Tracts on the Modern Reformation of Korean Buddhism
Tracts on the Modern Reformation of Korean Buddhism

Author: Gwon Sangro

Publisher: Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Published:

Total Pages: 389

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Tracts on the Modern Reformation of Korean Buddhism consists of four selected works by three writers: Han Yongun’s 韓龍雲 (1879–1944) Treatise on the Restoration of Korean Buddhism (1913) and “Reform Proposals for Korean Buddhism” (1931); Gwon Sangro’s 權相老(1879–1965) “Treatise on the Reformation of Korean Buddhism” (1912-1913); and Yi Yeongjae’s 李英宰(1900–1927) “Treatise on the Renovation of Korean Buddhism” (1922). These works represent modern Buddhist intellectuals’ awareness of social reality and their new visions at the contemporary turning point of modernization. The Treatise on the Restoration of Korean Buddhism emphasizes on superiority of Buddhism, which encompasses both philosophy and religion, and its modern features on the one hand, and argues for the elimination of past evils and a social renovation on the other. This work stresses the urgent necessity of the modern education, studying abroad, and the secured freedom of thought. In “Reform Proposals for Korean Buddhism,” Han advocates for the establishment of a unified institute, the necessity of translation into the Korean language using the Korean script (Han-geul), and the popularization of Buddhism. In “Treatise on the Reformation of Korean Buddhism,” Gwon insists that Korean Buddhism should overcome the old traditions of dependency or obedience as well as its exclusiveness and be radically reformed in the age of religious competition that is based on social evolution theory. The “Treatise on the Renovation of Korean Buddhism” suggests an institutional direction of Buddhist reformation with a critical awareness of the system under the Temple Ordinances issued by the Japanese Colonial Government. This work also proposes the establishment of a religious constitution and an innovative organization following a democratic model that pursues the separation of power. These works emphasize the necessity of socialization, education, institutional, and economical independence of Buddhism.

Tracts on the Modern Reformation of Korean Buddhism
Tracts on the Modern Reformation of Korean Buddhism

Author: Sang-no Kwŏn

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 293

ISBN-13: 9788978014571

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Treatise on the reformation of Korean Buddhism (Joseon Bulgyo Gaehyeongnon) / Gwon Sangro -- Treatise on the restoration of Korean Buddhism (Joseon Bulgyo yusinnon) / Han Yongun -- Reform proposals for Korean Buddhism (Joseon Bulgyo ui gaehyeogan) / Han Yongun -- Treatise on the renovation of Korean Buddhism (Joseon Bulgyo hyeoksinnon) / Yi Yeongjae.

A Collection of Modern Korean Buddhist Discourses
A Collection of Modern Korean Buddhist Discourses

Author: Choe Namseon and others

Publisher: Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Published:

Total Pages: 603

ISBN-13:

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A Collection of Modern Korean Buddhist Discourses consists of twelve articles which were carefully selected from Buddhist journals of the modern period. These articles critically discuss the past and the present of Korean Buddhism and offer the prospect for the future by dealing with various topics in different fields, such as history, religion, literature, politics, society, and culture. The authors include not only renowned scholars of Buddhist studies, such as Gim Beomnin 金法麟 (1899–1964), Kim Yeongsu 金映遂 (1884–1967), Gim Taeheup 金泰洽 (1899–1989), and Baek Seonguk 白性郁(1897–1981), as well as prominent figures in Korean studies and Korean literature, such as Choe Namseon 崔南善 (1890–1957) and Yi Gwangsu 李光洙 (1892–1950). The twelve selected articles are as follows: ① Choe Namseon, “Overview of Korean Buddhism: A Diachronic Approach to Korean Buddhism” (1918) ② Yi Gwangsu, “Buddhism and Korean Literature” (1925) ③ Baek Seonguk, “To Establish a Modern Buddhism” (1926) ④ Gim Taeheup, “Research on Religion and the Development of Social Work” (1926–1928) ⑤ Gim Byeokong, “A Concern for Korean Buddhism: The Words Addressed to All Korean Buddhist Clerics” (1927) ⑥ Choe Namseon, “Korean Buddhism: Its Position in the Cultural History of the East” (1930) ⑦ Yu Yeop, “Buddhism and the Trend of Social Thought” (1931) ⑧ Kang Yumun, “Overview of Korean Buddhism for the Last Hundred Years” (1932) ⑨ Gim Beomnin, “On the Separation of Religion and Politics” (1932) ⑩ Heo Yeongho, “Foundations and Errors of Anti-Religion Movement” (1932) ⑪ Mong Jeongsaeng, “Examining the Causes of Korean Buddhism Facing a Crisis” (1932) ⑫ Gim Yeongsu, “On the Principle Teachings of Korean Buddhism” (1933)

Sheaves of Korean Buddhist History
Sheaves of Korean Buddhist History

Author: Gim Yeongsu

Publisher: Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Published:

