설숭(契嵩)의 「효론(孝論)」에 나타난 중국불교의 효(孝)

Abstract

This paper examines the life and works of XieSong, who was active during the early Song Dynasty, and discusses the concept of ‘filial piety’ in early Chinese Buddhism, as well as the grand concept of Buddhist filial piety presented in his work Filial Piety Theory. From the early introduction of Buddhism, it was criticized by the Chinese for its practice of abandoning parents and relatives and shaving one's head to leave home. As a result, Chinese Buddhism argued that Buddhism, even from its early days, emphasizes the importance of filial piety. However, it was XieSong who systematically and thoroughly developed the argument for Buddhist filial piety in his Filial Piety Theory. This paper thus examines the concept of filial piety in Buddhism as presented in Filial Piety Theory. In the preface of Filial Piety Theory, XieSong states that Buddhism, in its original form, emphasizes filial piety even more than Confucianism. He expresses regret that previous Buddhist scholars had not sufficiently highlighted this, which led him to write Filial Piety Theory. In particular, XieSong argues that the basis for achieving the perfect enlightenment lies in 'filial virtue', and the fundamental spirit of the great precepts is filial obedience to one's parents, through which the path of the Dao can be attained. Furthermore, in Filial Piety Theory, XieSong compares the Five Precepts of Buddhism with the Five Constant Virtues of Confucianism, emphasizing that, in essence, both represent the teachings of the sages. However, XieSong argues that while Confucianism focuses only on the present world, Buddhism, based on the concept of reincarnation, discusses filial piety toward the parents of the seven generations, making Buddhist filial piety broader and more profound. In Filial Piety Theory, this is referred to as ‘grand filial piety’ or ‘broad filial piety’.