Sin Don


Shin Don was a Korean Buddhist monk and scholar during the Goryeo Dynasty; His Dharma name was Pyeonjo and he became Teacher and advisor to Gongmin of Goryeo.

Summary

He was a Buddhist monk. He had the full confidence of King Gongmin, and he tried to reform the society of Goryeo. King Gongmin judged Shin Don clever. In 1365, King Gongmin gave him the nickname "Cheonghan Geosa" and the noble title Jinpyeonghu
He appointed a shinjin sadaebu with an air of freshness and drove out some people who had acquired power. Also, he promoted setting up the Jeonmin Byeonjeong Dogam, a kind of government office to reform the land and nation in 1366. Thus, he was met with opposition by some powerful families. While surrounded by flatterers, he didn't have any supporters. Finally King Gongmin executed him in 1371.

Criticism

King Gongmin's attempt to regain the leadership of the state through the introduction of the Sin Don has achieved some success. However, for this purpose, King Kongun had almost entrusted Sin Don with full authority, and had to face criticism by making a lame political operation allowing Sin Don to do an equal example with the king.

In popular culture