THE ROLE OF THE BUDDHIST TEMPLES OF KAEKYONG, THE CAPITAL OF THE KORYO DYNASTY, AS CITY RULING APPARATUS OF GOVERNMENTAL POWER

Abstract

This paper is to clarify on the characteristic of Kaegyong , the capital of the Koryo dynasty, by the role of the buddhist temples of Kaegyong as city ruling apparatus of governmental power. Based on a close study of historical records^ the role of the temple is shown to have extended to acting as a palace, a national religious service institution, a government officeN and as military facilities. These expended roles enabled the buddhist temples of Kaegyong to be the key institution of the national government rather than the simple religious one. The reformulation of the role of the temples of Kaegyong as an institution of government seems to be helpful for clarifying the character of Kaegyong as capital of Koryo.