백양사 불복장(佛腹藏) 계보와 묵담대종사의 불복장 중흥

Abstract

The bulbokjang practice, a unique ritual of Korean Buddhism that had been transmitted to date since the Joseon period, was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Property in 2019. This study examines the lineage of bulbokjang practice at Baegyangsa and Master Mukdam Seongu, who was ordained and active at Baegyangsa, as the reviver of the bulbokjang practice. The ritual lineage of bulbokjang at Baegyangsa can be reconstructed as follows:Yeondam Yuil (1720-1799), Hwadam Beomnin (1843-1902), Geumhae Gwanyeong (1856-1937), Mukdam Seongu (1896-1981), and Dowol Sujin (b. 1948). The bulbokjang practice still retains its original form since Master Mukdam adhered to the traditional bulbokjang practice. He preserved and passed on the traditional bulbokjang practice amidst the reformation of Korean Buddhism, which often resulted in simplification of Buddhist rituals. My investigation also reveals that the bulbokjang practice was transmitted among masters who had close connection to the Baegyangsa lineage. The lineage of bulbokjang practice has not received due attention in previous studies. My examination not only provides a corrective to past scholarship, but also casts new light on Baegyangsa’s bulbokjang lineage and Master Mukdam’s practice of bulbokjang.