The Miracle of Ukmyeon: How a Lowly Slave Attained Buddhahood Before the Nobles in Silla
"In the Silla Dynasty, where the walls of social caste were higher than the sky, could a slave really enter paradise?" The Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), a renowned historical record of ancient Korea, contains countless unbelievable and dramatic legends. Among them, the 'Legend of Ukmyeon (욱면설화)' stands out as one of the most groundbreaking and touching tales that shook the rigid caste system of its time. How did a female slave of the lowest social rank surpass her wealthy noble masters—who offered lavish donations—and ascend to heaven in her living body to achieve Buddhahood? Here is the miraculous journey that continues to deliver a profound resonance even a thousand years later. 1. The Hardship-Filled Life of the Lowly Slave 'Ukmyeon' During the reign of King Gyeongdeok of Silla, a wealthy and powerful aristocrat named Gwijin (貴珍) lived in...