Sin Ton

Sin Ton (Korean: 신돈; 21 January 1322 – 21 August 1371)[1] was a Korean Buddhist monk and scholar during the Goryeo dynasty. His Dharma name was Pyeonjo (편조) and he became a teacher and advisor of King Gongmin.

Sin Ton
Born21 January 1322
Died21 August 1371 (aged 48)
Cause of deathExecution
Occupations
  • Buddhist monk
  • warrior
  • politician
  • writer
  • scholar
TitleMarquis Jinpyeong
Children1
Parents
  • Sin Won-gyeong (father)
  • Lady Park (adoptive mother)
FamilyYeongsan Sin clan
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationSin Don
McCune–ReischauerSin Ton
Courtesy name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationYogong
McCune–ReischauerYo'kong
Dharma name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationPyeonjo
McCune–ReischauerP'yŏnch'o
Art name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationCheonghan Geosa
McCune–ReischauerCh'ŏnghan Kŏsa

Biography

He was a Buddhist monk with the full confidence of King Gongmin, and who tried to reform the society of Goryeo. The king judged Sin Ton clever; in 1365, him gave him the art name Cheonghan Geosa (청한거사, 淸閑居士) and the noble title of Marquis Jinpyeong (진평후, 真平侯).

Sin Ton appointed a group of new high-level officials from the Sinjin faction of the scholar-officials and drove out some people who had acquired too much power. He also promoted the setting up of the Jeonmin Byeonjeong Dogam (전민변정도감, 田民辨整都監), a government office to reform the land in 1366; thus, he was met with the opposition of the powerful old aristocratic families. While surrounded by flatterers, he didn't have any supporters. Finally, King Gongmin executed Sin Ton in 1371.

Criticism

King Gongmin's attempt to regain the leadership of the state through the introduction of Sin Ton had achieved some success. However, for this purpose, King Gongmin had almost entrusted Sin Ton with full authority, and had to face criticism for allowing Sin Ton to be an equal to the monarch.[2]

See also

References

  1. Sin Ton died on the 11th day of the 7th month of 1371 according to the lunar calendar.
  2. "Sin Don".


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