「화엄경 약찬게」와 『신중경』의 성립과 전개

Abstract

This study aims to provide detailed explanations about the establishment and developmental process of the Briefly Edited Verses of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra by presenting newly discovered historical materials based on prior research on the subject. It is revealed that the Section of the Wonderful Adornments of the Leaders of the World of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra published around 1250 was called the Avataṃsaka Guardian Deities (Sūtra), and this sutra in 1939 was shortened into the Briefly Edited Guardian Deities of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra which publication brought the establishment of today’s Briefly Edited Verses of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra. The (Avataṃsaka) Guardian Deities Sūtra then formed an important axis in the Buddhist rituals during the early period of Joseon. According to the Song Nyum Ye Cham Won Seng Deung Bu published at Ansimsa Temple in 1753, the Sūtra was comprised of the Praise of Diamond Sūtra, the Lotus Guardian Deities, and the Avataṃsaka Guardian Deities. Since the 17th century, however, the object of worship in the Avataṃsaka Guardian Deities Sūtra has shifted into Ucchusma Bright King (穢跡明王) and Brahma King (梵王), and the preexisting guardian deities were excluded from being observed. Even in this situation, the Nagarjuna Bodhisattva‘s Briefly Edited Verses of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra in the Ye Nyum Wang Seng Mun edited and compiled around 1715 gave birth to newly formatted the Extensively Edited Verses (廣略纂偈). This work was included in the Avataṃsaka and Lotus Briefly Edited Dharani published in 1885 in order to “compile the essence to enter the Buddha karma“. The Briefly Edited Verses of the Avataṃsaka Sūtra found here was finally included as part of the end of the Guardian Deities Prayers under the section of everyday liturgy in the Tong Il Beop Yo Jip published in 1998.