원효의 공(空)사상 -『금강삼매경론』 의 수공법(修空法) -

Abstract

Wonhyo is more than just a practitioner who awakened to the first of the ten bodhisattva bhūmis. In Wonhyo's Exposition of the Vajrasamādhi Sūtra, he describes his achievements, showing unique content and structures that cannot be seen in the work of other Zen masters. Wonhyo embraces and explains the doctrinal teachings of the twofold truth (二諦說) in Madhyamaka (中觀) and the three natures of cognition (三性說) in Yogâcāra (唯識) when interpreting śūnyatā. Wonhyo's idea of śūnyatā may be divided into the three levels of apprehension of emptiness (三空) before, and three levels after the ten bodhisattva stages. The three levels before the ten bodhisattva stages are divided into non-self (我空), non-dharma (法空), and non-emptiness (平等空) as is shown in the chapter on inspiration of original enlightenment. The three levels after the ten bodhisattva stages are classified into the characteristic of emptiness is also empty (空相亦空), the emptiness of emptiness is also empty (空空亦空), and the thing which is emptied is also empty (所空亦空) as is shown in the chapter on accessing the edge of reality. In addition, Wonhyo also refers to the five levels of emptiness (五空) as the emptiness practiced before the ten bodhisattva stages. These five levels refer to the three types of true thusness (三種眞如), which are the true thusness of transmutation (流轉眞如), the true thusness of the real characteristics (實相眞如), and the true thusness of consciousness- only (唯識眞如). If a person who practices by contemplating his or her original true mind and action (觀行) masters the five levels of emptiness, and completely deviates from existence, he or she will enter true emptiness (眞空) or enlightenment. Wonhyo explains in detail the moment when a person enters the stage of enlightenment with the concepts of the unwavering (不動) and attaining enlightenment (得入). One is unwavering from formlessness in that there is no form for the subject and object due to the equality of fundamental law (理) and wisdom (智). Wonhyo called it enlightenment when this unwavering-ness appears in the mind. After that, he or she practices the three levels of emptiness after the first of the ten bodhisattva bhūmis, a real stage of practice, transforms three times and totally penetrates to the one mind. In the end, wisdom and concentration can be achieved fully and transcend the three realms of existence. The greatest originality in an idea of śūnyatā, interpreted by Wonhyo, is not based in futility or nihilistic interpretations of emptiness, but the merciful true emptiness for sentient beings (慈悲眞空).