임진왜란 의승군 활동과 그 불교사적 의미

Abstract

Imjin Wae'ran(壬辰倭亂), the war in which the Joseon people fought the Japanese troops which invaded the Korean peninsula in 1592, continued for seven years and naturally had huge repercussions for the entire Joseon dynasty. Yet it was also an important turning point for the Joseon Buddhist community as well. Examined in this article are the actions of a Buddhist master named Cheong'heo Hyu'jeong/淸虛 休靜 and the actions of his disciples, and also the efforts and accomplishments of the Righteous Buddhist Army (Eui'seung-gun/義僧軍) which was led by Cheong'heo Hyu'jeong. Also examined are what kind of sacrifices the Buddhist priests were forced to make, how they were compensated for their efforts, how the public's view of Buddhism changed for the better, and what was the general meaning of the Euiseung-gun's activities during the war in terms of the history of Korean Buddhism. Hyu'jeong was a Buddhist master who represented the Buddhist community in Joseon at the time. When the war broke out, he served as General Master in Command of the Eight Provinces' Buddhist Society("Paldo Do-Chong'seob"/ 八道都摠攝), and his disciples including Sa'myeong Yu'jeong/四溟 惟政 commanded more than five thousand Righteous Buddhist troops all around the country. They joined major battles at Pyeong'yang/平壤 and the Haengju Sanseong/幸州山城 fortress, as well as several battles at sea, and also led other types of wartime efforts such as constructing fortresses or transporting food supplies. Yu'jeong was also responsible for taking over important diplomatic negotiations for a cease fire to end the war peacefully. Yet during the war, the Buddhist community also had to suffer massive human losses and economic damages. The Buddhist priests' general trend of concentrating in character-building exercises took a hit as well. But as it became a general practice to utilize the Buddhist troop organizations and their labor force (even after the war), the social status of the Buddhist priests were reviewed and newly recognized, and such new recognition became an important institutional platform for future Buddhist activities. The war ironically highlighted the importance and religious merits of Buddhism once again, and the public's perception of the Buddhist community changed entirely, as they came to view it as an embodiment of loyalty and righteousness, and an organization which managed to save the country from a dynastic crisis as well. The Buddhist community finally secured a supportive base inside the Joseon society.