조선후기 비구니의 활동과 비구니사찰의 특징 - 寺誌에 기재된 尼僧 법명 DB를 중심으로 -

Abstract

This paper is a study analyzing the Bhikkhuni Temples distributed throughout the country in the late Joseon Dynasty based on a database of lists of Bhikkhunis listed in Temple Records from the Joseon Dynasty to the Japanese colonial period. In order to examine the activities of Bhikkhunis during the Joseon Dynasty, we investigated the names of Bhikkhunis included in Temple Records and identified 448 Bhikkhunis who were active in 29 temples across the country. By period, there are 4 Bhikkhunis in the 17th century, 60 Bhikkhunis in the 18th century, 274 Bhikkhunis in the 19th century, and 110 Bhikkhunis in the early 20th century (-1910). By region, 156 Bhikkhunis were lived in Gangwon-do, 208 in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, 45 in Jeolla-do, 37 in Gyeongsang-do, and 2 in Hamgyeong-do, and not a single case was investigated in regions such as Chungcheong and Jeju. The characteristics of Bhikkhuni Temples in the Joseon Dynasty shown in the Temple Records can be summarized into four points. The Bhikkhuni Temples are mainly concentrated in Mt. Geumgang in Gangwon-do and the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions. Second, the closer to the city center, the more independently the Bhikkhuni Temples were operated, while in the mountains farther from the city center, the Bhikkhuni Temples were maintained in the form of a hermitage attached to the main temple operated by Bhikkhus. Third, Bhikkhuni participated in Avatamsaka competitions and retreats and put effort into preaching and practice. Fourth, whenever a temple was rebuilt or reconstructed, Bhikkhuni often played a major role as donors. They frequently participated as supporters or donors not only in the reconstruction of their own temple but also in the reconstruction of nearby temples.