근·현대불교에서퇴옹성철의 역할과 백일법문의 위치

Abstract

Buddhist Teachings for 100 Days are the Buddhist writings unfolded by Buddhist Priest Sŏngch’ŏl, who was the first chief priest of Haeinchongrim, for 100 days starting on December 4, 1967. Even though they covered massive content, they were organized minutely and addressed based on a well-prepared lecture plan. In his Buddhist Teachings for 100 Days, Buddhist Priest Sŏngch’ŏl cited from about 80 scriptures and treatises and covered even the achievements of modern Buddhist studies, thus establishing a system of Buddhist ideology. The stage set for Buddhist Teachings for 100 Days was Haeinchongrim, which was born out of Buddhism purification. Haeinchongrim represented the establishment of a physical foundation for education and performance. Being only a physical foundation, however, it was not able to secure ideological content or performance culture. Answering the call of these times, Buddhist Teachings for 100 Days played a decisive role in the establishment of its ideological content and performance culture. Based on Buddhist Teachings for 100 Days, Buddhist Priest Sŏngch’ŏl built a basis for Haeinchongrim including the enhancement of the spirit of entering the Buddhist priesthood, presentation of a desirable image of Buddhist priests, declaration of enlightenment for enlightenment's sake, and presentation of Gugyeonggak called Donodonsu. Enlightenment for enlightenment’s sake presented in Buddhist Teachings for 100 Days and the Ganhwaseon-based performance culture have been the ideological pillar to support the spiritual world of Buddhist priests in modern Buddhism of South Korea. In South Korea, Buddhism has been overwhelmed by enlightenment for enlightenment’s sake, performance-centric culture, and middle path ideas presented by Buddhist Priest Sŏngch’ŏl for the last 50 years since his Buddhist Teachings for 100 Days. The findings show that Buddhist Teachings for 100 Days were born in the background of the birth and settlement of modern Buddhism and played a pivotal role in erecting the confusing Buddhist priesthood after Buddhism purification upright and establishing the spiritual world of modern Buddhism.