Kwangjong(光宗) is a one of the famous Emperor in Koryo(高麗) dynasty. Many scholars have been studied about Kwangjong. Most studies about him researched based on Koryosa(高麗史) which is a historical book written in early Choson(朝鮮) dynasty. Although Koryosa is a important book to study about Koryo dynasty, Koryosa has paltry record about early Koryo dynasty. Because of that studying about early Koryo is very difficult.
This article was written to solve this kind of problem. To study Kwangjong period. In this paper, the interdisciplinary research was progressed. This paper used the traditional historical studies method, art historical and archeological method. In the main body, the Kwangjong period was classified into the former, the middle and the latter part.
The former part of Kwangjong period, Kwangjong build many buildings. For example, Daebongeunsa(大奉恩寺), Bulilsa(佛日寺) and Sungsunsa(崇善寺) which were huge buildings and temples for his parents. Those site excavated recently. Kwangjong wanted to show that he inherited his father’s legitimacy, because of that he built many temples.
The middle part of kwnagjong period, Kwangjong repaired and constructed many mountain castle and fortress at the central districts of Koroy. At this time, usually the threat of national security was existed at outside of Koryo. However Kwangjong repaired many fortress at middle of Koryo. In the article researched the reason. At that time, Kwangjong tried to strengthen Royal power. In order to intensify the royal authority, Kwangjong liquidated many founding contributor. Kwngjong worried about his opponents’ rebellion. He wanted to quash the rebellion if the rebellion brake out. Because of that he built and repaired many fortress and temples at the central districts of Koryo.
In this paper, the latter part of Kwangjong period was explained by two statues of the Buddha. One is the seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue in Guwneumsa(觀音寺). Kwangjong wanted to show his mercy by making this statue. Because at that time, many people thought that Kwangjong was a tyrant.
The other Buddhist image is a standing stone Buddha statue in Kwanchoksa(觀燭寺). This is a tallest Buddha image in Korea. The purpose of making this huge Buddha image was that Kwnagjong wanted to control his opponent by huge Buddha’s power. In this article show that Kwangjong identified himself with the huge Buddha image.