The chanting later lineage and the performing art of Yesujae ritual in Cheongyeon Temple

Anjeong(Cheongyeon) temple in Wangsimli, Seoul, which was an assistant temple of the royal Josun court, has long carried out rituals and prayer services for the wellbeing of both royal and ordinary people. When the wangsimli area was urbanized, the temple was relocated to the foot of Gaemyeong mountain in Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-province, near Seoul. Thereafter, the temple became an expanded seminary for Buddhist rituals. Ritual performances retained greater fealty to tradition, being held in apter conditions for passing down. The chanting master Ven Sangjin passed on the tradition of the later lineage of the Anjeong temple, training and educating his disciples.The special point in the Yesujae ritual, during which prayers are offered seeking the accession to heaven of Cheongyeon temple members, is the Hyangpung Beompae, Korean native style Buddhist chants. The text of the chants were written by a venerated Korean priest, and whilst the melody is syllabic, the rhythm is of a traditional Korean rhythmic pattern, unlike the Dangpung Beompae with its Chinese melisma melody. The chanting master Ven Sangjin of Cheongnyeonsa is especially renowned for Hyangpung Beompae, such as the Jangeom Yeombul, Chukwon Hoacheong, and Hoisimgok. His speciality appeals because the chants are popular to Korean Buddhists. Recalling his mentor master’s words, that the Hangpung Beompae has been transmitted by word of mouth from the Silla Dynasty, thus making it an intrinsic Korean Buddhist song, he has trained in it constantly.Ven Sangjin also learned the Korean trumpet, the Hojeok, from Ven Byeokeung (the 50th cultural asset of the National intangible heritage) and then passed it down to musician Wijaeyeong, head of the band of Cheongyeon temple. All members who sing, recite, dance, or play musical instruments are trained through the Anjeong Buddhist Art Institute, established in Cheongyeon temple. It is very important as a basic point of agreement that training, education, and succession make near perfect the ritual performance.