근대 금강산 권역의 사찰 현황과 불교사적 의미

Abstract

This article summarizes the information based on travel records and various statistical data to examine the current status of buddhist temples in the modern Geumgang Mountain area. According to the official geography book in the late Joseon Dynasty, we can see that there were about 30 buddhist temples. However, it is said that there were more than 100 temples in the travel records written by the aristocrats. This difference is because the number of temples was recognized differently depending on the purpose of publication, the government data recorded temples with a large size and tradition, and the travel records of the aristocrats recorded all small hermitages. In this article, the current status of temples in the modern Geumgang Mountain area was examined by dividing it into the end of the 19th century and the colonial period. The current situation at the end of the 19th century was examined through two travel records, and it was confirmed that there were about 30 temples. In addition, the travel records described the images of temples and monks, which helped to examine the changes in Buddhism in the Mt. Geumgang area. Yujeomsa Temple, which was the headquarters of temples in the Mt. Geumgang area during the colonial period, published various data to report to the Japanese Government-General, we can grasp the current status of the temples through it. These data indicate that about 35 to 39 temples were located in the Mt. Geumgang area. The historical and traditional temples of Mt. Geumgang became a symbol of modernity as they were developed as a tourist destination during the colonial period. On the other hand, Mt. Geumgang was recognized as a place to represent the independence and identity of the nation in the intervention and rule of Japan. Today, divided into South and North Korea, the temples of Mt. Geumgang can serve as the key to reunification. Singyesa Temple in Mt. Geumgang has already been restored through cooperation of both sides. Both South and North Korea share the history and tradition of Mt. Geumgang. Therefore, the temples of Mt. Geumgang have Buddhist historical significance in that they can lead to future-oriented cooperation for reunification of both sides.