문정왕후의 불교 중흥에 대한 시대 배경적 검토

Abstract

The revival of Buddhism by Queen Munjeong is a unique event that took place during the mid-Joseon period, when Confucianism was stably established. Scholars used to understand thisin two points: ‘Buddhist booming by Queen Munjeong’s powerful power’ and ‘The works of an outstanding monk named Bowoo(普雨)’. However, they cannot fully explain the revival of Buddhism that occurred during the stable period of the Joseon Dynasty. Therefore, this paper tries to derive more rational reasons by highlighting the background of the times when such a situation was possible. There are two main reasons for the background of the era when such a revival of Buddhism was possible. The first one is that the number of monks exploded due to the suppression of Buddhism and policy failures at that time in Joseon. The second is that, in the process of reorganizing the power structure after enthronement of Myeongjong, Confucius scholar groups(士林) collapsed (Eul-myo Sahwa) and the power of Queen Munjeong wasstrengthened. Myeongjong’s weak personality also played a part there. In other words, the task of the times as ‘the request for solutions according to institutional problems’ and the ‘fall of Confucius scholar groups and the division of Confucianism’ completed the complex structure that made Queen Munjeong’s Buddhist revival possible. Finally, this paper shows that Bow’s role was rather limited than known. In addition, it makes more clear that there was no opportunity for the reversal due to the low level of the monks at that time and the lack of active will for improvement even though the period of revival lasted 15 years.