Sataekjijeok Laments the Flow of Time

[Narration]
The stele displayed here was found amid a pile of stones on a mountain near Buyeo. It is the work of Sataekjijeok, a prime minister of Baekje who held office during the mid 7th century.

[Tourist]
I can see some Chinese characters inscribed on the stele. What do they mean?

[Narration]
I will read them for you.

“The moon was sad that the sun was leaving so quickly, and so it mined gold to build a special house and used jade to build a sacred temple. Its affection can be felt in the sacred light sent to the clouds….”

Was the text a little difficult to understand?

[Tourist]
“The sun was leaving so quickly”… Does the phrase mean that time was passing by quickly?

[Narration]
Yes, that’s right. It seems that Sataekjijeok was lamenting his old age after resigning from his position as prime minister. The inscription concludes with him determining that he will return to his Buddhist faith and construct temples.

[Tourist]
Oh, I see. It reminds me of the quote from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, “Our time is as a shadow that passed away.” I guess people in both the East and the West share similar feelings about life passing them by.