현대 한국불교의 현황과 전망

Abstract

Since independence, Korea-Buddhism has met change and adaptation, and confusion and hardship. If so, we may ask where the Korea-Buddhism is. Here, I would like to answer the question with data mostly getting from the National Statistical Office, and the Ministry of culture and tourism. According to the ministry of culture and tourism in 2002, Korea-Buddhism has more than 150 fraternities. Nowadays, experts pronounce more than 200 fraternities are jumbled. However, if categorizing fraternities, fraternities may divide into five category, such as orders of chan, orders of lotus tiantai, orders of metheya, orders of pureland, etc. If analyzing fraternities by the total number of Buddhist in Korea, eastregion has more Buddhist than westregion. Korea-Buddhism which has had no interest in the public has been changed since 1990. After reinvigorating the Korea-Buddhism press and broadcasting, there have too many publications in Korea. After that, Korea-Buddhism has begun to recognize the important of social welfare and operate or build many number of welfare facilities. Various welfare activities(such as nursing home, hospital, general welfare facility, rehabilitation facility, silver town, and etc.) are developed. Now those facilities are more than 555. Beside that, more than 338 number of prekindergarten and 361 number of cultural program are operating. Revitalizing Buddhism makes establishing and operating the numbers of Buddhist group. Buddhist groups by function and work place and a chorus and culture and art groups led by temple are increasing. With tendency of focusing on well-being and culture, staying in temple and activities for experiencing ecology are increasing. The other side of Korea-Buddhism changing after 1990 comes with requesting of the public and recognizing the Korea-Buddhism status of educated Buddhist priesthood in 70’s and 80’s. However, the prospect of Korea-Buddhism will not be an optimistic view. When Korea-Buddhism takes the multi-religion into consideration, the all above-mentioned activities are results for adopting and maintaining. According to data from the National Statistical Office, we can see Korea-Buddhism is inferior in numbers at especially the metropolitan and suburbs. For turning the tables, Korea-Buddhism should have to try to make identity and stability of the inside of the Korea-Buddhism body. Furthermore it is needed the education of apprentice and believer, and new management system of the Korea-Buddhism body. Too many fraternities may come from the uncertainty of identity. Not only adopting the changing of external environment but also minimizing inside conflicts are needed.