칠칠재의 전형과 변용의 파노라마

Abstract

This writing considers the archetype of Chilchiljae (七七齋, the weekly ritual for seven weeks) after death in Korean Buddhism and its variation from the perspective of the ritual. The name of Chilchiljae, popular nowadays, used in recent years. According to the Buddhist concept of life and death, it is said that human beings can be reborn in a better world as a result of both their own wholesome deeds and Chilchiljae others perform for antarrābhava (中有, the intermediate existence) during 49 days after their death. the essence of Chilchiljae is the ceremony of inviting The ten kings of hell (冥府十王) to the offering for the sake of the dead, whose objective is to encourage people to do good. Another ritual for the virtue of the dead is beopseok (法席, Dharma seat), where people chant sutras for the dead. Yeongasnjae (靈山齊, Vulture Peak ritual) originated from Beopwha Beopseok (Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Dharma seat), a form of beopseok. The rite of jeonggeun (精勤, fervent discipline), where they chant buddhas’ and Bodhisattvas’ name, is active in Chilchiljae. But the main guests of the offering have been changing from The ten kings of hell (冥府十王) to Kṣitigarbha (Earth Store Bodhisattva) in modern and contemporary Chilchiljae. It might be because the positive image of Kṣitigarbha is preferred to the negative one of The ten kings of hell. It can be said that Chilchiljae is a channel of communication and the practice of faith for both the dead and the living.