초기대승불교의 교단에서 재가자의 역할 재론 - 특히 안세고 교단의 경우 -

Abstract

This research addresses recent trends pertaining to the origin of Mahayana Buddhism, and approaches it according to Buddhist order. The study confirmed the two views that Mahayana had an independent order in the earlier times of Mahayana Buddhism, and that the teachings of Mahayana were handed down within the traditional order, of which the latter became mainstream. Yet, the emphasis was put on the traditional order, and the role of the laity was not properly examined. However, it was proposed that the laity played a crucial role in the origin of Mahayana Buddhism based on studies conducted by Hakamaya Noriaki. Hakayama’s research satisfies the fact that the teachings of Mahayana were passed down within the traditional order, and that the roles of the laity were also found. Facts concerning the order at the time of the origin of Mahayana are as the following: First, the laity demanded a deified Buddha—one that was even more deified than that of the teachings of the traditional order. Those who actively responded to this were a group of administrative monks who oversaw the laity. It is likely that the group of administrative monks reflected the demands of the laity to create the Mahayana sutras. Yet, it is plausible that none in the traditional order had any interest in the Mahayana sutras in the first place, except the administrative monks. Still, it was possible that they lived in the same area, and the temple of India was in the possession of the laity at the time and the sangha only had the right to use the given space. Namely, even if the laity and the administrative monks preserved the Mahayana sutras in the temple, the traditional order had to react only by not using it. Finally, this paper presents the order of An Shigao as the type of this model.