Total Pages: 547

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Sheaves of Korean Buddhist History, a brief history of Korean Buddhism, is one of the representative works on Korean Buddhism in the modern period. The author Gim Yeongsu was a scholar-monk, who was well known for his influential research on the systems of religious orders in Korean Buddhism by advancing such theories as Five Doctrinal [schools] and Nine Mountains [school of Seon], Five Doctrinal [schools] and Two [Meditative] schools, and Two Schools of Meditative practice and doctrinal Teaching. The first part on the Three Kingdoms and the Unified Silla period includes various topics, such as the introduction of Buddhism to Korean peninsula; the achievements of eminent monks in pursuing the Buddhist truth; the adoption and development of doctrinal learning; the establishment of Buddhist schools, such as the Hwaeom school; and the transmission of Chan and the formation of Nine Mountains school of Seon. The contents of the second part on the Goryeo period include the royal worship of Buddhism, monastic examinations; the activities of eminent monks; the establishment of the Cheontae 天台 school and the Five Doctrinal [schools] and Two [Meditative] schools; the carving of the woodblocks of the Goryeo Buddhist canon; Buddhist cultural exchange with neighboring countries; the flourishing of the Seon school and the introduction of Ganhwa Seon; and so forth. The part on the Joseon period describes the official policy of persecuting Buddhism during the early Joseon period; the forced unification of Buddhist schools; the activities of monk militias during the Hideoyoshi invasion of Korea (1592–1598); synthesis of the three practices of Seon, Gyo (Buddhist doctrines), and chanting the Buddha’s name during the late Joseon; the problem of Dharma lineage of the Imje school; and Buddhist educational systems and practices. The part on the modern period examines such topics as the Temple Ordinances issued by the Japanese Colonial Government and institutional changes in the Buddhist community.

An Anthology of East Asian Commentaries on the Nyāyapraveśa
An Anthology of East Asian Commentaries on the Nyāyapraveśa

Author: Bak Hanyeong

Publisher: Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Published:

Total Pages: 274

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An Anthology of East Asian Commentaries on the Nyāyapraveśa is a manual of Buddhist Logic by the scholar-monk Bak Hanyeong 朴漢永(1870–1948). Bak Hanyeong participated in the establishment movement of the Imje Buddhist Order 臨濟宗 in 1911, attempting to maintain authenticity of Korean Buddhist tradition. He served as principle of the Jung’ang Professional School of Buddhism (Jung’ang Bulgyo Jeonmunhakgyo 中央佛敎專門學校), the highest educational institute for Buddhism, and right after Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, he was appointed as the first Supreme Patriarch of the Administrative Headquarters of Korean Buddhist Order (Joseon Bulgyo Jung’ang Chongmuweon 朝鮮佛敎中央總務院). An Anthology of East Asian Commentaries on the Nyāyapraveśa is a selected collection of East Asian commentaries on Xuanzang’s Chinese translation (647) of Śaṇkarasvāṇmin’s (ca. the late 6th century) Nyāyapraveśa. This work is written by centering on Ming dynasty Yogācāra monk Mingyu’s 明昱 (d.u.) commentary, the Yinming ruzhengli lun zhishu 因明入正理論直疏, along with Bak Hanyeong’s own “supplementary explanations” (bohae 補解) and “additional comments” (jeungju 增註), and also cites Zhixu’s 智旭 (1599–1655) commentary, the Yinming ruzhengli lun zhijie 因明入正理論直解. The expression hoeseok in the title means “to reconcile [conflicting] interpretations.” Although An Anthology of East Asian Commentaries on the Nyāyapraveśa is not Bak Hanyeong’s original arguments, it is one of important sources for the study of the modern Korean Buddhism, since this work contains detailed explanations of the commentaries on such a specific area as Buddhist Logic and thus represents Korean Buddhist scholastic standards of the modern period. The base texts for the translation are the edition of the Bulgyo jung’ang hangnim (1916) and the edition of the Jibang hagnim at Songgwang Monastary (1920). Both texts end with the phrase “The śramaṇa Gusan has interpreted [the Nyāyapraveśa] by reconciling [conflicting] interpretations” (龜山沙門會釋).

