원불교 법회의 형성과 변천과정

Abstract

The most fundamental and core ritual in Won-Buddhism can be said to be dharma meeting or bŏphwe. The purpose of this study is to examine the process of formation and transition of Won-Buddhism’s bŏphwe. The regular dharma meeting or yehwe had been held by the Society for the Study of Buddhadharma in 1924, and since 1945, bŏphwe has become the focus of all ceremonies. Yehwe has a strong character of regular ritual meetings. It was a gateway for community members’ study, practice, congratulations, and condolences such as dharma group meetings, the beginning and closing ceremonies of dharma practice, various memorial ceremonies, deliverance services, and wedding ceremonies. It was also a way to lead the comprehensive study and business, including the resolutions of various opinions. In 1935(Won-Buddhist Year 20), the Ilwonsang was enshrined and proclaimed as Mind-Buddha and Dharmakaya Buddha, and it was also considered as a symbol of the object of faith and the model of practice. Furthermore, as the origin of Buddhadharma was emphasized, its focus was shifted to bŏphwe. The process of change in the order of bŏphwe was developed in the direction of increasing the unity of faith and practice based on the strengthening of faith as a whole. For example, as bowing to Dharmakaya Buddha, chanting of Ilwonsang Vow and prayers were located in the first half of bŏphwe ceremony, it can be said that the bŏphwe strengthened the faith, centering on Ilwonsang, the Dharmakaya Buddha. And it can be understood that practice elements were added, such as reading the scripture, the Essential Dharmas of Daily Practice, monastery discourse or dharma talk, and dharma Q&A. Besides, since the Guide to Propriety and Won-Buddhist Ceremony published in 1967, the order of bŏphwe has been set and is reaching today. However, the inconsistency between the Guide to Propriety and Won-Buddhist Ceremony and its Rules of Rites and Rituals book published in 2012 remains a task to be solved in the future.