흥천사의 역사와 사상

Abstract

In Heungcheonsa, corresponding to the status of the main temple of the Jogye Order, there were Gyeseongjeon in which a portrait of Hwanjo, the father of Taejo was enshrined, and the sarira edifice that enshrined the head skull sarira of Buddha, the Tripitaka, treasures, and the remains of Taejo. Heungcheonsa and the sarira edifice are believed to have been splendid and magnificent buildings with an enormous scale. As such, Heungcheonsa became the official temple of Joseon and served as a diplomatic stage with hospitality functions such as envoys’ quarters, Wimyeong, and worshiping ceremony, etc. Also, after Taejo's death, after Jeongreung was moved out of the city to Saeulhan, Heungcheonsa remained in the city to maintain its status as a key temple. Heungcheonsa was not only excluded from the process of reducing/integrating Buddhist temples and Buddhist sects at Taejong and Sejong era, which had a strong anti‐Buddhism policy but also it was exceptionally designated as a Zen Do-Hyoe place(都會所), and served as an agency for all order official duties. During the operation of Do-Hyoe place(都會所), it was responsible for the management of monk examinations, acknowledgment of Juji and management of subordinate temples. It can be seen that it established a denomination management system under the control and protection of the state, with an edge over the Gyojong order. In addition, while preserving the status of Buddhism in the national institutional sphere and advocating the interests of monks, and incorporating Buddhist views into policy, it played an important role in restoring and maintaining Buddhism. In Heungcheonsa, located geographically next to the royal palace in the city, the royal temple services wishing the well‐being of the king and the royal family, the national interests and the happiness of the people, or the Sojaedoryang (Buddhist ritual to pray for blessings and prevent diseases and Buddhist rituals that characterize natural disasters) were frequently practiced.