어떤 정토를 꿈꾸는가?

Abstract

The concept of the Pure Land, the Buddhist utopia, has been changed throughout various eras and locations. The term usually means a land purified by the power of Bodhisattvas or Buddhas and usually refers to the ideal world in next life. However, the Vimalakirti Sutra argues that Pure Land is here and now. This is because the Pure Land depends on a sentient being's mind. The Vimalakirti Sutra suggests three forms of Pure Land: the Pure Land by the mind; the Pure Land by practice; and the Pure Land here and now. These three forms offer the idea of Pure Land in Korean engaged Buddhism (Chamyeo Bulgyo). Minjung Buddhism(Minjung Bulgyo) inherits the Pure Land ideas and establishes the Pure Land as the equal society that would abolish classes and unify Korea. The forms of the Pure Land reflect the issues of Korean society at each time. Minjung Buddhists fought for their Pure Land and partially achieved it. Later, engaged Buddhism－the successor of Minjung Buddhism－changed the notion of the ideal world. After Korean society accomplished democratization, the Pure Land became a more popular form. This approach to the Pure Land stresses each individual’s peace and happiness as well as connections based on the philosophy of dependent-arising. In the case of Minjung Buddhism and engaged Buddhism, we can see variations in the Pure Land teachings of Vimalakirti Sutra throughout various eras and locations. This example suggests that we can set up a new form of Pure Land to solve contemporary issues in our time. What kind of Pure Land should we pursue to solve our major issues?