한국종교의 이상세계론, 그 연구를 위한 시론

Abstract

This article, which reviews religion’s symbols of ideal world and contents as well as its characteristics and development process, aims to derive characteristics of Korean religions by means of comparative analysis of those ideal worlds. A number of symbols of ideal world as targets of analysis in this study have been contributing to establishment of ideal world in the country’s religions in their own way. That is, Confucian society of great unity suggested the ideal of one family under the world beyond the interests of individuals and families; Buddhist world of harmony suggested moral human character based on good virtues and wisdom of individuals; Christian Millennium provided the ideal of the coming of Messiah assuring strong practicability and community. And concept of new creation in future by new religions, by means of synthesis of others, drew a picture of ideal world of ‘grassroots equal society’, which has been prototype of the country’s nationalism in modern times. So, many of country’s religions emerging after modern times have tended to pursue paradise on earth, like new creation in future, containing the ideal of one family under the world, moral human character, belief in the coming of Messiah. Symbols of ideal world in Korea tended to be mixed with ideal worlds of other religions depending on the realistic necessity,beyond just remaining a religious tradition. And there, spirit of fusion appears strongly. Looking at development process of Confucian society of great unity, Buddhist world of harmony, new creation in future of new religions and Christian Millennium, they have interacted either to create a new ideal world or for a symbol of ideal world to absorb other ideal worlds. Such phenomenon becomes obvious when we look at the symbol of new creation in future-a good example of the country’s ideal world. These symbols, which remain transcendental and conceptional at normal times, vitalize their potential and resurface on social soil if faced with the public opposing to the establishment or foreign threats. In other words,they are internalized as faith benefiting in this world during socially-stabilized periods, and reappear as a symbol of realizable perfect society during the socially-transforming periods to eventually function as a blueprint for social transformation. Combined with resistance movements of the people, they greatly contributed to the country’s social reform movements such as Donghak Movement and March First Independence Movement.