『삼국유사』에 반영된 신라불교의 생명관

Abstract

This paper deals with the changes of Shilla Buddhist perspective on life shown in 『Samguk Yusa(三國遺事)』. As shown in 『Jataka』, in Buddhist perspective on life, retribution rebirth deities based on retributive justice[yeongibeop], which emphasized cause-and-effect is well reflected. In 『Samguk Yusa』, which directly or indirectly was affected by 『Jataka』, animals are also regarded as equivalent to human beings and deva. Based on these life-oriented and horizontal perspective on life, humans beings in myths tend to reborn as animals, or reincarnated, or transmigrate as a ghost to revenge. In some cases, even free interaction and communication with animals were possible. Traditionally, the National defense Buddhism, which took birth during the unification war, has transformed its perspective on life as to "Kill only with forethought." However, even during that period, Buddhism has never easily killed living things and tried not to leave any desire for revenge. To this end, many tales tell us many stories that temples were built for immortality. That is why if there are no specific document, it is arguable that the National defense Buddhism has look down on the lives or allowed killings should be changed. 『Samguk Yusa』 writes that cause-and-effect as well as birth and death are all transience of life. Also the book tells us that the path toward realizing liberation beyond samsara is the ultimate goal. Perspective on life is believed to be the basic value of religion. That is why the notion of lives cannot transform even though time changes. Since the society has changed, people can view lives differently, leading to perceptual changes about lives. However, 『Samguk Yusa』 shows that basic values or philosophy have not shifted. Likewise, Shilla Buddhist perspective on life was reflected in 『Samguk Yusa』 an this book may have contributed to the interpretation of historical records.