법정사 항일운동 주동세력의 성격에 대한 재검토

Abstract

Beobjung Temple’s resistance movement against Japan between Oct 5th and 7th, 1918 by Kim Yeon Il, the head monk of Beobjung Temple, and 400 residents in Jeju Island, has always been claimed as a buddhist-led movement. This research questions the validity of this claim, and proves this movement was actually led by Taeulgyo(太乙敎) according to unused historical records. The materials used for the research are “About Taeulgyo”, a report written by the General Staff Office of Chosun Military in 1922, “Case of Taeulgyo Propagation”, another report by the High Grade Police that was sent to the prime minister of Japan and other several departments in 1920, “Undeveloped Repository, Jeju”, published by Jeju-do Office in 1924, and etc. According to the materials, the leader of the movement, Kim Yeon Il was not a monk, but an executive from Taeulgyo. After the death of Kang Il Soon, his apprentice, Cha Kyung Seok created a new denomination, Sundogyo(仙道敎), and enlisted members from all around the country. Kim Yeon Il, originally from Youngil-gun Gyeongsangbuk-do, was inducted to become the head monk of Beobjeong Temple. Kim Yeon Il and Cha Kyung Seok initiated the resistance movement along with the members of Beobjung Temple in order to not only rise against the Japanese, but also to expand their congregation. Also, strictly speaking, Gwaneum Temple(觀音寺), the very first temple established in Jeju in Korean modern times, which played a key role assisting the foundation of Beobjung Temple, is not entirely a buddhism-based establishment either. Anbongnyeogwan built the Gwaneum Temple. Her religious experience indicates the peculiarities of Sundogyo. From its establishment of Sundogyo, Kang Il Soon claimed to be Maitreya Buddha and had a strong buddhist influence. Also, with help from some buddhist monks, he even disguised his members as a buddhist monk to protect them from Japan’s supervision while maintaining their agenda to expand congregation and resist Japan intact. Furthermore, the name of Beobjung Temple (法井寺), established around 1910, is hardly a buddhist term either. Interestingly, Cha Kyung Seok renamed Sungyodo and established Bocheongyo(普天敎), the symbol of which is “井.” This symbol signifies water nurturing all creation, meaning its moral influence on people. Thus, Beobjung Temple’s resistance movement against Japan in 1918 was led by Kim Yeon Il and the members of Taeulgyo (Sundogyo) with purpose to fight the Japanese in Jeju, and to foster their religion to prosper.