가야불교 전래 관련 쟁점 재검토― 『삼국유사』에 언급된 불교용어와 음역어(音譯語)를 중심으로

Abstract

Ever since it was mentioned in Samgukyusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), Gaya, the name of an ancient Korean kingdom, has been the center of controversy over the issues of whether it actually existed or not, and of its relationship with the introduction of Buddhism to Korean peninsular. In particular, with regard to Buddhism, the state name of Garak(駕洛), Ayuta(阿踰陀) from which region Buddhism was said to be imported to ancient Korea, and the connection time have been controversial. To explore these issues, this study reviewed previous studies and transliterations of Buddhist scriptures to define the truth or falsehood of Gaya Buddhist mentioned in Samgukyusa. The findings of this study are outlined below. First, existing theories related to the Gaya state name include 1) the Buddhist name place known as Buddha-Gayā in India, 2) Gaya's fish worship faith since Gaya means fish in South Indian Dravidian, and 3) Korean phonological change. However, this writer explored Samgukyusa's Eosanbulyeong(魚山佛影) tale and corresponding transliterations, finding that the word Gaya came from nagarahāra mentioned as Nageragal(那揭羅曷). In particular, this place was found to have been a trade hub connecting the West and East in ancient times, and part of Gandhara from which region Buddhist scriptures and images were brought to China. Second, with regard to existing theories related to the origin from which Buddhism was brought to Gaya, which include 1) Ayuta(阿踰陀) was an imaginary city created after Rāmāyana and 2) South India in relation to South India's fish worship faith, this writer complemented the existing theories and saw the area as an actual city in the middle and north region in ancient India. Third, with regard to the Gaya Buddhism preaching time, attention was paid to ‘Sanggyo(像敎)’ mentioned in Samgukyusa's PasaSeokdap(婆娑石塔). Apart from the general understanding or interpretation of ‘Sanggyo=Buddhism’, if the word Sanggyo is originally meant as Buddha image and Buddha teaching, it can be translated as being unable to build temples due to the absence of Buddha image and Buddhist scriptures. In other words, if this interpretation is allowed, the Gaya Buddhism preaching time can be traced back to the early founding time of Gaya depending on the interpretation of Sanggyo.