破僧事의 구가리에 관한 고찰

Abstract

In its characteristics as the separation of Buddhist sect, the saṃgha-bheda is not an event that one person Devadatta could control. It was possible because there were many followers around him. Kokālika was one of four key members who followed Devadatta to the last. Therefore, the correct comprehension on Kokālika has the meaning in that it widens our understanding on the fundamental Buddhism of the saṃgha-bheda and Buddha's later life. Actually, Kokālika was involved in the whole aspects of the saṃgha-bheda. From the point that the saṃgha-bheda was decided by Devadatta, Kokālika began to follow him. After the saṃgha-bheda, in the restraint against Sariputra and Maudgalyayana and in the process that Devadatta's error was pointed out and most of his followers were led back by Sariputra and Maudgalyayana, much of the responsibility lay on Kokālika. Thus, he went together with Devadatta from the beginning to the end of the saṃgha-bheda. So, Kokālika was the next most essential person to Devadatta in the saṃgha-bheda. When it is considered that the saṃgha-bheda was raised by a group, the role of the helper must have been very important. Despite it, when dealing with this problem, we have given too much focus on one person Devadatta up to now. Through the study on Kokālika, we can attain the more plausible recognition about how Devadatta could get and keep his supporting group and why the key followers did not return to Buddhist sect but kept on following Devadatta. With this, we can secure higher understanding about the saṃgha-bheda. Thus, Kokālika is an indispensable person in our understanding about the saṃgha-bheda and the monk organization of early Buddhism.