Beopheung of Silla

Beopheung of Silla (r. 514–540 AD) was the 23rd monarch of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He was preceded by King Jijeung (r. 500–514) and succeeded by King Jinheung.

By the time of his reign, Buddhism had become fairly common in Silla, as it had been introduced much earlier by Goguryeo monks during King Nulji's reign. One of King Beopheung's ministers, a man named Ichadon, was a Buddhist convert who had even shaved his head and took the tonsure. He constantly implored the king to adopt Buddhism as the state religion, and in fact King Beopheung himself had become fond of Buddha's teachings. However, the other ministers of Silla were greatly opposed to this, and expressed such defiance to the king. Beopheung, having been persuaded by his ministers, was at a crossroads, and encountered great reluctance to change. At this time, Ichadon suggested his own martyrdom and pleaded with the king to execute him in public for the cause of Buddhism. This the king refused to do, and so Ichadon deliberately insulted the ministers of the kingdom, thus provoking the anger of the king. In the end, Ichadon was executed in public, but before his head was cut off, he stated that the blood spilled from his body would not be red but milky white. According to the Samguk Yusa, his predictions proved correct, and Ichadon's milky blood horrified the ministers of the kingdom. As a result of Ichadon's martyrdom, King Beopheung finally chose Buddhism as the state religion. However, true Buddhist freedom in Silla would not begin until the reign of King Jinheung.

Beopheung sent a tribute mission to the Emperor Wu of Liang in 523. This envoy visited Liang China with the help of Baekje. In this tribute, Baekje represents Silla as a subordinate to Baekje. However, Silla acknowledges this because Baekje is needed to guard against Goguryeo and Japan.

Family

 * Father: Jijeung of Silla (437–514) (r. 500–514)
 * Mother: Queen Yeonje of the Park Clan
 * Wife:
 * Queen Kim of the Kim clan, daughter of Soji of Silla
 * Daughter: Queen Jiso (? – 574) married Galmunwang Ipjong
 * Grandson: Jinheung of Silla
 * Grandson: General Mijinbu (미진부; 525–548), 2nd Pungwolju
 * Concubine: Princess Okjin of the Gyeongju Kim clan, daughter of Wi Hwarang , 1st Pungwolju
 * Son: Prince Kim Bidae-jeon
 * Son: Prince Kim Morang, 3rd Pungwolju
 * Concubine: Princess Bogwa, of the Buyeo clan , daughter of Dongseong of Baekje
 * Daughter: Princess Nammo

Popular Culture

 * Portrayed by Park Geun-Hyung in the 1987 KBS1 TV series Ichadon