정몽주의 여말선초 종교지형의 변화에 대한 인식 - 현대 다종교․다문화사회에 대한인식을 위한 제언 -

Abstract

The paper tries to find clues of how we should understand the present multi-religious and multicultural South Korean society from Jeong Mong-ju’s recognition of the religious change at the transitional time from Goryeo to Joseon. The end of the Goryeo dynasty was characteristic of political reforms, challenges and a dynastic revolution, which were highly related to religious changes, and there existed no supreme religion but a variety of religious traditions maintained each unique features and contributed to forming the cultural diversity of Goryeo, which is not consistent with James H. Grayson’s claim that a specific religion was dominant or highly influential in each period of the Korean history. Jeong sought to harmony between Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism, while he was critical of the Buddhism of his days and contributed to the shift from Buddhism to Neo-Confucianism as the leading religion. Also, he could develop religious tolerance by experiencing diverse religions from his frequent diplomatic visit to Ming China and Japan. This paper offers from Jeong’s recognition of the multicultural and multi-religious phenomenon at the transitional time, two keys to understand and react to the on-going religious changes in South Korea. First, Jeong, as a Confucian scholar, sought to understand the opposite religion, Buddhism and keep scholarly relationship with monks. As the number of immigrants to South Korea, whose religious backgrounds are diverse, grows, South Koreans, especially those of religion, need to understand and develop tolerance for other religious traditions. Second, Jeong tried to recognize the contemporary multicultural society of Goryeo. The immigrants to South Korea bring their own culture and South Korea is becoming culturally more diverse. Especially, as more immigrants from Islamic countries reside in South Korea, it needs to deepen its understanding of the Islamic culture.