의천의 사상에 관한 북한의 선행연구 비판적 고찰 - 향후 의천의 사상 관련 남북한 공동연구 가능성 탐색 -

Abstract

In this study, the preceding research on Euicheon’s ideology in North Korea was critically examined, and the preceding study in South Korea and North Korea was integrated to find the a way to develop the study on Korean Buddhist history including Euicheon’s ideas was searched for. In the preceding study in North Korea, Euicheon’s Buddhist ideology has been analyzed theoretically more closely as years go by, and is being devaluated as a mystic idealism for the ruling class in the feudal society. Accordingly, in this study, the preceding research in North Korea was theoretically refuted, and the change was particularly focused on the fact that Euicheon had established Gyojangdogam and described the achievement of publishing “Sinpyeonjejonggyojangchongrok” in detail. The simple logical criticism of the preceding study in North Korea seems to have limitations for the integration of those in South Korea and North Korea and help the study of Korean Buddhist history improve. Therefore, centered around the cultural heritage of Korean Buddhism that both North Korea and South Korea share without a sense of difference, such as Euicheon’s “Sinpyeonjejonggyojangchongrok”, the research method on the values of the moral culture in it was discussed. On the other hand, in the preceding study of North Korea, the history of Korean philosophy has been described critically from a consistent viewpoint of materialistic social reform. Euicheon accepted the Confucian administration theory and claimed the currency reform through Jujeon theory, and he was a practical social philosopher who reformed the examination system to select Buddhist monks. Yet, in the preceding research in North Korea, Euicheon’s social ideas have never been mentioned, and Euicheon has been depreciated as a philosopher who represented the noble Buddhism of the royal family in order to help the ruling class maintain their vested rights. Hence, as the method to integrate the preceding study in South Korea and North Korea, the study on Korean Buddhist history including Euicheon’s thoughts, and the investigation into finding the social ideologies of the Buddhist thinkers representing Korea was discussed.