신라시대 지리산권의 불사활동과 신행선사비의 건립 -중대 말 하대 초의 정치변동과 관련하여-

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine a correlation between Buddhist activities around Jirisan(智異山) area in Silla Dynasty and erection of 'Shinhaengsonsabi(神行禪師碑 inscription of Shinhaeng's biography)' during the reign of King Hunduk(憲德王). Around the middle and late period of Silla, following Buddhist activities took place in Jirisan area: Lee Soon(李純), a royal high officer of King Gyeongduk(景德王), established Dansok Temple(斷俗寺); a monk Youngjae(永才) who wrote Korean folk poetry Hyangga(鄕歌) went into hermit in Jirisan; the Avatamska Sutra was transcribed in Hwaeom Temple(華嚴寺) initiated by the Buddhist teacher-priest Yeongi(緣起); and Virojana Buddha statue and stone tower were created in Seoknam Temple(石南寺). Initiators of such activities were considered to be the supporters of an authoritarian monarchy of King Gyeongduk. A new sovereign power of the late Silla organized activities in memory of the eminent monks, so as to gain support of the Buddhist sector of society. For instance, statues of the ten most important figures who contributed to the development of Buddhism of Silla were enshrined in a golden chapel of Heungryun Temple(興輪寺). Moreover grave stones for many eminent monks were erected to commemorate their thoughts. One of these commemorative objects is a representative of the Zen Buddhism, Shinghaengsonsabi erected in Jirisan area. The motivation for the new sovereign power to erect Shinhaengsonsabi is as follows: Shinhaeng belonged to the Kim(金) family and ‘jingol(眞骨)’ royal family; he was a Zen Buddhist monk; and his philosophical inclination was appropriate. His Zen Buddhist thoughts were based on the comprehensive knowledge of various scriptures and it was inclusive as well as integrative with various other thoughts. He was also well-informed of the ‘Thoughts of the Lotus Sutra(法華思想)’ in which coexistence and a ‘Theory of Harmonization(和諍思想)’ were emphasized. It was within a similar context of promoting the Theory of Harmonization in Buddhism by the new regime based on the Thoughts of Lotus Sutra of Wonhyo(元曉). Such motivations of the new regime for promoting the thoughts of Shinhaeng also resulted in supporting Dansok Temple. The new regime attempted on convincing people of Dansok Temple to become their supporters. Later, people in Cheongju(菁州) region joined in as a result of the Riot of Kim Heonchang(金憲昌). However it did not encourage any significant activity and was eventually pacified. It is considered to be a strategic gain of the financial support and persuasion by the new sovereign power targeted to Dansok Temple. The foundation of Shinhaengsonsabi marked an official approval of Zen Buddhism by the state. As a result, Zen Buddhism began to disseminate throughout Silla which in turn carries a historical significance.