옥천사 사찰계 연구

Abstract

This paper examines the aspects of religious activities and assistant activities through the temple fraternities of Okcheon-sa Temple. Starting with the Gap-gye(甲契) in 1744, more than 17 different temple fraternities were active in this temple, including the Bulyu-gye(佛油契) in 1816, the Ji-gye(紙契) in 1820, the Jijang-gye(地藏契) in 1862, the Ingyanggye(印經契) in 1867, the Chilsung-gye(七星契) in 1894, and the Jangdeung-gye(長燈契) in 1906. In the difficult reality of the Joseon Dynasty, many temple fraternities supported the temple's finances and played a valuable role in uniting the faith.The Gwaneum-gye(觀音契) was an important example of the fact that the temple community is not a fossil in history but a religious activity that is still alive until recently. Okcheon-sa temple had 17 temple fraternities from 1744 to 1970. It continued religious activities and assistant activities for temples for 230 years. The fact that various temple fraternities were prevalent shows the fact that the finances of the temple were difficult. This is because they form a temple fraternities to overcome their economic shortfalls. However, from historical examples, it is actually the opposite. In other words, In other words, it can be interpreted that a temple with developed temple fraternities is likely to become as rich as it is. Okcheon-sa operated a Buddhist academy based on many temple fraternities and they also made efforts to nurture talented people by sending students to Japan as well as Seoul. Later, they donated the founding fund of Pusan National University. It was possible because such temple fraternities existed at the base of Okcheon-sa's social and educational projects.