17세기 유학자의 불교인식 변화

Abstract

This study concerns a Confucian scholar's changing perception of Buddhism in the 17th Century through the examination of the changed Buddhist policy of the Joseon government from the post-Imjin War period. To analyze a common understanding of Buddhism of Confucian scholars and changes in the perception, two representative Confucian scholars of the 16th century, Yi Hwang and Yi Yi, have been brought to the center of examination. Through this process, it is verified that they consistently held a negative view of Buddhism. And it is possible to regard their thought as a universal perception of Buddhism at the time. However, when Japan invaded the Joseon Dynasty at the end of 16th century, Buddhist priests from all around the country spontaneously fought against the invaders and defended the country. Confucian scholars, who had accused Buddhist priests of desolating their parents and the lord, started to change their thoughts after witnessing Buddhist priests sacrificing their lives for the country. After the Imjin War, Confucian officials guaranteed their social status as a Buddhist priest by adopting the priest-army policy and even held a benevolent attitude toward Buddhists. This change in the perception can be verified by examining introductions of Buddhist priests' anthology or epitaphs which were written by Confucian scholars. Currently existing works of those kinds are, as a whole, 48 copies; 17 Buddhist anthologies written by 14 Confucian scholars in the 17th century, 31 introductions by 18 Confucian scholars. After removing overlapping works of the same author, there are 26 scholars’ introductions existing now. When one considers the fact that there were none of introductions or epitaphs written by Confucian scholars before the war, this fact could prove that there was a significant change in Confucian scholars' perception of Buddhism in the 17th century.