韓龍雲의 『朝鮮佛敎維新論』에 관한 批評的 考察

Abstract

The study examined Han Yong-un’s "Joseon Buddhist Reformation" from a critical perspective and looked into its philosophical implications and contemporary significance. Han Yong-un argued, based solely on the Liang Qi-chao’s theory on the western and eastern religions and philosophies, that the Buddhist philosophy is superior to the philosophy of other religions and schools, which seems to be problematic. If he emphasized on the distinctiveness of Buddhism as a religion of awareness, it would have been efficient in identifying its essence. Despite the unrealistic and radical aspects of Han Yong-un’s reform plans suggested in “Joseon Buddhist Reformation”, considering the circumstances of the time, it can be viewed as a suitable prescription to put down old practices that weren’t proper in the time. However, from a philosophical view it is difficult to understand his argument that allowing Buddhist monks to marry is beneficial, which is based on the logic applied to the general public, and his understanding that banning their marriage denies all human appetite and lust and it compels unavariciousness against their will. Nevertheless, there would be no doubt that “Joseon Buddhist Reformation” will be a valuable asset that can be guidance for Korean Buddhist Reformation as a book containing Han Yong-un’s anguish and will, whose priority was spiritual independence of Korean Buddhism during the Japanese colonial period.