禪宗美學硏究의 初步的 探索

Abstract

There is a certain inseparable and inherent inter-connectedness between religion, esthetics and art. It is because that both religion and art are based on 'imagination' which gives new values and a big encouragement to our life and living, resulting basic changes of the spiritual and cultural aspect of human life. Seon school, especially, emphasizes the ultimate truth of life. The theory of Seon Buddhism esthetics is not a perfect esthetics one but there is no denying that Seon Buddhism esthetics contains, to some extent, certain elements of esthetics. I presented the basic theory of Seon Buddhism esthetics systematically and foresaw it's future prospect. I tried to set up the basic foundation of Seon Buddhism esthetics studies by establishing the objects and scope of Seon esthetics and dividing the system of thought, the point of contact between Seon and esthetics and etc. The object of Seon Buddhism esthetics is Seon master's distinctive activities of esthetics. Seon Buddhism esthetics is about the existence, meaning, and value of human life. It is, essentially, life esthetics that seeks a sort of freedom of life. "Tao is from the enlightenment of Mind (道由心悟)" is the main theme of Seon thought and esthetics which was proposed by many Seon masters. In other words, the process of enlightenment is the process of esthetics realization or cognition. True nature (眞如) and self-nature (自性) are the very nature of esthetic essence. In the study of Seon Buddhism esthetics, we should not stop in seeking only the historical trace corresponding to the bibliographic records. It is quite natural for us to examine, excavate, organize, and analyze the philosophical materials of Seon school. Further more, our study should be focused to the realistic and practical discussions understood by every modern people where Seon Buddhism esthetics be in harmony with modern esthetics.