백용성 白龍城
Buddhist monk and independence activist (one of the 33 national representatives of the March 1st Movement)
| Life | 1864 ~ 1940 |
| Era | 근현대 |
| Clan | 수원 백씨 |
Life & career
Baek Yong-seong (白龍城, 1864-1940) was a Buddhist monk and independence activist, one of the 33 national representatives of the March 1st Movement. Born in Jukrim-ri, Beonam-myeon, Jangsu County, North Jeolla, he entered the monkhood at Haeinsa on Mt. Gayasan in 1879 at sixteen and studied both the Seon and doctrinal schools.
He and Han Yong-un were the two Buddhist signers of the Declaration of Independence, and he is said to have proposed waving the Taegeukgi. He was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. After release he campaigned to expel Japanized Buddhism, founded Daegaksa in Jongno, Seoul, and in 1929 opened the self-sufficient Hwagwawon farm in Hamyang, South Gyeongsang.
In 1921 he published the first Hangul Diamond Sutra in Korean Buddhism, and in 1928 a Hangul Avatamsaka Sutra, which the press of the day praised as something even King Sejong had not done. His writings include Susimnon, Gwiwon jeongjong and Yongseong seonsa eorok. He announced his own passing, left ten final instructions to his disciples, and entered nirvana on February 24, 1940. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation (Presidential Class) in 1962 and the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit in 1990.
March 1st and Imprisonment
As one of the Buddhist figures among the 33 representatives he was arrested after signing and served his sentence in prison. After release he continued working for Buddhist reform.
Translation and Teaching
Rendering Chinese-language sutras into Hangul for ordinary readers is counted among his lasting achievements. Fellow Suwon Baek independence activists include Baek Jeong-gi and Baek Gwan-su.
Seat Label
Korean Wikipedia's text does not state his clan seat; it appears only under the 'Suwon Baek' category, so confirmation with the clan is advisable. His place of passing and grave also could not be confirmed.
Grave
His place of passing and grave could not be confirmed. Daegaksa in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was the center of his activity.