불교 업보윤회설의 의의와 해석

Abstract

Buddhism’s Karma theory often has been understood as a mystical concept. However, the karma-theory as an underlying teaching of the Buddhist outlook and philosophy is still very significant in modern society. Also there is a room for the interpretation of the new perspectives. The following tentative conclusions have been reached as the result of this study. First, in the Buddhist theory of Karma and transmigration,the human fate is not decided by the will of the gods, destiny or coincidence. However, the human actions are emphasized in the theory of Karma and transmigration, which lead us a correct and upstanding life. The high and low of human experience are defined by the result of human action. So the Buddhist theory of Karma and transmigration can be the principal basis of human equality. Also the theory teaches ‘freedom and responsibility’ and this is the spirit of citizenship which is required in modern democratic society. Second, Buddhist theory of karma, which emphasizes the collective karma as well as the individual karma, serves as a theoretical support for a participatory democracy. In particular, the collective karma that regulates the natural environment not only evokes the common effort to solve the environmental crisis but also awakens the spirit of undaunted challenge. Third, the karma theory of Buddhism emphasizes the fundamental ethical line of human motivation based on the good will, but it also reflects the result of actions. Accordingly, it will serve useful in the global risk society. Fourth, the Buddhist theory of karma can be interpreted in terms of individual, social, and psychological dimensions. In this context, more attention should be paid to the aspect of psychological causality in the future.