실록을 통해 본 조선왕조의 불교관 : 밀교 의례를 중심으로

Abstract

As the Joseon dynasty began to elevate Confucianism as its governing ideology, oppression against Buddhism was immediately enforced from the inception of the state, leading to a precarious existence for Buddhism. In an era where merely being associated with Buddhism was enough to warrant oppression, Buddhism managed to maintain its lineage to some extent because Confucianism lacked a religious dimension. When faced with crises that could not be easily resolved for the state or individuals, spiritual solace and guidance were desperately sought. However, Confucianism could not fulfill such yearnings. In an era where Buddhism was only recognized through its religious aspect, esoteric Buddhist rituals, such as the Buddhist rite of water and land, provided comfort in times of crisis such as illness, death, or natural disasters. As a result, the practice of esoteric Buddhism flourished even more in the Joseon Dynasty compared to other Buddhist sects. Nevertheless, when examining the Veritable Records, it is evident that there was a persistent tense relationship between the rulers and the Confucian scholarofficials, regarding the issue of permitting esoteric Buddhist rituals. The Confucian scholars, dissatisfied with the exclusive dominance of Confucianism in Joseon society, sought to eradicate Buddhism entirely, while the kings occasionally intervened to prevent their excessive oppression. This paper aims to illuminate how esoteric Buddhism, and subsequently Buddhism, managed to exist in ritualistic forms in Joseon as a result of the tension between the kings and the Confucian scholar-officials.