孔子의 儒敎 創立에 관한 康有爲의 관점 - 康有爲의 『孔子改制考』를 중심으로

Abstract

“Is Confucius a religious leader establishing Confucianism or simply a successor and a messenger of it?” The answer is not simple at all since, depending on answers, interpretations on position of Confucius, the writer of Six Confucian Classics (六經) and correlation between Confucius and establishment of Confucianism can differ. In genealogy of general Dotong (道統), Confucius is simply a successor and a messenger of Confucianism. Kang Yuwei (康有爲) totally denied the existing, traditional relation in succession and attempted created approach to history of Confucianism and position of Confucius, which was systematically demonstrated on the book Gongjagaejego (孔子改制考). This book defined that Confucianism was newly established by Confucius and that the book was the summation of ancient institution and culture and considered Six Confucian Classics as Confucius’ works. Furthermore, it argued that Confucius, as the religious leader for Confucianism, was qualified enough to be a king (素王) who led institutional reform based on Confucianism, which revealed his unique perspective on Confucianism and Confucius. These arguments can be considered to play a great role in reestablishing status of Confucianism and Confucius and strengthening the life of Confucianism. Therefore, Confucius and Confucianism interpreted by Kang Yuwei is not deterioration or discontinuity in existing Confucian traditions or history. Instead, it can be assessed to well suggest role and directivity of Confucianism that has been modified in tune with the times.