Gakhun Compiles the Haedong goseungjeon

The monk Gakhun, by order of King Gojong, wrote the Haedong goseungjeon, biographies of eminent monks of the Three Kingdoms.

A Buddhist history compiled by royal order during the military regime, it traces the arrival and spread of Buddhism in the Three Kingdoms through the lives of eminent monks. Only the first two volumes (on transmission) survive, covering Sundo, who brought Buddhism to Goguryeo, Marananta in Baekje, Ado in Silla, the recognition of Buddhism under King Beopheung and Ichadon, and Wongwang among others.

It supplements the Buddhist side of history that Kim Bu-sik’s Samguk sagi (1145) left out, and together with Iryeon’s later Samguk yusa is a precious source on Three Kingdoms Buddhism.