The history of modern korea buddhism which have been focussing on the japanese colonial period, is being researched on the recently different fields. But it is true that there were different views among research's identity, its characteristic, and its ...
The history of modern korea buddhism which have been focussing on the japanese colonial period, is being researched on the recently different fields. But it is true that there were different views among research's identity, its characteristic, and its essence. In order to close the gap, above everything else it needs to reconsider understanding on history of korean buddhism in the Japanese colonial period. In those day the study on ancient history of korean Buddhism met demands of the times, such as restoration of korean buddhist history, efforts of its systematization, the reconstruction of buddhist organization. Buddhist intellectuals studied buddhism through the collecting and readjusting of historical materials for a long time. Also they treated widely buddhist thought and buddhist celebrity, or buddhist culture, including literature, art, music, and so on. These efforts could be solidified the foundation of research by collecting and readjusting of materials. Futhermore, as the weakened region which was suppressed and was boycotted by Chosun Dynasty, although history of Korean buddhism barely remained in one's existence, finally its history came to business in restoration. Expecially at these context of Korean buddhism, its history emphasized that it had contributed korean culture and korean civilization. Also its history asserted that korean high monks's thought and achievement had better than the China's on the basis of the scholarly originality and excellence. these developmental interpretation in relation to ancient history of korean buddhism was carried forward the movement to advance the korean study, so that general intellectuals came to search and reevaluate the status and the value of ancient buddhist history.
Under the Japanese Colonial Rule, our study on Korean Buddhism history became to embark with the advent of Korea Study Movement(國學運動) in order to overcome the dismal situation of colonialization. Futhermore in the transition from the Chosun Dynasty(1392-1910) to the modernization period of Korea, the restoration of study on Korea buddhist history was result in korean intellectual's lamentation in those days, because it had no general books which dealt with systematically a historical course of korea buddhism, including the introduction of buddhism in korea and modern korea buddhism. Although we might trace into historical pieces of the past Korea buddhism, it was not proved that our buddhism can restore the its identity or its pride. Above all, research on buddhist history in Chosun Dynasty under Japanese rule had no outstanding ideology and prominent figures in Korea buddhist circle, unlike the early Buddhist times and the Goryeo period (918–1392). But intelligential persons in those days sought to find legacy of our Buddhist history and tried to not only systematize but also restore our Buddhism.
Although Buddhist history in Chosun dynasty might be dark history in comparison with previous periods, it can be described as a suppressed period or a period of alienation just as it was. On the one hand Such scholars as Dacahashi Tooru(高橋亨) had described Chosun Buddhism as a humble history, and on the other hand, he theorized that Japanese buddhism and The Temple Ordinance(寺刹令) brought into the rise of Korea buddhism. But Buddhist history of Chosun inspired Korea people to take pride on the basis of historical facts. For example, it lauded Seosan Daesa(西山大師) and Samyeongdang(泗溟大師)'s patriotic feeling to overcome national crisis. Through their spirit, Chosun Buddhism prepared Korea people their spiritual armament of "independent spirit" under the Japanese rule. In those days, even Japanese scholars did not only study the Buddhism Scripture Translation, which published during the kings Sejung(世宗)'s and SeJo(宣祖)'s rule, but also had intended to seek cultural history's value of Chosun buddhism.
For reconstruction and development, the History of Korean Buddhism in Japanese colonial period was the crucial point for Korean Modern Buddhism. The Buddhism had a peripheral position through Choson Dynasty, whereas its significance during Colonial period had changed. Buddhism Studies analyzed values and effects of Buddhism in the context of Korean History and Culture enthusiastically. For Instance Choi Nam-Sun who introduced Korean History and buddhist doctrines emphasized that Korean Buddhism had superiority over others. He also argued Korean Buddhism for synthesis of western and eastern art by Seokguram. Sipmunhwajaengron introduced by Wonhyo was used to emphasize characteritics of Tongbulgyo, Harmony. In addition, Intellectuals of Buddhism in colonial period tried to find out characteristics of Korean Buddhism. they attempted to explain indigenous characteristics of korean Buddhism through the anecdote of Lee cha-don and Wonhyo.
The Modern Korean Buddhism in colonial period was influenced by Social Darwinism. Retaining objectivity and Modern methodologies changed traditional Buddhism to modern disciplines. Social Darwinism also contributed to establish the inclination to national historiography of Buddhism which had to do with overcome hardships of the nation in colonial period.
These newly established viewpoints and researches showed inclinations to the scientific methodologies. Secondary source was also emphasized as important materials for researches.