A Study on Heycho's Worldview and Identity in 『WangOcheonchukgukJeon』

Author: Cha, Kwang-ho

Page: 29-65

This study focused on the notation of the letters ‘Hyang(鄕)’ and ‘Han(漢)’ mentioned in the 『Wang-Oh-Cheon-Chuk-Guk(往五天竺國傳)』 to reveal that Hyecho(慧超), the author, is a Sinline, and to grasp his view of civilization and identity. First of all, “Hyang-ro(鄕路)” and “Hyang-guk-ro(鄕國路)”, which are mentioned in the poems written by Hyecho, are interpreted as “Road to Silla” and “Road to Silla Kingdom” ‘Hyang(鄕)’ here means Silla. Next, Hyecho excluded the names of countries such as ‘Silla’ or ‘Tang(唐)’ from the 『Wang-Oh-cheon-Chukguk』 as much as possible and used terms such as ‘Hyang(鄕)’ or ‘Han (漢)’ instead. ‘Hyang(鄕)’ and ‘Han(漢)’ are terms that reflect his identity and worldview. ‘Hyang(鄕)’, which means Hyecho's home country, Silla, is a concept that evokes nostalgia. In contrast, ‘Han(漢)’ is a concept that symbolizes the civilized rights of East Asia to which Hyecho belongs. It is also a term that is opposed to ‘cheon-Chuk(天竺)’, which means the civilized rights of India.​