금당(錦塘) 이재복(李在福)의 불교 활동과 시대 인식

Abstract

Lee Jae-bok(1918~1991) was born in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province in May 1918. After graduating from elementary school in March 1932, he became a monk at Gapsa Temple in Gyeryongsan Mountain in October. He received Buddhist education at Gangwon(Traditional Korean Buddhist educational institution) and Hyehwa Colleges(Dongguk University name during Japanese colonial period). In Gangwon, he served as the publisher of a magazine and emphasized the importance of Korean Buddhism education in Gangwon and the role of scholars. He was so passionate that he received an excellence award when he graduated from Hyehwa College in 1943. Immediately became a teacher at Gangwon in Seoul and trained younger students. In 1945, he organized the Chungnam Buddhist Youth Association in Daejeon and became its president. He led a spiritual practice group for a long time and worked to develop Daejeon Buddhism. In 1957, he published an article titled ‘The Direction of Korean Buddhism’s Propagation’, presenting his views on reform. Its content is consistent with modern reform ideas.In that respect, it can be said that it inherits that spirit. In addition, he worked to resolve the conflict between Korean Buddhism and publish the Korean Tripitaka. He taught Buddhism to the public through over 3,000 sermons. He preached the law thoroughly based on the scriptures. He clearly presented the problems of Korean Buddhism through several writings. First, so many Buddhist sects arose. Second, the number of Buddhist practitioners who violate the precepts has increased. Third, there is a lack of Buddhist educational institutions. Therefore In view of this, he can be evaluated as a pioneer who accurately diagnosed modern Korean Buddhism.