경봉(鏡峰) 정석(靖錫) 선사의 오도송과 승려 교유시

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the enlightenment poetry (悟道詩) and literary exchanges by the monk Gyung-bong (鏡峰) Jeong-suk (靖錫) (1892~1982), a high priest who represents modern Buddhist society in Korea. Gyung-bong dedicated his life to the practice and popularization of Buddhism at Tongdosa (通度寺) Geung-nag-am (極樂庵). He lived to be 90 years old and furthered the tradition of Buddhist poetry, and was a representative poet of modern Korean Buddhists. His work, Samsogul-il-ji (三笑窟日誌), is a history of modern Buddhism in Korea in poetic form written over several years. Through this volume, he communicated with believers using poetry, as he believed that poetry was the true tool for practice and to complete his mission. In addition, the main theme in this work is Oh-do-song and the poetry exchange between the city and other high priests. Oh-do-song (悟道頌), written in 1927, is a masterpiece that presents Oh-do's emotions in a comprehensible language. In this piece, Oh-do realizes that the object he had spent 20 years searching for was a “heart,” which was right in front of him. He said that this realization resolved all his suspicions instantly . During his lifetime, Gyung-bong interacted actively with the monks Guha (九河) and Han-am (漢岩). Guha and Gyung-bong were the representatives of modern Tongdosa. When the two separated for a while, they missed each other and exchanged poetry. They had fierce debates on Buddhism, and were equally skilled poets of Buddhist poetry. The exchange of high quality poetry by these two monks epitomizes the friendship and tone that is characteristic of Tongdosa and modern Korean Buddhists. Han-am was Gyung-bong’s closest friend in literature and practice. The 24 letters that they exchanged with each other are like a forum of Zen Buddhism. The wit and sensibilities of the two people in the letters, and the poetry of Gyung-bong, which are motivational, have left a strong impression on the readers.