성림월산과 불국사 선원- 불국사 선원 개설의 역사적 배경과 의미를 중심으로 -

Abstract

Bulguksa Temple has changed into what we can see today through the restoration between May 1969 and July 1973. However, if one wants to recognize Bulguksa as one of the representative temples of modern Korean Buddhism -- not as a temple representing the Buddhist culture of Silla, one needs to pay attention to establishing and developing process of the Seon Center of the Bulguksa Temple. And it is necessary to understand Ven. Wolsan who worked hard to open the center and teach monks, and know the characteristics of the center. Taking note of this point, this paper expounded that the ‘Bulguksa Restoration Project’ and ‘Establishing and Operating the Center’ were based on different historical and cultural backgrounds. It is noted that the ideological foundation for establishing the Center was different from that for constructing the Temple, from the time of founding the Temple to the restoration completed in 1973. And this point, the meaning of Ven. Wolsan’s establishing and operating the Center is clearly able to be understood. Despite its short history, the Seon Center was sensational and famous owing to many great masters like Ven. Beomryong, Ven. Songdam, Ven. Il-ta, Ven. Jeong-il, and Ven. Hyejeong. Most of all, the Cenetr began to flourish thanks to the guidance and teachings of Ven. Wolsan who following the Mt. Deoksung Linage that led from Ven. Gyong-heo to Ven. Man-gong, Ven. Bo-wol, and Ven, Geumo. The Center’s settling in spite of a short period of time could be seen as the result of a guiding teacher of the Center, Ven. Wolsan’s efforts to focus on teaching monks.