Essential Compendium for Buddhists
Essential Compendium for Buddhists

Author: Choe Chwiheo

Publisher: Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Published:

Total Pages: 512

ISBN-13:

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Essential Compendium for Buddhists: A Modern Buddhist Liturgy is a book on Buddhist rituals, which was edited by An Jinho 安震湖 (1880–1965) and Choe Chwiheo 崔就墟 (1865–?). This work represents the process of evolution of modern Buddhist rituals and concrete features of popularization and modernization of Buddhism. An Jinho, a scholar-monk who worked around Yecheon and Mun-gyeong of North Gyeongsang Province, dedicated himself to the translation and publication of Buddhist canonical texts by establishing the publishing institute Mansanghoe. He is also well known as the editor of Seongmun uibeom (Buddhist Ritual Manual, 1935), the compilation of traditional Buddhist rituals. Choe Chwiheo is also a scholar-monk who worked in North Gyeongsang Province, and participated in the Mind-field Development Movement, a movement in the middle and late 1930s to educate people common people that simultaneously promoted agriculture in the countryside. Essential Compendium for Buddhists: A Modern Buddhist Liturgy is a collection that describes various Buddhist chanting or worship ceremonies. This book was reviewed by the Buddhist scholars Gwon Sangno and Gim Taeheup, and Han Yongun sponsored the publication. The main body is comprised of abbreviated excerpts from various Buddhist ceremonial texts along with additional explanations in the Korean language. This work encompasses the traditional process of Buddhist rituals and regular ceremonies along with verses, ritual prayers, precepts, and entreaties on the one hand, and reflects Buddhist efforts toward modernization in the process of its adaptation to the new age on the other. As an essential guide to Korean Buddhist rituals and ceremonies, this book was used as an indispensable manual for temple ceremonies and daily Buddhist events. The source text of this translation was the moveable lead type edition published at Yeonbangsa (1931), which was sold at Buddhist societies (Bulgyosa 佛敎社).

The Gyeongheo Collection–Prose and Poetry by the Restorer of Korean Seon
The Gyeongheo Collection–Prose and Poetry by the Restorer of Korean Seon

Author: Gyeongheo

Publisher: Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Published:

Total Pages: 471

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The Gyeongheo Collection is a collection of dharma talks and other literary works by Gyeongheo Seong’u 鏡虛惺牛(1849/1857–1912), one of the representative Korean Seon masters of modern times. Gyeongheo was tonsured at the age of nine, and he studied Buddhist doctrine on the one hand and promoted Ganhwa Seon practice on the other. Geongheo also established a meditation practice society. In his later years Gyeongheo dedicated himself to the edification of the common people in the northern area of the Korean peninsula. Among his prominent disciples are Hyewol 慧月 (1861–1937), Man’gong 滿空 (1871–1946), and Han’am 漢岩 (1876–1951). The Gyeongheo Collection is a significant work in that it enables us to see the process of evolution and transformation of Seon tradition during the period of modernization. This work consists of dharma talks, prefaces, records, letters, accounts of conduct, eulogies offered up to portraits of famous monks, hundreds of Seon verses (in both five character and seven character formats), and so forth. Among the poems written in regulated verses with five logographs per line, “How to Be a Monk” is a guide book of practice for monks and nuns. “The Pure Regulations” includes the rules and regulations of the Seon monastic community. The verses also contain unconventional features of Seon teaching. “The Song of the Way to Enlightenment” is the verse written on Gyeonheo’s attainment of the state of enlightenment. Besides, The Gyeonheo Collection contains essays on various topics, such as the exhaustive realization within one’s mind required in Ganhwa Seon practice, the adoption of Pure Land thought, the importance of monastic precepts and the Pure Rules, societies and movements focused on meditation, the synthesis of practice and doctrine, the edification of the masses and songs such as “Sŏn meditation” (Chamseon gok) introducing the daily life of Seon, the establishment of Seon monastic community and education, and so on. The base script for The Gyeongheo Collection is Han’am’s hand-copied edition (1931), which also includes a brief biography of Gyeongheo written by Han’am himself. For the translation, this script was compared to the printed edition published in 1943 by Jung’ang Seonwoen, which is prefaced by Han Yongun 韓龍雲(1879–1944), the prominent Korean monk and writer.

A Study of Korean Pagodas
A Study of Korean Pagodas

Author: Go Yuseop

Publisher: Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Published:

Total Pages: 647

ISBN-13:

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A Study of Korean Pagodas, a monumental work of research in which Korean pagodas are described by focusing on their stylistic history, is considered as the archetype of this field. In Buddhist art history this work is a classic that set the stylistic standard for studying stone pagodas, the periods of classification, and the basic framework of analysis. The theories first presented in this book have exerted a great influence to the present day. The author Go Yuseop 高裕燮 (1905–1944), a representative scholar in the field of Korean art history, studied at Gyeongseong Jedae 京城帝大, the only university during the colonial period, and served as director of Gaeseong Museum and professor at Yeonhui Professional School and Ewha Womans Professional School. His research was based on the direct exploration of scenic spots, historical remains, and Buddhist temples. In addition to A Study of Korean Pagodas, Go Yuseop left Songdo gojeok 松都古蹟 (Historical Remains at Songdo), Joseon misulsa nonchong 朝鮮美術史論叢 (A Collection of Studies on History of Korean Art), and other writings. A Study of Korean Pagodas explains that Korean pagodas originated from wooden and brick pagodas of the Three Kingdoms period; their size was reduced during the early period of the Unified Silla dynasty, in which the typical style was established; during the middle to the end of the Unified Silla dynasty, the atypical pagoda appeared. Go Yuseop explains the arrangement of buildings in temples in the Three Kingdoms period and its variations on the basis of the relationship between the main hall, Geumdang金堂, and pagodas. Although criticism and alternative theories have been advanced, his explanation is still valid to understand the emergence of the monastery arrangement with twin pagodas. The base text for this translation is the published edition by Eulyoo Munhwasa (1948), but references are made to other editions, including those of Donghwa Chulpan (1975), Tongmungwan (1993), and Yeolhwadang (2010).

