Book II 199*
The Board of Rites spoke to the king: “The Daoist constellation rites
(ch’oje)^55 has its virtue in simplicity and solemnity and therefore should be
performed with devotion and deference. However, in the preceding dynasty,
there were many Daoist temples scattered around the country, and thus they
failed to produce desired effects. We request that all the Daoist temples,
including the Temple of Original Happiness (Pogwŏn’gung),^56 the Sanctuary
of Godly Investigation (Sin’gyŏkchŏn), the Hall of the Nine Luminaries
(Kuyodang), the Bureau of Burning Money (Sojŏnsaek), the Temple of
Clarity (T’aech’ŏnggwan), and the Sanctuary of Purification and Obeisance
to the Constellations (Ch’ŏnggye Paesŏngso), and so forth, all be abolished,
except only one, the Doaist Temple of Brilliant Rectification (Sogyŏkchŏn).^57
The king followed the opinion.
2nd Day (Kimyo)
The king appointed Hwang Hŭisŏk chief military commissioner (to chinmu)
of the Righteousness Flourishing Capital Guard Commands, and Cho Ki
senior commissioner (sang chinmu).3rd Day (Kyŏngjin)
There was a ring around the sun.- Daoism was first introduced to Koguryŏ, but the Daoist worship of constellations actu-
ally began in the Koryŏ period. According to the History of Korean Daoism by Yi Nŭnghwa,
“Under King Yejong (1105–1122), Song Daoism was introduced and the image of the Celestial
Deity (Ch’ŏnjonsang) was installed in an offering to the Moon on an altar in the Okch’ok
Pavilion. At the time, Daoist priests were assigned to reside in the Temple of Original
Happiness. Thereafter, various Daoist liturgical terms and ceremonial activities appeared,
including sacrificial offerings to the Great One, the Birth Star, the Northern Dipper, the
Aspiration to Longevity as well as the Three Primes.” (Trans. by unknown translator) - It was constructed during the reign of King Yejong (1105–1122 AD) at the instance of
a Daoist expert named Yi Chungyak. - During the Chosŏn dynasty, the name was changed from Sogyŏkchŏn to Sogyŏksŏ,
which implied a downgrading of the temple’s status. The temple was eventually abolished
sometime during the reign of King Chungjong (1506–1544 AD) due to objections made by the
Confucian literati.