西山 禪詩에 나타난 역설의 패러다임

Abstract

Seosan‘s literature is represented by Zen poetry. Some scholars discovered that basic spirit behind Seosan's Zen poetry lies in paradoxical quality of Buddhist revelation, and thus they conducted researches concentrating on the expressive method of his poetry. As a result of reviewing Seosan's Zen poems through arranging them under comprehensive principle, I concluded that the major literary characteristics found in Seosan's Zen poems are ‘Expression of negation’, ‘Expression of nil’, ‘Transcendence of time and space’ as well as ‘Emptiness and inseparability.’'Expression of negation' contains affirmation in itself, or involves denial and affirmation simultaneously, and I have come to understand that expression of negation was used from Seosan's intention to indicate innate mind that was not conceptualized. As for 'Expression of nil,' the 'nil' represents absoluteness of truth, rather than confrontational meaning between something vs. nothing. 'Transcendence of time and space' is also demonstrated at the 'Expression of nil.''Emptiness and inseparability' is the principle of integrating both phenomenon and substantiality, which is materialized through fusion of the nature and tathata, discrimination and equality, as well as reality and tao. As such, the central topic shown at Seosan's Zen poetry is paradox. Paradox in Seosan's poetic world realizes the spirit of Zen that pursues transcendence and integration of contradiction. It is embodiment of enlightened spirit which is core of all things in the universe. The world pursued by Zen is boundary of nirvana. The point that nirvana is accommodated into the literature of Zen sect is an important poetic characteristic of Zen poetry. In this context, the paradox of Seosan's Zen poetry can be defined in its meaning as the principle of 'Bansang-Hapdo' and nirvana-oriented poetic spirit. However I realized further necessity to conduct in-depth research on aesthetic characteristic which was formed by paradox of words and paradox of situation.