The Operation and Characteristics of ‘Saho(師號)’ in the late Goryeo Period

Abstract

In the late Goryeo period, especially after Yuan intervention period, Goryeo’s priests had ‘Saho(a title bestowed to a priest)’ along with its own priest ranks. ‘Saho’ was used based on the addition of Buddhist name to the appellation ‘Daesa(Great Masster)’, and it was also called ‘Sasaho(賜師號)’, which means giving Saho. ‘Saja(賜紫, to be awarded a purple robe)’ or ‘Sajasamun(賜紫沙門, Samun means a Buddhist monk)’ used in the early Goryeo period and ‘Saho’ or ‘Sasaho’ in the late Goryeo period were introduced from China. So, they were at first used as the title of priests who carried out international exchanges. ‘Saja’ was used a lot in the early Goryeo period, because it was used in place of ‘Saho’ not distinguished from Daesa, which was one of the priest ranks. There were examples where priest ranks were given to foreign priests in the early Goryeo period. As priest ranks were valued in Goryeo, it was rare to use ‘Saho’ not distinguished from Daesa, which was one of the priest ranks. However, since entering Yuan intervention period, ‘Saho’ was actively used in Goryeo amid exchanges between Goryeo and Yuan. Besides, it can be understood that as ‘Saho’ was given after ‘Saja’ by China, ‘Saho’ was relatively highly valued and preferred. Most of those who held ‘Saho’ title belonged to The Yuga Sect. It can be interpreted that The Yuga Sect used ‘Saho’ actively because it contacted and exchanged with Yuan before any other religious sects. Further, the status of Goryeo’s priest ranks was weakened in the relations with Yuan, while ‘Saho’, which was used in common with Yuan, was preferred and increasingly used.