최제우의 하늘님과 귀신

Abstract

Choi Je-Wo advanced Donghak as an alternative to overcome the crisis of Chosun Dynasty in the 19th century. In the midst of all the crisis, he was wary of the infiltration of Western Powers among other things. Thus his top priority was to integrate the people's mind which was disorganized and falling apart. To resolve this critical situation Choi Je-Woo needed the creation of a new comunity based on new values and ethos. In this regard, his religious thought was also a political idea of crisis. Choi Je-Woo tried to encompass all the existing religions as an effective measure to unify people. Accordingly, his 'Hanulnim' meant Confucianism's 'Sangje', Catholicism's 'Chonju', Shamanism's 'Hanulnim' and 'Gwisin' itself. Gwisin was, in fact, the interface point which can combine all these gods together. On the basis of Chutzu's Gwisin theory, he explained the formation and transition of Heaven and Earth as well as Hanulnim who is in harmony with human beings by manifesting itself as enormous 'Gi'. However, Choi Je-Woo's Hanulnim made a break with Chutzu's Gwisin at the point of being united both 'Ri' and 'Gi' as Gi. The countermeasure ofered by Choi Je-Wo against the invasion of 19th century 'modern' Western Powers sugested the possibility which can newly integrate the subjects of Chosun society into the people in Nation-State.