중국 근대 居士佛敎의 성격과 사회적 역할

Abstract

Historically, a Buddhist devotee's rolein China included three tasks: defense of religion against ideologies and other political issues, taking care of others in need and suggestion of new doctrines. But China had to face the national crisis due to Western powers' invasion in modern days. In response, their national spirits had awakened, leading to the seeking of solution from Buddhism which had become the national religion. Nonetheless, the Buddhism in China faltered and waned in Ching Dynasty and only the tradition of a religious activity of Buddhist devotees by Peng Je Chung's Gong Yang School was left. Furthermore, the person who had re-created Buddhism studies in modern period was a Buddhist devotee, Yang Wen-hui. Yang founded Geumneunggakgyeongcheo to disseminate the scriptures andestablished the Buddhism studies research circle to discuss the buddhist temple of jeta's forest and Buddhism studies. Ouyang Jingwu who inherited him cultivated a slew of talents by building Zhina Buddhism Academy, the first-ever official educational institute in China. Moreover, he helped Buddhist devotees stir up their autonomous activities beside the existing group of monks of conservative propensity. Religious activities of Buddhist devotees include development of Buddhism studies, cultivation of talents, and Buddhist activities of various groups with the devotees at the center. In the process, what is different than the Buddhist devotees was that they refused to be part of a certain group and formed and engaged in the autonomous activities.