원효의 화회(和會) 해석학을 통해 본 종교다원주의 - 종교성의 공동기반과 심층적 대화원리 -

Abstract

The present study is concerned with the issues of truth claims in Buddhist tradition focusing on Wonhyo's(607-676)'s theory of reconciliation and harmonization and its implication for contemporary discourse of religious pluralism. Of special relevance to this study are a series of interrelated issues: First, how does Wonhyo understand the relationship between Buddhism and other religions? Second, how does Wonhyo interpret the common ground of universal religions? Third, what is the principle of Wonhyo's hermeneutics of reconciliation and harmonization? Fourth, what is the methodological principle in Wonhyo's hermeneutics as methods of interreligious dialogue?Buddhist attitude to other religions has been regarded as tolerance and inclusivism which is originated by the Buddha. Following Mahayana idea of śūnyatā, Wonhyo develops the idea of pluralistic hermeneutics which harmonizes all disputes and truth claims among the Buddhist traditions. Wonhyo stated in the Thematic Essential of Nirvana-sūtra (Yeolbanjongyo, 涅槃宗要) that it united all sūtras from diverse traditions, returned countless branches of the truth to the one, proved the utmost fairness of Buddha thought, and finally reconciliated many disputes. Wonhyo not only reconciles different interpretations, but also and harmonizes all ambiguity and inconsistency in Buddhist scriptural texts. Wonhyo's intention was to explore the world of one Buddha mind which is a ground of his teaching. Wonhyo's attitudes to the world religions might not basically different from their attitudes towards other Buddhist schools. It stands for plural inclusivism. But this plural inclusivism is not metaphysical or theological; it does not elevate the uniqueness of a truth or its contexts to universal proportions. John Hick says that the great world faiths embody different perceptions and conceptions of, and correspondingly different responses to, the Real or the Ultimate. This view presupposes that there is one ultimate reality behind the world religions. It asserts that one ultimate reality, whether it is divine reality or not, manifests itself in various forms. There is a fundamental difference between such inclusivism and Wonhyo's view on religious pluralism. Wonhyo will not accept a fundamental unity of the world religions. In fact, as we have explored throughout the present study, such an absolute reality is metaphysical and must be deconstructed. Wonhyo's principle of reconciliation and harmonization can be applied to solve conflicting religious and ideological truth claims. Wonhyo proposes the Buddha-nature centered pluralism. For wonhyo, Buddha nature is a common ground for universal religions and great sages's teaching. The one mind as the essence of Buddha-nature is not a view of substantial reality, but it has an experiential dimension. It should be understood from the perspective of religious experience of 'returning one-mind'. Wonhyo's hermeneutics accepts diversity and difference in Buddhist scriptural texts. Wonhyo might be opposed to the traditional doctrinal classification (p'an-chiao, 判敎). Unfolding, limitless and boundless spirit of Wonhyo makes scriptural plurality harmonious. In this way, Wonhyo's hermeneutics might solve the problem of the conflict of truth deriving from scriptural plurality in Buddhism. Wonhyo seems to succeed in establishing the point that all the scriptures point toward one yana. Wonhyo's idea of harmonization and interpenetration of all Buddhist teachings leads to the middle way of scriptural truth. It is a kind of method of dialogue for reconciliation of truth claims. Wonhyo shows methodology of holistic understanding on the ultimate truth. Modern method of dialogue begins with the differences of each position, but Wonhyo try to solve the problem of conflicting truth claim through the insight of penetration on the truth first. An open mind free of all barriers and boundaries, should be the base for dialogue among the religions. Such approach shows us new way of depth dialogue. Wonhyo opens the way of depth dialogue among religions and ideology. Wonhyo's hermeneutics transcends all doctrinal beliefs and thoughts, and denies any dogmatic fixation of the truth or reality. It makes the apparently conflicting scriptures intelligible, and opens a boundless horizon for dialogical discourse.