Sŏk Chimyŏng 釋智明 was a native of Silla. He was spiritually awakened, and he acted in an appropriate manner. He accumulated merit and adhered to the disciplines.[441] Always ready to praise others’ virtues, he tried to incorporate them within himself. He was most generous with men; in truth, his deeds, great and high, [442] were worthy of notice.
In the earlier stage of the spread of Buddhism in Korea, few people were interested. But occasionally the talented came forth, raising their arms[443] to follow the cause. They either attained enlightenment through the use of their talent or went to a distant country to seek the Law. When the new physician is overwhelmed[444] by the old, then only are the right and wrong distinguished. When a former magistrate briefs a new one, he hands down instructions like a teacher. Therefore people went west to China one after another and returned after attaining a thorough comprehension [of the truth]. The master, a genius commanding the admiration of the world, sought the Law[445] in [the state of] Ch‘en in the seventh month, autumn, of the seventh year of King Chinp‘yŏn 眞平王 (5 8 5).[446] He traveled both by land and by sea, one moment to the east and the next to the west. If there was one who was known for his way or his fame, the master never failed to seek him out and ask his guidance, just as wood is made straight by the use of a plumb line[447] or raw gold is fashioned into a vessel. He left, and before he knew it, ten years had already passed, during which time he mastered the essence of learning. Eager to introduce the lamp of Buddhism at home, in the ninth month of the twenty-fourth year of King Chinp‘yŏng (602)[448] he went back to his country with a returning Silla envoy. The king, deeply impressed by his fame, entertained a high regard for him, respected the śīla and vinaya, rewarded him with the title of Taedŏk (Bhadanta) 大德, and encouraged those who were so disposed to follow in his way. The master was as high as Mount Sung 嵩 or Mount Hua[449] [in his moral stature] and as deep as a wide ocean in his magnanimity. He enlightened disciples with [the brightness of] the wisdom-moon and encouraged them with [the constancy of] a virtuous wind. The clergy and laity regarded his teachings as their unchanging rule and great lesson.[450] Later the king rewarded him [with the title of] Taedaedŏk 大大德. Even in daily life he kept strict discipline. We do not know where he died.
The master was the first to go to Ch‘en. Five years after him, the master of the Law Wŏn‘gwang 圓光 went to Ch‘en; eight years after, Tamyuk 曇育[451] went to Sui and returned home seven years later with Hyemun 惠文,[452] a Silla envoy to China. Both [Tamyuk] and Chimyŏng, distinguished for their virtues and wonderful gifts,[453] won fame in their time. We cannot value one above the other.
The eulogy says: Chi Cha 季札[454] studied music in the house of Chou, and Confucius asked Lao Tan about propriety.[455] They did not start a new school of thought, but based their learning on an already established authority. [Kak]tŏk and others went to study in an advanced country and returned [after] attaining the Way. Although they differed [from Chi Cha and Confucius], they shared the same aspirations.