팔관회의 현대적 계승과 복원

Abstract

The Palgwanhoe ceremony, a combination of Buddhism and indigenous culture, is a good representation of the development of an ancient religious ceremony into a national festival. The historical and Buddhist value of Palgwanhoe, in addition to its integrated cultural and social values, create a strong foundation that position it as a new, uniquely Korean festival. The processes and contents of the Palgwanhoe ceremony, considered intangible cultural assets, are described in detail in “The History of Korea”. It is the task of this modern era to recreate the flat record of the Palgwanhoe in a three-dimensional and dynamic manner in light of advances in academic and cultural competency. The restoration of the Palgwanhoe depends on emphasizing its positive, important features while reinterpreting it as a Buddhist festival that is relevant to and widely shared by a modern audience. Therefore, this paper focuses on what a recreated Palgwanhoe would look like, when it would be held, and future directions in order for it to become a reality. The issue of timing is an important factor determining the identity of the ceremony. The optimal date for Palgwanhoe as a modern festival is October 15, as it was traditionally held through a fortnight between November and October. We can divide the Palgwanhoe ceremony proposed in this paper into three themes; a ceremony for married lay Buddhists, a ritual appeasing the spirits of those who gave their lives in service for the nation and community, and an integrated festival of traditional thought and culture. In order to explore all three themes, one week is necessary. In particular, it would be advisable for Buddhist and ordinary citizens to engage in meditation practice six days before the 15th.