한국재가불자의 위상정립을 위한 비판적 고찰

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to re-establish the status of contemporary Korean lay Buddhists. To re-establish the status of Korean lay Buddhists, there will be a need of examining about the establishment process, role, and position of lay Buddhists in the early Buddhist period. That is because of seeking an answer here. Why do the lay Buddhists' status and activity need to be re-established today? In a word, it is because the lay Buddhists dropped their own position by failing to properly play a natural role. It strived to additionally consider even a room for improvement through lay Buddhist's reflection. What had been able to be known through the early Buddhist literature, firstly, it is a point that Buddha regarded lay Buddhists not just as the assistant existence for apprentices. Secondly, it is what even the lay Buddhist can achieve arahant[Nirvana] same as apprentice given cultivating ti-sikkhā(三學) and continuously practicing austerities and abstaining from flesh. Thirdly, at that time of Buddha, an opportunity of being able to listen to the rule[Dharma], which is Buddha's teaching, was opened even to lay Buddhist as well as apprentice. Thus, even among lay Buddhists, they ever came to achieve[阿羅漢:arahant] with listening to Buddha's teaching. Such lay Buddhists try to blindly imitate apprentice's behavior of practicing asceticism or to unconditionally follow specific Buddhist monk from some day. Thus, it is enough to reflect on a point of being widespread in phenomenon that lay Buddhist oneself degenerates into assistant or servant of apprentice. Strictly speaking of a cause for a fall in status of Korean lay Buddhists, it is considered to be big entirely in responsibility of lay Buddhists rather than responsibility of apprentices. That is because there are separately ascetic exercises and role in line with lay Buddhist as for lay Buddhists as there are self-discipline method and role in line with apprentice as for apprentices. Now is the time that is needed lay Buddhists' painful self-reflection and introspection. Accordingly, in light of the lay Buddhist's status and role in the early Buddhist period, the establishment of a role in apprentice and lay Buddhist is demanded suitably for today. In addition, the Korean Buddhism is confirmed to likely emerge as the religion of conforming with the time spirit by loyally fulfilling a true role of lay Buddhist.