곡성(谷城) 대안사(大安寺) 철불에 대한 일고(一考)

Abstract

Daean-sa (大安寺) Temple in Gokseong-gun district was founded by Seon teacher Jeogin-seonsa Hyecheol (寂忍禪師 慧徹). According to the Details of Activities in Taean-sa Temple in Dongni-san Mountain (桐裡山泰安寺事蹟) recorded in Records of Taean-sa Temple (泰安寺志), two iron Bhaiṣajyaguru Buddhas were produced for Daean-sa Temple (present Taean-sa Temple). Currently, however, only an Iron Hand of the Buddha survives instead of the complete Buddha statue. The Iron Hand of the Buddha would have been the right hand making Abhaya-mudrā (施無畏印), with the hand stretched forward. The main Buddha statues produced for the Silsang-sa (實相寺) Temple, Samhwa-sa (三和寺) Temple, and Seongju-sa (聖住寺) Temple were Vairocana Buddha (盧舍那佛) and the main Buddha of Daean-sa Temple would also have been Vairocana Buddha at the time of the foundation of Dongni-san School. The Iron Vairocana Buddha of the Main Hall (金堂) of the Daean-sa Temple would have been recorded as iron Bhaiṣajyaguru Buddha according to the common practice at the time of recording the Details of Activities later. Daean-sa Temple of Dongni-san School expanded its influence with the support of the royal family of Yeyeong lineage (禮英系王室) and installed the Banner of Prohibiting Hunting Activities (禁殺幢). Hyecheol would have commissioned the iron Buddha, powered by his enormous wealth, to soothe and enlighten the local people after the death of Jang Bogo (張保皐) in 841. This was also one of the ways in accordance with the King Munseong (文聖王) who embraced the monks by supporting the provincial Seon temples such as Silsang-sa and Seongju-sa. The iron Buddha of Daean-sa Temple would have been perceived as the sacred statue that serves as the magnet that won the local people’s hearts when they were continually suffering under the frequent warfare.