성림 월산(聖林月山)의 생애에 관한 고찰 - 「불국사ㆍ청계사ㆍ법주사비문」을 중심으로 -

Abstract

This study aims to look into the life of the Buddhist monk Seongnim Weolsan (1913-1997), who played a significant role in the modern history of Korean Buddhism, based on the epitaphs found in three different places. We will investigate the stele of Weolsan and its status, unraveling the significant trajectory of his life shown in the stele. Part 2 examines the construction of Weolsan’s stele combining traditional and modern styles and the importance of the temple where it was erected. Part 3 focuses on Weolsan’s epitaph inscriptions. According to the inscriptions, Ven. Weolsan lived in valiant devotion under the tutelage of contemporary eminent monks, including Mangong. He participated in the Bongamsa Temple Association and purification movements, contributing to the revival of Buddhism. Weolsan succeeded the Deoksung Seon lineage leading from Gyeongheo to Mangong, Boweol, and Geumo and was selected as the Josil at Jebang Seonwon, leading the Seon tradition. He restored the Bulguksa Temple and conducted the three major Buddhist practices (asceticism, education, and missionary work), contributing to the development of Buddhism as head of the religious order and playing other roles. His epitaph contains questions and answers on the truth or falsehood (眞假說) of the non-substantiality of all phenomena (本來無一物), inherent Buddha nature's eternal purity (佛性常淸淨) and Seon contemplation (禪觀) about debates on sudden enlightenment (頓悟) versus gradual cultivation (漸修). Furthermore, the epitaph testifies that he became a monk after reading the verse on the non- substantiality of all phenomena in the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch (六祖壇經) and visited Yukjojeongsang Pagoda (六祖頂相塔) of Ssangyesa Temple every year on the anniversary of the Sixth Patriarch for 30 years. These records suggest that Weolsan’s epitaph holds profound value not only in understanding his life but also for the study of his philosophy.