참회와 회과를 통해 본 중국불교

Abstract

In Buddhism, there are rituals for repenting of one's misdeeds: "the ritual of repentance" and "ritual of confession." In Mahayana Buddhism, repentance is mainly performed to various buddhas, and in China, Daoan (312-385) first established the "Confessional Rituals on Uposatha (布薩差使悔過等法)" in his writing Regulations for Monks and Nuns (僧尼規範). Repentance and the confession of transgressions became important rituals connected to the Bodhisattva Precepts. In early Indian Buddhism, repentance mainly focused on eliminating individual sins. However, in China, repentance was accepted as a ritual to bring about worldly benefits, and also to prevent disasters and promote national well-being. For example, it is said that one emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty had offered repentance to overcome the influence of an "evil star," which suddenly appeared one day. This belief is based on the theory that man and heaven are interrelated, and that the wickedness of the ruler brings about national disasters. In China, the ritual of repentance was consolidated, and various forms of this ritual were established, including rituals of veneration and vows. These rituals were accepted not only in China but also in Korea and Japan as rites that benefit one in this world. Buddhist rituals of repentance and confession also developed into rituals that expunged one's crimes and fulfilled one's worldly desires. Buddhist rituals of repentance and confession originated in India, but in East Asia, combined with the idea that disasters were caused by human misdeeds, they took on the magical character of benefiting one in this world. This change happened in accordance with the culture and customs of each country. In East Asia, rituals of repentance and confession became rituals that prevent disaster and expunge sin, a belief that persists to this day.