Sin Ton

"Shin Don" redirects here. For the TV series, see Shin Don (TV series).
In this Korean name, the family name is Sin.
Sin Don
Born21 January 1322
Yeongsan-hyeon, Gyeongsang Province, Goryeo
(present-day Yeongsan-myeon, Changnyeong County, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea)
Died21 August 1371 (aged 48)
Suju, Gyeonggi Province, Goryeo
(present-day Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea)
Cause of deathExecution
Occupations
  • Buddhist monk
  • warrior
  • politician
  • writer
  • scholar
TitleMarquis Jinpyeong
Children1
Parents
  • Sin Won-gyeong (father)
  • Lady Park (adoptive mother)
FamilyYeongsan Sin clan
Korean name
Hangul
신돈
Hanja
Revised RomanizationShin Don
McCune–ReischauerSin Ton
Courtesy name
Hangul
요공
Hanja
Revised RomanizationYogong
McCune–ReischauerYo'kong
Dharma name
Hangul
편조
Hanja
Revised RomanizationPyeonjo
McCune–ReischauerP'yŏnch'o
Art name
Hangul
청한거사
Hanja
Revised RomanizationCheonghan Geosa
McCune–ReischauerCh'ŏnghan Kŏsa

Shin Don (Korean: 신돈; 21 January 1322 – 21 August 1371)[1] was a Korean Buddhist monk and scholar during the Goryeo dynasty. His Dharma name was Pyeonjo (편조) and he became a teacher and advisor of King Gongmin.

Biography

He was a Buddhist monk with the full confidence of King Gongmin, and who tried to reform the society of Goryeo. The king judged Shin Don cleverness; in 1365, him gave him the art name Cheonghan Geosa (청한거사, 淸閑居士) and the noble title of Marquis Jinpyeong (진평후, 真平侯).

Shin Don appointed a group of new high-level officials from the Sinjin faction of the scholar-officials and drove out some people who had acquired too much power. He also promoted the setting up of the Jeonmin Byeonjeong Dogam (전민변정도감, 田民辨整都監), a government office to reform the land in 1366; thus, he was met with the opposition of the powerful old aristocratic families. While surrounded by flatterers, he didn't have any supporters. Finally, King Gongmin executed Shin Don in 1371.[citation needed]

Criticism

King Gongmin's attempt to regain the leadership of the state through the introduction of Shin Don had achieved some success. However, for this purpose, King Gongmin had almost entrusted Sin Ton with full authority, and had to face criticism for allowing Shin Don to be an equal to the monarch.[2]

In popular culture

See also

References

  1. ^ Sin Ton died on the 11th day of the 7th month of 1371 according to the lunar calendar.
  2. ^ "Sin Don".