''Sosu Seowon'' is the oldest ''

seowon Seowon () were the most common educational institutions of Korea during the mid- to late Joseon Dynasty. They were private institutions, and combined the functions of a Confucian shrine and a preparatory school. In educational terms, the seowon ...

'', private

Neo-Confucian Neo-Confucianism (, often shortened to ''lǐxué'' 理學, literally "School of Principle") is a moral, ethical, and metaphysical Chinese philosophy influenced by Confucianism, and originated with Han Yu (768–824) and Li Ao (772–841) in t ...

academy in Korea which was established during the

Joseon Dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and r ...

period. It was found at the entrance of Suksusa Temple, in Sunheung-myeon,

Yeongju City Yeongju () is a city in the far north region of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea, covering 668.84 km2 with a population of 113,930 people according to the 2008 census. The city borders Bonghwa county to the east, Danyang County, Danyang co ...

Gyeongsangbuk-do North Gyeongsang Province ( ko, 경상북도, translit=Gyeongsangbuk-do, ) is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, and remained a province of Korea until the ...

South Korea. Sosu Seowon was founded by Ju Sebung (주세붕/ 1495–1554), who was serving as magistrate of Pungseong county. Sosu Seowon was one of 47 seowons that survived from the ''Seowon Abolishment'' by Heungseon Daewongun Regent in 1871. It has been well preserved retaining most of its old structures and is designated as

National Treasure of South Korea A National Treasure () is a tangible treasure, artifact, site, or building which is recognized by the South Korean government as having exceptional artistic, cultural and historical value to the country. The title is one of the eight State-designa ...

No.55

History

In 1542, during the 37th year of King Jungjong's reign (1506–44) of the

, the magistrate of Punggi County and Confucian scholar, Ju Se-bung, built Baekundong Seowon, renamed to Sosu Seowon in 1550, to honor the peaceful times of Goryeo. Also in 1550, during the reign of King Myeongjong of the Joseon Dynasty, Toegye Yi Hwang established Sosu Seowon as the first legislated private institute of Korea. During the Joseon era (1392–1910), Korean Buddhism suffered heavy persecution. Many temples were closed and the buildings repurposed. Sosu Seowon originally had been a Buddhist temple and then became a private academy.

Today

On the right of the Sosu Seowon entrance is the Okgyesu, a stream of the Nakdong River coming from Mt. Sobaek. Inside Sosu Seowon's auditorium is a 'Sosu Seowon' sign engraved by King Myeongjong. Behind the auditorium there are Jikbangjae, Ilshinjae, Hakgujae and Jirakjae. On the east side are the Seogo, the portrait of Anhyang (National Treasure No.111) painted at the end of Goryeo Dynasty, and the Munseong Tomb where the Daesungjisung King Munseon's Jeonjwado (National Treasure No.485) is enshrined.

External links

Sosu Confucian School in South Korea
{cbignore, bot=medic
Sosu Seowon Academy (built 1542 onward)Yeongju, Where Confucian Values Reside
Seowon National Treasures of South Korea North Gyeongsang Province