解悟와 四善根의 관련성에 관한 일고찰 - 무주당(無住堂) 청화(淸華)선사의 견해를 중심으로

Abstract

The understanding-awakening(解悟) is similar to the stages of the four wholesome roots(四善根) in that through both of them a practitioner can obtain the unenlightened understanding about things as they really are(如實 知解). Since such understanding can also be named as enlightenment in appearance(相似覺), we can say that both of them are also similar from the angle of enlightenment in appearance. Moreover, as the understandingawakening is based on combined practice of śamatha and vipaśyanā(止觀兼 修), so is the practice for attaining the four wholesome roots. Thus, the method of acquisition is also common to both of them. On the other hand, because this unenlightened understanding about things as they really are or enlightenment in appearance leads to fundamental change in the awareness system of the practitioner and sudden change in her recognition, we can call it sudden awakening(頓悟). Therefore, the following venerable Cheonghwa’s consideration is regarded as appropriate: “The understanding- awakening(解 悟) indicates sudden awakening(頓悟) of unenlightened understanding about things as they really are(如實知解) in the stages of the four wholesome roots(四善根 位); it is still in the level of ordinary people.”