Letter to the Hwanghae Governor移黃海道巡察使文
兵興以後調發轉運之事百倍於常時民生之困悴已不可言至於山中僧人亦皆被侵於築城等役不得休息僧人本非有根着恒居人若逃亡無去處則必以一族切隣轉輾侵擾使動鈴販賣等事不得如意流散甚多諸刹一空加以守令不爲撫恤凡千官中雜役造紙造醬等事無不侵責於此輩自摠攝設立之後依憑官令中間被侵之事又非一二以此僧役之苦又甚於平民怨苦之狀有不忍聞僧雖逃役遊手之人然其生理頓絕則壯者化爲盜賊弱者顚仆溝壑寧不矜惻今後申勅守令所在諸寺僧人各別完護撫集勿以法外非理之事侵責致怨築城等事亦觀勢相時如秋冬僧人動鈴資活之時勿爲服役一處赴役之人量其赴役日數多少卽給完護之帖一年之內毋得再役於他處其中如有名爲摠攝之令而依憑作弊汎濫者所在官隨其告訴或有所聞逐一治罪禁斷使其含生之類各有安集之樂將此事意急速曉諭道內於諸寺牆壁門間皆爲大書張榜使各僧無不聞知本道常常檢勅以袪弊端事十分詳審擧行
Since the troubles broke out, the levying of men and the hauling of goods have been a hundredfold what they were in ordinary times, and the wearing down of the people is already beyond telling. Even the monks in the mountains are all dragged into labor such as wall-building and get no rest.
Monks are by nature not men rooted in one place and settled there, so when there is nowhere to flee to, their kinsmen and near neighbors are pressed in their stead, one after another. Since they are not allowed to go about with the bell or to trade as they will, very many of them have scattered, and the several temples stand quite empty. Besides this the magistrates do not care for them, and there is no sort of miscellaneous government service, down to making paper and brewing soy, that is not shifted onto these men. Since the Superintendents of Monks were set up, cases of extortion along the way under color of the government's orders have again been more than one or two. Thus the service of monks has become harder than that of commoners, and the look of their resentment and distress cannot be borne to hear.
Though monks be men who avoid service and eat without working, yet if the way of their livelihood is wholly cut off, the strong among them become bandits and the weak fall into the ditches; how is this not pitiable?
From now on impress it upon the magistrates that wherever they are they should protect and gather in the monks of the several temples with particular care, and not press them with unlawful and improper demands and so earn their resentment. In such things as wall-building too, let them look at the circumstances and watch the season, and in autumn and winter, the time when monks live by going about with the bell, lay no service upon them. For one who has gone out to service in one place, reckon how many days he was out and give him at once a certificate of exemption, so that within the year no service may be laid upon him again elsewhere.
If among them there are any who, calling it the Superintendent's order, make abuses under that color and act loosely, let the government office of that place follow up the complaints, and where it has heard of such things, punish each one and forbid it. Let the living creatures each have the joy of gathering and dwelling in peace.
Make this intent known within the province with all speed, and have it written out large and posted on the walls and gateways of all the several temples, so that there is no monk who does not hear and know it. Let this province constantly look into it and impress it, and in the matter of doing away with abuses look most carefully and carry it out.
Interlinear notes 2
「Dongnyeong (動鈴)」 is the monks' going round from house to house shaking a bell and receiving alms, that is, begging.
「Wanhocheop (完護帖)」 is the document given out by the government office pledging that service would not be laid on a man twice.