The Temple of Words
The Temple of Words

Author: Han Yongun and others

Publisher: Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Published:

Total Pages: 290

ISBN-13:

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The Temple of Words: An Anthology of Modern Korean Buddhist Poetry is a collection of one hundred and thirty-two Buddhist poems by fifteen poets, including Seon monks. This volume, which is composed of highly praised poetry in modern Korean literature, offers an opportunity to appreciate the aesthetic world of Buddhism that is embedded in sentiments of the modern intellectuals. The majority of the poems (120 pieces) in this book are written by monastics, monks and nuns. The list of the monks and the number of their poems included in this collection are as follows: Gyeongheo 鏡虛 9 poems, Yongseong 龍城 6 poems, Hanyeong 漢永 14 poems, Guha 九河 1 poem, Man’gong 滿空 8 poems, Hanam 漢岩 5 poems, Manhae 萬海 48 poems, Hyobong 曉峰 3 poems, Gyeongbong 鏡峰 11 poems, and Iryeop 一葉 14 poems. The other poets include O Sangsun 1 poem, Shin Seokjeong 3 poems, Gim Daljin 3 poems, Seo Jeongju 2 peoms, and Jo Jihun 4 poems. Manhae’s “Nim ui Chimmuk” (My Love’s Silence), Seo Jeongju’s “Gukhwa yeop eseo” (Beside a Chrysanthemum), and Jo Jihun’s “Seungmu” (Monk’s Dance) are widely known to the general public in Korea. The monastic poetry represents the unconventional features of Seon and their insights attained by the traditional practice of meditative contemplation. The other poetry by the secular Buddhist writers also attempts to express the subtle truth of Buddhism in the Korean script (Han-geul), thereby making a great contribution in causing the masses to know the Buddhist way of thinking and feeling, and leading them to empathize with the religion. The Temple of Words: An Anthology of Modern Korean Buddhist Poetry helps us to understand the “colors” of the modern Korean Buddhist intellectuals’ lyrical sensitivity and the “codes” in which they were communicating with the public.

The Sun over the Sea of Enlightenment
The Sun over the Sea of Enlightenment

Author: Baek Yongseong

Publisher: Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Published:

Total Pages: 394

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The Sun over the Sea of Enlightenment is one of the influential works by Baek Yongseong 白龍城 (1864–1940), the prominent Buddhist monk who revived Seon Buddhism and led the New Buddhism movement. This work offers an organized explanation of essential points of Buddhist doctrine and Seon practice. Baek Yongseong, who studied at the Three-Jewel monasteries of Korea, Tongdo Monastery 通度寺, Haein Monastery 海印寺, Songgwang Monastery 松廣寺, took the lead in the movement to establish the Imje Buddhist 臨濟宗 in 1911. He is also well known for having signed the Korean Declaration of Independence during the March First Movement as one of the thirty-three cultural and religious leaders. In 1920s, Baek Yongseong established the new religion of Daegakgyo (Teaching of Great Enlightenment) and translated Buddhist scriptures into modern Korean to spread Buddhism to the common people. He also played a significant role in founding the Seon monastic community to preserve and promote traditional Seon practice. In 1926, Baek Yongseong requested the Japanese Colonial Government to prohibit monastic marriage and meat-eating. The Sun over the Sea of Enlightenment is generally regarded the foudational scripture of Daegakgyo. Baek Yongseong explains in the preface that this work is so titled because the world of enlightenment applies to everything infinitely and equally just as does sunlight. This work is composed of sixty sections in three volumes and at the end the gist of the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch is added as an appendix along with its Korean translation. The first volume, consisting of the first eighteen sections, explains fundamental Buddhist doctrines and concepts such as tathāgatagarbha, consciousness-only, mind-only, cause and effect. The second volume, consisting of the next thirty-six sections, deals with contemplation practice and Ganhwa Seon, and offers the way to enlightenment describing that every phenomenon originates from the mind. The third volume, comprised of the remaining sections, suggests the right way of cultivating the mind by explaining how to do the meditative practice. The base text for the translation of this work is the printed edition published at Daegakgyodang in 1930.