일제하 조선불교 포교당의 현황과 활동 양상

Abstract

Under Japanese rule, Korean Buddhism faced a number of challenges to solve, including systematic reinterpretation of Buddhist doctrine, popular- centered Buddhism in monk-centered Buddhism, social projects using temple resources, and competition with other religions, including Christianity. Among these tasks, the Buddhist Propagation Center played an important role in the popularization of Buddhism and the realization of social work. It was after the March 1st Movement that the 30th headquarters began to actively respond to the the problem of training of Buddhist missionary. However, such a plan for the 30th headquarters was pushed back in January 1922 when the 30th headquarters convention confirmed the promotion of the Junganghangnim to a specialized school. However, the general affairs office also actively participated in Buddhist missionary training center and established the Joseon Buddhist Academy, a missionary training center, in Seoul in November 1922. The Joseon Buddhist Academy was not only about Buddhism, but also aimed for a high-quality curriculum, so ordinary people wanted to enter. However, the Joseon Buddhist Academy has been suspended since 1924. On the other hand, when looking at the increasing trend of the Buddhist Propagation Center under the Japanese colonial rule, they increased significantly in 1923, 1926, and 1934, respectively. In particular, the increase in the Buddhist Propagation Center in 1934 was accompanied by an increase in believers. The rapid increase in the number of propagandists and believers from 1934 was related to the psychological development movement conducted by the Japanese government since 1935. The establishment of the Buddhist Propagation Center under the Japanese colonial rule was roughly divided into eight types. Among these types, the Buddhist Propagation Center directly operated by the headquarters ranked first. Regarding the establishment of the Buddhist Propagation Center, it is notable that the Buddhist Propagation Center have been established in foreign regions such as Japan, China, and Manchuria. And it is worth noting that at the end of the Japanese colonial rule, more the Buddhist Propagation Center were established in Hamgyeongdo, especially in Hamgyeongbuk-do, than in the Samnam area. On the other hand, in terms of the role and activities of the Buddhist Propagation Center, the the Buddhist Propagation Center played an important role in the activities of each local Buddhist organization. In addition, the the Buddhist Propagation Center provided a lot of help to children and locals who struggled to learn due to economic difficulties by operating various teaching institutions. Another notable point in the the Buddhist Propagation Center activities was the operation of kindergartens and Sunday schools. At the same time It is worth noting that the Buddhist Propagation Center activities were used as cultural spaces for various performances and rallies. For example, the Buddhist Propagation Center ran a library and held Buddhist weddings. The role of the Buddhist Propagation Center under the Japanese colonial rule was not only positive but also negative. Since the mid-1930s, as Japanese imperialism has been strengthened, the Buddhist Propagation Center in each region have been transformed into places where national Buddhism is practiced. This negative aspect of the Buddhist Propagation Center was due to the inherent limitations of the emergence of Joseon Buddhism as a system of Orthodox unity under the Japanese colonial rule. Despite these limitations, the fact that the Jogye Order’s General Headquarters conducted the first missionary qualification test in 1944 can be seen as meaningful in the modernization process of Korean Buddhism.