1 painting in the Sakyamuni Triad
- 3 paintings in the Bhaisajyaguru Triad
Buddhist temples
Buddhist temples served as another proof of Munjeong's zealous aim of the revival of Buddhism. The cornerstone of the revival of Buddhism is the Bongeun-sa Temple (a major center of Zen Buddhism).Bongeun-sa was established in 794 by Ven. Yeon-hoe, and was originally called Gyeonseong-sa. It was rebuilt in 1498 (by Munjeong's patronage) and renamed Bongeun-sa; in 1562 it was moved about 1 km to its current location and rebuilt. Its fate will be destruction by fire (1592 and 1637) and repetitive rebuilding and renovations (1637, 1692, 1912, 1941, and 1981). A three-story stone stupa enshrines the Sari of Sakyamuni Buddha, brought from Sri Lanka in 1975.
The temple fell into decline during the late Goryeo era, but was reconstructed in 1498. Before the reconstruction, Buddhism fell under severe state-imposed oppression as the government maintained Neo-Confucianism as the sole state ideal. With Munjeong's strong support for the re-awakening of Buddhism, she reconstructed Bongeun-sa and it was to become a cornerstone for early-Joseon Buddhist revival.
Ven. Bo-woo played a key role at this critical period, having being assigned as the Chief Monk of Bongeun-sa in 1548. He revived an official system of training and selecting monks in both the Seon (meditation) and Gyo (doctrinal, scholastic) sects of Korean Buddhism. In 1551, Bongeun-sa became the main temple of the Jogye Seon Order, then soon became the main base for the overall restoration of Korean Buddhism. This revived training system produced such illustrious monks as Ven. Seo-san, Ven. Sa-myeong, and Ven. Byeok-am. However, after Munjeong died, Ven. Bo-woo was killed by anti-Buddhist officials.
Family
- Husband: King Jungjong of JoseonJungjong of JoseonJungjong of Joseon , born Yi Yeok, ruled during the 16th century in what is now Korea. He succeeded his half-brother, Yeonsangun, because of the latter's tyranical misrule, which culminated in a coup placing Jungjong on the throne.-Jo Gwang-jo's reforms:On the day Yeonsangun was deposed, soldiers...
- Issue:
- Grand Prince Gyeongwon (Hangul: 경원대군), later King Myeongjong of JoseonMyeongjong of JoseonKing Myeongjong was the 13th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of Jungjong, and his mother was Queen Munjeong, who was Jungjong's third queen....
- Princess Uihye (Hangul: 의혜공주, Hanja: 懿惠公主)
- Princess Hyosun (Hangul: 효순공주, Hanja: 孝順公主)
- Princess Gyeonghyeon (Hangul: 경현공주, Hanja: 敬顯公主)
- Princess Insun (Hangul: 인순공주, Hanja: 仁順公主), died young
Ancestors
- Great-Great-Great-Grandfather: Yun Beon (Hangul: 윤번, Hanja: 尹璠) (1384–1448), Prime Minister during the reign of King Sejo of JoseonSejo of JoseonSejo of Joseon was the seventh king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He produced a coup d'etat and became king himself in 1455.-Reign:...
- Great-Great-Great-Grandmother: Lady Lee (Hangul: 이씨, Hanja: 李氏)
- Great-Great-Grandfather: Yun Saheun (Hangul: 윤사흔, Hanja: 尹士昕) (1422–1485), brother to Queen Jeonghui
- Great-Grandfather: Yun Gye-gyeom (Hangul: 윤계겸, Hanja: 尹繼謙) (1442–1483)
- Grandfather: Yun Uk (Hangul: 성욱, Hanja: 尹頊) (1459–1485)
- Grandmother: Lady Jeong, of the Yeongil Jeong clan (Hangul: 영일 정씨, Hanja: 迎日 鄭氏)
- Father: Yoon Ji-im (Hangul: 윤지임, Hanja: 尹之任) (1475–1534), The Internal Prince Pasan (파산부원군)
- Mother: Lady Lee, of the Jeonui Lee clan (Hangul: 이씨, Hanja: 全義 李氏) (1475–1511), The Internal Princess Consort Jeonseong (전성부부인 이씨)
Siblings
- Brothers
- Yun Won-gae (Hangul: 윤원개, Hanja: 尹元凱)
- Yun Won-ryang (Hangul: 윤원량, Hanja: 尹元亮) (1495–1569)
- Yun Won-pil (Hangul: 윤원필, Hanja: 尹元弼)
- Yoon Won-ro (Hangul: 윤원로, Hanja: 尹元老) (died 1547)
- Yoon Won-hyeong (Hangul: 윤원형, Hanja: 尹元衡) (1509–1567)
- Known sister-in-laws
- Lady Jang (장씨), wife of Yoon Won-ryang
- Lady Kim (김씨 부인, ?-1551), 1st Wife of Yoon Won-hyeong
- Jeong Nan-jeong (정난정, ?-1565), Lady Jeonggyeong (정경부인), 2nd Wife of Yoon Won-hyeong, bore him one son: Yun Chung-won (Hangul: 윤충원, Hanja: 尹忠源)
Actresses who have portrayed Queen Munjeong
- Kim Hye-ja - 1985 - Episode 4 (The Wind Orchid) of The 500 Years of the Joseon Dynasty
- Jeon In-hwa - 2001 - Woman of the World
- Park Jeong-sook - 2003 - Dae Jang-geumDae Jang GeumDae Jang Geum is a 2003 epic South Korean television series directed by Lee Byung Hoon and produced by MBC. Starring Lee Young Ae, it tells the tale of an orphaned kitchen cook who went on to become the king's first female physician...
- Lee Deok-hui - 2008 - Hometown of Legends
See also
- Jungjong of JoseonJungjong of JoseonJungjong of Joseon , born Yi Yeok, ruled during the 16th century in what is now Korea. He succeeded his half-brother, Yeonsangun, because of the latter's tyranical misrule, which culminated in a coup placing Jungjong on the throne.-Jo Gwang-jo's reforms:On the day Yeonsangun was deposed, soldiers...
- Myeongjong of JoseonMyeongjong of JoseonKing Myeongjong was the 13th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of Jungjong, and his mother was Queen Munjeong, who was Jungjong's third queen....
- Yun Won-hyeong
- Korean BuddhismKorean BuddhismKorean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what it sees as inconsistencies in Mahayana Buddhism. Early Korean monks believed that the traditions they received from foreign countries were internally inconsistent. To address this, they developed a new...