16세기 학자들의 山水와의 疏通 -天人合一의 志向을 중심으로-

Abstract

Considering that scholars managed political affairs by retiring to hermitage in the mountain or interacted with nature by travelling in it during the massacre of scholars in the 16th century, this study set out to investigate how the scholars recognized nature and what they sought in the mountain, and the study was examined by focusing on the aim of Choenilhapil (the unity of Heaven and Man). The findings of the study were summarized as follows: First, nature was regarded as the object needed for self-discipline, while scholars inherited thoroughly the tradition of Sansuinsik (Nature Recognition) passed down from Confucius, Tseng Tien, Zi Si, and Mencius and they had the aim of Choenilhapil. Second, virtue and wisdom were gained through nature by inheriting thoroughly the principles of Confucius' Yosanyosu and Mencius' Gwansuyusul. Third, ponds were constructed at scholars' home in the 16th century and the scholars tried to study heavenly principles in order to realize Choenilhapil in the real world by inheriting the principle of Zhu Xi's 「Gwanseoyugam」. Fourth, the goal of Choenilhapil was set by scholars, while they managed political affairs by retiring to hermitage in the mountain with scenic beauty like Zhu Xi and devoted themselves to moral self cultivation. Fifth, the scholars tried to study heavenly principles through Sansekgye- seong, which they met everytime and everywhere, by expanding the denotation of Cheonrijechal (studying heavenly principles) through landscape and nature. The scholars of Joseon in the 16th century had thoroughly inherited the tradition of Sansuinsik in the East Asian region, and they tried to study heavenly principles everytime and everywhere in their daily life by expanding the denotation of Cheonrijechal. The interaction between scholars and nature was a reflection of moralists' principle, which they always sought Choenilhapil in the real world, and it was regarded as the essence of Seonbi (gentry) culture in the Joseon Dynasty era.