근대 일본 불교 세력의 침투와 불교계의 동향

Abstract

Escaping from the policy of suppressing Buddhism of Joseon Dynasty and pursuing its own independent development, the recent history of Buddhism in Korea is again dotted with tribulation and frustration due to control and intervention of colonial power after collapse of the country. Beginning with the opening port followed by the arrival of Japanese Buddhist power, our recent history of Buddhism coped with the expanding power of Japanese Buddhism and pursued its own independent development, but the progress was slow and tedious. In the course of establishing emperor system after the collapse of Shogunate political regime, the power of Japanese Buddhism supported Shogunate political regime to the end. Feeling crisis after emperor system was established, the Buddhist circle was forced to advance to Joseon, Sakhalin, etc so as to perform its missionary work in overseas colony as a self-relieving policy. Facing the expanding power of Japanese Buddhist, Joseon Buddhist circle was too weak to establish its identity and show independent aspect. Thus, it tried to change its appearance at the beginning by imitating the educational system and propagation method of Japanese Buddhism. Appearing through the inauguration of Wonheungsa and the establishment of Buddhism Research Institute, such shape was embodied by the establishment of Myeongjin School. Myeongjin School was established to cultivate propagator who can adapt to new age. Entering the modern society, the movement to search new direction of Buddhist circle was shown by the first religious order, Wonjong which was established by 52 representatives of Buddhist circle gathering in Wonheungsa in 1908. Establishing Wonjong Jongmuwon, the representatives of Buddhist circle nominated Lee Hoe Gwang of Haeinsa as supreme patriarch, arranged the organization and constructed Gakhwangsa by raising subscription. However, pondering over the issue of getting governmental approval of Wonjong, Lee Hoe Gwang, the supreme patriarch concluded the alliance pact with Jodongjong of Japan in the pretext of learning propagation method of Japan. As such situation was known to the Buddhist circle, the monks of ethnic group denounced Lee Hoe Gwang as a betrayer of religion, proclaimed the nullification of alliance pact and establish Imjaejong to promulgate the orthodoxy. Imjaejong tried to recover the independence of Buddhist circle on the base of Honam and Youngnam and Wonjong remained in existence at the north center. After all, the 2 religious orders were dissolved by Joseon Government-General in 1912 when the country ruined.