한국불교 法寶信仰의 초기 형성 및 전개

Abstract

Under the title of “Early Formation and Development of Dharma-Ratna Faith in Korea,” this study examined the various elements of Dharma-Ratna Faith formed during the Period of Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla and found out the followings: As for the elements of Dharma-Ratna Faith during the early transmission in the Three Kingdoms, Goguryeo showed the prevalence of expounding the sūtras; Baekje showed practice through the canon of rules, incantation through esoteric monks, and sutra chanting for healing purposes; and Silla showed the establishment of the concept of three treasures of Silla, the function of Sutra to protect the nation, and the early form of Sutra Faith in the majesty of power of the Sutra. As for the examples of being enshrined in stupas, Goguryeo enshrined Sanskrit records in the stupas of early transmission; Baekje established Jeseok monastery and enshrined the Diamond Sutra in stupas, which indicates that the perception of dharma-sarira for sutras was developed as an example of Dharma-Ratna Faith. In United Silla that witnessed the diverse developmental patterns of Dharma-Ratna Faith, they enshrined Buddha-Dharmaśarīra-Gata and dhāraṇī in stupas according to the rules of Caityapradakṣiṇagāthā and Raśmivimalaviśuddhaprabhādhāraṇī and spread the concept of dharmasarira through the cases of enshrining sutras inside the Abdomen of Buddha Statues. There was a vogue of sutra transcription according to the expanded concept of dharma-sarira, and it was evolved into the concept of charity with the making of decorated sutras such as transcription sutra with gold and silver. In addition, stone and tile sutras were made to wish for the eternal existence of Dharma-Ratna. They also pursued to protect the nation and remove disasters based on Inwang sutras and established Sutra Faith and sutra chanting based on the power of the Sutra. As the practices related to the sutras were ritualized, they influenced the spread of Sutra Faith along with awe for the sutras. Examples of various developments of Dharma-Ratna Faith were found in Beompae, sutra chanting, and sutra listening as the examples of soul liberation. Those findings indicate that Dharma-Ratna Faith developed in various forms including the authority of practice and action, incantation, healing, and national protection functions during Unified Silla in the early transmission of Buddhism.