To Restore Independence and Freedom... 'Declaration of Oath by Patriot Lee Bong-chang' to Become a Treasure

Cultural Heritage Administration Announces Six Items Including 'Chojobon Yugasadiron Volume 66' as Treasure Candidates
'Daebanggwangbul Hwageomgyeongso Volume 88', 'Buljoyeokdaetongjae', 'Sasichanyo' and More

Commemorative Photo of Independence Activist Lee Bong-chang Joining the Korean Patriotic Organization

Six cultural properties, including ancient texts from the Goryeo and Joseon periods and modern registered cultural assets, are designated as Treasures.

On the 31st, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the preliminary designation of 'Chojobon Yogasajiron Volume 66 (初雕本 瑜伽師地論 卷六十六)', 'Daebangwangbulhwageomgyongso Volume 88 (大方廣佛華嚴經疏 卷八十八)', 'Buljo Yeokdae Tongjae (佛祖歷代通載)', 'Sasichanyo (四時纂要)', 'Sonso Jeokkaegongsin Gyoseo (孫昭 敵愾功臣敎書)', and 'Lee Bongchang Uisa Seonseo Mun (李奉昌 義士 宣誓文)' as Treasures. Opinions from various sectors will be collected for one month, and the final designation will be confirmed after review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.

Chojobon Yogacaritron - Middle Section

The Chojobon Yogasajiron Volume 66 held at the National Hangeul Museum is the only existing edition published in the 11th century. Yogasajiron is a 100-volume text translated by the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang in China. It contains sermons delivered daily by Maitreya Bodhisattva for four months. The text includes Seokdok Gugyeol (釋讀口訣), a system of annotations that translate Chinese characters into Korean for reading. The interlinear Gugyeol makes it a valuable resource for the study of the Korean language history.

The Daebangwangbulhwageomgyongso Volume 88 exhibited at Dong-A University Museum is the only known volume among the same edition. It is estimated to have been published in the 12th century. Its excellent preservation and its demonstration of Buddhist exchanges among Korea, China, and Japan make it significant. Daebangwangbulhwageomgyongso has been published since 1087, when woodblocks spread domestically. In 1424, King Sejong of Joseon gifted some Tripitaka woodblocks to Japan, which had requested them multiple times.

Buljoyeokdaetongjae

Buljo Yeokdae Tongjae, held by the Jongno Library in Seoul, is a book compiled by the Yuan Dynasty monk Yemsang that chronologically records the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha and biographies and anecdotes of eminent monks. Based on the edition republished in 1430, new woodblocks were carved in Korea. In 1472, Queen Insu prayed for the royal family's peace and longevity and published it. The book announced for designation is a complete edition with all volumes intact. Only two copies have been confirmed domestically so far. Another copy of the same edition was designated as a Treasure in November 1982.

Sasichanyo is an agricultural book compiled by Hanak in 996 during the late Tang Dynasty in China. It divides the four seasons into twelve months and describes monthly farming methods, prohibitions, and livestock breeding techniques. Early Joseon introduced it at the national level to address agricultural policies and practical issues. It was used as a reference for agricultural management until the compilation of 'Nongsajikseol' during King Sejong's reign. The edition announced for designation is estimated to have been published between 1403 and 1420, using both movable metal type called Gyemija and woodblocks produced by the Goryeo Seojeokwon. Among editions revealed in Korea, China, and Japan, it is the oldest.

Royal Decree of Sonso Jeokgaegongsin

Sonso Jeokkaegongsin Gyoseo is a commendation document granted to Sonso, a descendant of the Gyeongju Son clan who have lived in Yangdong Village, Gyeongju, for generations. The Jeokkaegongsin were meritorious subjects awarded by King Sejo in 1467 for quelling the Yi Si-ae Rebellion, totaling forty-five recipients. Commendation documents for second-rank meritorious subject Jang Malson and third-rank meritorious subject Jeong Jong have already been designated as Treasures. The document includes the recipient's name, achievements, privileges, rewards, lists of meritorious subjects by rank, issuance date, and bears a royal seal called 'Simyeong.' It retains its original form without remodeling or later repairs, giving it high value.

The Lee Bongchang Uisa Seonseo Mun is a mixed Korean-Chinese oath document written on December 13, 1931. It contains a pledge to resist Japan. "I hereby swear, as a member of the Korean Patriotic Organization, to restore the independence and freedom of the homeland by destroying the enemy nation's leader with determination. Sworn on December 13, 1931, Lee Bongchang, Korean Patriotic Organization."

Oath of Patriot Lee Bong-chang

It was submitted to the Korean Patriotic Organization founded by Kim Gu. After signing, Lee Bongchang took a commemorative photo at Ahn Gong-geun's house, holding grenades in both hands and wearing the oath document on his chest. Ahn Gong-geun was the youngest brother of Ahn Jung-geun and served as an executive of the Korean Patriotic Organization. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "This was created when Lee Bongchang joined as the first member of the Korean Patriotic Organization in 1931," and evaluated it as "a precious historical artifact proving Lee Bongchang's heroic deeds, the activities of the Korean Patriotic Organization, and the history of the anti-Japanese struggle."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Cultural Heritage Administration designated 'Bonghwa Cheongamjeong,' 'Yeongju Buseoksa Anyangru,' and 'Yeongju Buseoksa Beomjonggak' as Treasures. They plan to actively cooperate with local governments and owners to ensure systematic preservation and management in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.