Almost every weekend, the campus bustles with guests at traditional
wedding ceremonies that are held in the grounds of the hall
just inside the main gate. Drawn by the serene atmosphere, the
wedding guests step into the old campus, soon forgetting that
they are still in the city. They mingle with the tourists, who
stand in awe of the beauty of the traditional architecture.
What draws the visitors's attention first are two giant ginkgo
trees (Natural Monument No. 59) planted in 1519 by Yun Tak,
and the president of Old Sungkyunkwan. Ginkgo trees have a symbolic
meaning in Confucianism because Confucius is said to have loved
reading, pondering, and teaching his disciples under a ginkgo
tree.
The time-honored campus, most parts of which are designated
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as National Treasures, is now a famous tourist spot. Traditionally,
all Old Sungkyunkwan students stayed in dormitories called Dongjae
and Seojae (meaning East Hall and West Hall respectively). A
voluntary student organization set up the rules to govern the
life of students. Though the rules were stringent and did not
even permit any game playing, student life at Old Sungkyunkwan
was never stiff or boring: the basic six courses were music,
archery, horsemanship, mathematics, the Confucian classics,
and etiquette. The dormitories incorporated such amenities as
medical facilities. The students' schedule was controlled by
the signal of a large drum, as in a monastery. The buildings
are now home to distinguished students of Confucian Studies.
Those selected to live there are granted full scholarships and
consider that a great honor to live and study in the historic
buildings.
To the north of Dongjae and Seojae stands Myeongnyundang, the
main lecture hall. Each early morning, when the sound of the
drum signaling the beginning of the day, students used to prostrate
themselves once before entering the hall to receive a lecture
on Confucian teaching. Visitors can appreciate the traditional
architecture of the building, which consists of a middle hall
and two wings.
Located in the west of Myeongnyundang, Bicheondang was built
in 1664. The name Bicheondang implies 'enlightening the great
way,' cited from the famous Confucianist Chu Xi. This building,
as well as Myeongnyundang, was a site for the state examination.
The present building was reconstructed in 1988 on the site of
the original, which burned down during the Korean War (1950
-1953). Jongyeonggak was built in 1475 as the first library
of its kind in Korea. As the meaning of the name (to revere
the classics highly) implies, the volumes housed in the library
were exclusively Confucian books. During the Japanese occupation,
most of the books were taken to the library of Gyeongseong Imperial
University (the predecessor of Seoul National University), and
remaining books were moved to the Central Library of the University
after the completion of the new campus in 1953.
The largest building on the old campus is Daeseongjeon, where
the memorial tablets of Confucius and his followers are enshrined.
The calligraphy on the board over the gate is the work of Seokbong
Han Ho, one of the greatest calligraphers in the Joseon Dynasty.
Originally built in 1398, this building burned down during the
invasion of 1592 and was rebuilt in 1602. The shrine is an excellent
example of the architecture of the time. The Seokjeonjae, a
ritual memorializing Confucius, is still observed here twice
a year, in the second and eighth months of the lunar calendar.
Hamabi (dismounting point) and Haryundae (parking place for sedan
chairs) in the front of the campus indicate that the Old Sungkyunkwan
was a sacred place. Even members of the royal family had to
show their respect by dismounting and walking as they entered
the campus. Historically the president of Old Sungkyunkwan officiated
at the Confucius memorial service, at which the king was always
present. Because the king was merely a disciple before Confucius,
he took off his royal robes and put on plain clothes before
he stepped into the courtyard of the Confucian Shrine.
Today, the University is respected as a guardian of the rich
traditions of Korea. In the '97 Winter Universiade, the Sacred
Torch was lit in the Amsadong prehistoric remains, a site of
early Korean times, and then taken to Old Sungkyunkwan amid
a gala festival before being delivered to Muju, the main venue
of the games. Fifty million Korean people shared the joyful
and symbolic moment with youths from all over the world who
gathered under the sacred flame. Under its light there exists
no boundaries, only human beings.
Pursue Truth and Embody Social Justice
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Copyright
SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY. All Rights reserved.  
Humanities and Social Sciences Campus : 53 Myeongnyun-dong 3-ga, Jongno-gu,
Seoul 110-745, Korea
Natural Sciences Campus : 300 Cheoncheon-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do
440-746, Korea |
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