조선후기 서울 지역 비구니사찰의 분포와 특징

Abstract

This study examines the distribution and characteristics of bhikkhuni temples in Seoul based on a list of 426 bhikkhuni temples from the late Joseon period. There were eight active temples for the 426 bhikkhuni active in the Seoul area in the late Joseon period: 234 at the Mita Temple in Oksu-dong; 12 at the Mita Temple in Bomun-dong; 85 at the Bomun Temple; 37 at the Bongeun Temple; 27 at the Cheongnyang Temple; 14 at the Cheongryong Temple; nine at the Suguk Temple; seven at the Jingwan Temple, and one at the Heungcheon Temple. Comparison and analysis of this list revealed that five temples were operated as independent bhikkhuni temples, including the Mita Temple in Oksu-dong, Mita Temple in Bomun-dong, Bomun Temple, Cheongnyangsa Temple, and Cheongnyongsa Temple. The Jingwan Temple Hyanghyangam is presumed to have been operated as an independent bhikkhuni hermitage within the Jingwan Temple. The characteristics of the bhikkhuni temples in the Seoul area in the late Joseon period can be divided in four categories. First, the bhikkhuni temples in the Seoul area in the late Joseon period had an intimate relationship with the royal family. Second, the bhikkhuni in Seoul during the late Joseon period had continuous exchanges with Mt. Geumgang, and claimed to have inherited Mt. Geumgang’s tradition of practice until modern times. Third, the activities of the bhikkhuni in the late Joseon period were concentrated in the four monasteries outside the capital: the Dumutgaeseungbang, Saejeolseungbang, Tapgolseungbang, and Dolgojiseungbang. Currently, the Dumutgaeseungbang is inherited as the Mita Temple in Oksu-dong, Saejeolseungbang is inherited as the Cheongnyong Temple, Tapgolseungbang is inherited as the Mita and Bomun Temple in Bomun-dong, and Dolgojiseungbang is inherited as the Cheongnyang Temple. Fourth, the bhikkhuni temples in the Seoul area maintained their own monastic communities from the 18th to 19th centuries. Although it is difficult to determine the actual status of temple operation before the 17th century because of scarcity of historical materials, it can be confirmed that Buddhist bhikkhuni independently operated the temple at least as early as the 18th century.