『願往生歌』에 대한 정토해석학적 이해

Abstract

Wonwangsaeng-ga(願往生歌) is the masterpiece of Pure Land poems. This poem has been primarily examined in the field of Korean Language and Literature, relatively little in the field of Buddhist Studies. Although the studies in the field of Korean Language and Literature referred to Muryangsugyeong(Sukhāvatīvyūha, 無量壽經), they did not cover Pure Land Hermeneutics, which has information to be used for understanding ofon Wonwangsaeng-ga. This paper attempts to examine Wonwangsaeng-ga adapting the Thirteenth Century Japanese Pure Land Thinkers such as Shinran(親鸞) of Jodoshinshu(淨土眞宗), Gen-i(顯意) of Jodoshu(淨土宗) and Ippen(一遍) of Jishu(時宗). As the result of this attempt, the conclusion of this paper finds out the five points that previous studies does not cover. The perspective from Pure Land Hermeneutics has four points ; firstly, the essence of Pure Land Buddhism is the one-to-one correspondence between Amitābha and people/believer(sattva). Secondly, people can go to Nirvana after death by chanting ‘Namo Aamitābha’. Thirdly, the theme of Wonwangsaeng-ga is not only ‘supplication’ but also ‘ease of mind’, because the people have been determined to go to Nirvana since Dharmākara had become Amitaābha. Lastly, people can go to Nirvana by merely chanting ‘Namo Aamitābha.’ only once without meeting Amitābha. Thus, we can conclude that the faith of Gwangdeok(廣德), the author of Wonwangsaeng-ga, reached the highest state 700 years earlier than Japanese Pure Land thinkers. Since the one beautiful poem expresses his Pure Land thoughts, it is the masterpiece that makes correspondence between thought(content) and art(form).