<釋迦如來行蹟頌>의 구조와 주제의식

Abstract

This study was conducted as an effort to explain the literary nature of <Seokgasong>, and for this, it examined the structure of the text and thematic consciousness. In preliminary examination, furthermore, we studied the contents and characteristics of extant block prints. The contents of discussions so far are summarized as follows. First, we presented the extant block prints and bibliography of <Seokgasong>, and examined the structures and contents of the block prints. According to their contents and characteristics, the extant block prints of <Seokgasong> are largely divided into two groups: Sinheungsa block and Minsu‐am one. The Minsu‐am block is a kind of summary, omitting 28 phrases of Gesong in the Sinheung‐sa block and leaving annotations only for seven places. Next, we divided the structure of <Seokgasong> into three parts (introduction, main body, and conclusion), and examined the contents and meanings of each part. The introduction sings that the essence of Buddha is the incarnation of dharma (truth) in the aspects of enlightenment, the time of Buddha’s appearance in the world, and the space of his appearance. Following the assumptions in the introduction, the main body deals with the contents and nature of dharma, and suggests ‘nirvana’ as the core of dharma, and the limitation of its lasting period as its nature. The conclusion maintains for new monks that the purpose of their leaving home is nirvana, and suggests methods according to each listener’s character and emphasizes the practice of the methods. According to these contents, the structure of <Seokgasong> is ‘the essence of Buddha → the contents and nature of dharma → the method and practice of nirvana, and its theme is ‘emphasis on nirvana and its practice.’ Lastly, in consideration of the motive for creation and historical background, we examined the poetic orientation of <Seokgasong>. The writer Unmuk was seriously aware of the monks’ ignorance of basic tenets and doctrines of Buddhism and their disobedience to Buddhist commandments, and the theme of <Seokgasong> reflected these problems. In addition, the fortune‐seeking trend of Buddhism in those days suggests that <Seokgasong> was a literary reaction to the corruption within the Buddhist circle in those days. That is, <Seokgasong> urged awareness of monks’ qualitative degeneration and moral fall due to the trend of Buddhism seeking worldly fortunes, and reformation from such evil practices.