정약용의 불교 이해와 차 문화 향유

Abstract

Dasan Jeong Yakyong, a representative intellectual in the new era of quest, was first contacted by Catholicism then exiled to Gangjin. He accomplished many academic achievements. Dasan was somewhat related to Buddhism during the Gangjin exile, having ties with several monks such as Hyejang and Ui Soon centered on the Baeknyeonsa and the Daedunsa. He tried to teach Confucian scriptures to the monks. He led the compilation of the history of Daedunsa and Baeknyunsa, which were the centers of Buddhism at that time. And he wrote the Daedong-seongyo-go, describing early Korean Buddhist history. Despite many interactions with monks, the basic Buddhist view was as negative as previous Confucian scholars had been. Dasan strongly pointed out the Buddhist dissolution in discussing the measures that had been offered to Jeongjo. He did not recognize the monks whom he interacted with, but he did not evaluate the Buddhist study or Seon practice of the monks. The attitude is quite different from the intention of the intellectual who sought a new thought. Dasan gained much knowledge about tea from books from China. He considered tea as a medicinal rather than a favorite food. It is known that Dasan taught tea to Hyejang, Uisoon, etc. But he urged Hyejang to send tea a month after their first meeting. It means that Hyejang had already manufactured and propagated tea before meeting Dasan. It is clear that Dasan played a major role in the rise of tea culture in late Joseon. This role and the path of acquiring tea knowledge and manufacturing tea should be distinguished.