일제강점기 백양사의 제주불교 활동과 의의

Abstract

During Japanese colonial rule, the 31 head Buddhist temples in Korea established their mission stations in Jeju province. Baekyangsa Temple was the representative temple that established 26 mission stations and operated actively in Jeju. Unlike the general trend, where each mission station was established based on its administrative division, mission stations in Jeju, which are under the jurisdiction of Jeollanam-do, were established by head temples from other regions such as Gyeongsang-do and Chungcheong-do. The establishment of the Jeju Mission Station by Baekyangsa Temple in 1924 signified the resumption of Buddhist activities, which had been halted for about six years due to Japanese control following the anti-Japanese movement in Jeju launched by Beopjeongsa Temple in 1918. After the establishment of mission stations such as Wondangsa Temple and Mugwanam Temple under Baekyangsa Temple in 1924, Baekyangsa Temple, as the head temple, actively supported mission activities on Jeju Island by providing construction funds for mission stations, dispatching missionaries, and having the head monk of the temple visit the mission stations on Jeju. Consequently, the number of believers increased rapidly, Buddhist activities increased, and Baekyangsa Temple mission stations increased throughout Jeju Island. During the period of the Shimjeon Development Movement in 1936, Baekyangsa Temple dispatched missionaries to Jeju Island to support lecture activities. Missionaries from Baekyangsa Temple, such as Ilseon Lee, actively participated in the activities of the Jeju Buddhist Federation in 1939, leading to the revitalization of modern Jeju Buddhism through the establishment of temples, an increase in believers, and the expansion of Buddhist services. By 1943, Baekyangsa Temple operated mission stations in 26 temples on Jeju Island, located in 11 out of 12 myeon divisions in Jeju. The activity of Baekyangsa Temple's mission stations on Jeju Island was an achievement in revitalizing modern Jeju Buddhism.