新羅 占察法會와 密敎

Abstract

Previous studies have described Jeomchal Buddhist Mass as Esoteric Buddhism due to its practice of divination (占) and Wonkwang (圓光)’s practice of healing. However, Jeomchal Buddhist Mass changed its religious contents with the passage of time. For its part, Esoteric Buddhism was not limited to such eccentric practices as incantation and healing. It was indeed systematic Buddhism, as it had cultivation and rites for becoming a Buddha. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of Esoteric Buddhism on the change in Jeomchal Buddhist Mass. Jeomchal Buddhist Mass encouraged cultivation in the following manners and order: observing past wrongdoings (業), repentance, ordination (受戒), and observing karmic results. In the beginning, it had focused just on past wrongdoings without observing the karmic results. However, it later introduced the step of observing karmic results after Silla’s unification, thereby completing the entire ritual process. The era when such change happened corresponds to the height of Esoteric Buddhism. Thus, it appears that Esoteric Buddhism’s emphasis on rites had an impact on the change that took place in Jeomchal Buddhist Mass. In particular, Jeomchal Buddhist Mass had its own cultivation rite, Jeomchal Worship, which is the repentance ceremony. This ceremony was adopted by the Odaesan Faith, Silla’s unique religion that strived to realize the vision of the world sought by Esoteric Buddhism. Jinpyo (眞表) fully established Jeomchal Buddhist Mass in Silla by pursuing the cultivation method of sacrificing his body and by using a new platform-making method that utilized 189 sticks. Jeomchal Buddhist Mass had close connections with Esoteric Buddhism in terms of repentance for cultivation, systematic rites, and a unique platform-making method rather than the practice of divination.