Notes

Wang Kŏn: Ten Injunctions
I have heard that when great Shun was cultivating at Li-stan he inherited
the throne from Yao. Emperor Kao-tsu of China rose from humble origins
and founded the Han. I too have risen from humble origins and received
undeserved support for the throne. In summer I did not shun the heat and
in winter did not avoid the cold. After toiling, body and mind, for nineteen
years I united the Three Han [Later Three Kingdoms] and have held the
throne for twenty-five years. Now I am old. I only fear that my successors
will give way to their passions and greed and destroy the principle of government.
That would be truly worrisome. I therefore wrote these injunctions
to be passed on to later ages. They should be read morning and night
and forever used as a mirror of reflection.
His injunctions were as follows:
1. The success of every great undertaking of our state depends upon the
favor and protection of Buddha. Therefore, the temples of both the
Meditation and Doctrinal schools should be built and monks should
be sent out to those temples to minister to Buddha. Later on, if villainous
courtiers attain power and come to be influenced by the entreaties
of bonzes, the temples of various schools will quarrel and struggle
among themselves for gain. This ought to be prevented.
2. Temples and monasteries were newly opened and built upon the sites
chosen by the monk Tosŏn according to the principles of geomancy.
He said: “If temples and monasteries are indiscriminately built at locations
not chosen by me, the terrestrial force and energy will be sapped
and damaged, hastening the decline of the dynasty.” I am greatly
concerned that the royal family, the aristocracy, and the courtiers all
may build many temples and monasteries in the future in order to seek
Buddha’s blessings. In the last days of Silla many temples were capriciously
built. As a result, the terrestrial force and energy were wasted
and diminished, causing its demise. Vigilantly guard against this.
3. In matters of royal succession, succession by the eldest legitimate royal
issue should be the rule. But Yao of ancient China let Shun succeed
him because his own was unworthy. That was indeed putting the
interests of the state ahead of one’s personal feelings. Therefore, if the
eldest is not worthy of the crown, let the second eldest succeed to the
throne. If the second eldest, too, is unworthy, choose the brother the
people consider the best qualified for the throne.
4. In the past we have always had a deep attachment for the ways of
China and all of our institutions have been modeled upon those of
T’ang. But our country occupies a different geographical location and
our people’s character is different from that of the Chinese. Hence,
there is no reason to strain ourselves unreasonably to copy the Chinese
way. Khitan is a nation of savage beasts, and its language and customs
are also different. Its dress and institutions should never be copied.
5. I achieved the great task of founding the dynasty with the help of the
elements of mountain and river of our country. The Western Capital,
Pyongyang, has the elements of water in its favor and is the source
of the terrestrial force of our country. It is thus the veritable center of
dynastic enterprises for ten thousand generations. Therefore, make a
royal visit to the Western Capital four times a year—in the second,
fifth, eighth, and eleventh months—and reside there a total of more
than one hundred days. By this means secure peace and prosperity.
6. I deem the two festivals of Yŏndŏng and P’algwan of great spiritual
value and importance. The first is to worship Buddha. The second
is to worship the spirit of Heaven, the spirits of the five sacred and
other major mountains and rivers, and the dragon god. At some
future time, villainous courtiers may propose the abandonment or
modification of these festivals. No change should be allowed.
7. It is very difficult for the king to win over the people. For this reason,
give heed to sincere criticism and banish those with slanderous
tongues. If sincere criticisms are accepted, there will be virtuous and
sagacious kings. Though sweet as honey, slanderous words should
not be believed; then they will cease of their own accord. Make use
of the people’s labor with their convenience in mind; lighten the
burden of corvée and taxation; learn the difficulties of agricultural
production. Then it will be possible to win the hearts of the people
and to bring peace and prosperity to the land. Men of yore said that
under tempting bait a fish hangs; under a generous reward an able
general wins a victory; under a drawn bow a bird dares not fly; and
under a virtuous benevolent rule a loyal people serves faithfully. If
you administer rewards and punishments moderately, the interplay
of yin and yang will be harmonious.
8. The topographic features of the territory south of Kongju and beyond
the Kongju River are all treacherous and disharmonious; its inhabitants
are treacherous and disharmonious as well. For this reason, if
they are allowed to participate in the affairs of state, to intermarry
with the royal family, aristocracy, and royal relatives, and to take the
power of the state, they might imperil the state and injure the royal
safety—grudging the loss of their own state [which used to be the
kingdom of Paekche] and being resentful of the unification.
9. Those who have been slaves or engaged in dishonorable trades
will surrender to the powerful in order to evade prescribed services.
And some of them will surely seek to offer their services to
the noble families, to the palaces, or to the temples. They then will
cause confusion and disorder in government and engage in treason
through crafty words and treacherous machinations. They should
never be allowed into government service, though they may no
longer be slaves and outcasts.
10. The salaries and allowance for the aristocracy and the bureaucracy
have been set according to the needs of the state. They should not
be increased or diminished. The classics say the salaries and allowance
should be determined by the merits of those who receive them
and should not be wasted for private gain. If the public treasure is
wasted upon those without merit or upon one’s relatives or friends,
not only will the people come to resent and criticize such abuses, but
those who enjoy salaries undeservedly will also not be able to enjoy
them for long. Since our country shares borders with savage nations,
always beware of the danger of invasions. Treat the soldiers kindly
and take good care of them; lighten their burden of forced labor; inspect
them every autumn; give honors and promotions to the brave.
11. In preserving a household or a state, one should always be on guard
to avert mistakes. Read widely in the classics and in history; take the
past as a warning for the present. The Duke of Chou was a great sage,
yet he sought to admonish his nephew, King Cheng, with Against
Luxurious Ease (Wu-i). Post the contents of Against Luxurious Ease on
the wall and reflect upon them when entering and leaving the room.