A Study on the Location of Zen Buddhist Temples During the Late Silla Dynasty in Korea - from Feng-shui(風水) Perspective -

신라말 구산선문(九山禪門) 사찰의 입지 연구 - 풍수적 측면을 중심으로 -

The purpose of this study is to examine the chracteristics of the location of Zen Buddhist temples which are the Nine-Mountain Sects of Zen(九山禪門) from feng-shui perspective. A large number of temples have been built for about 1600 years since Buddhism had influenced on Korea. They have been built nationwide in different times by different sects of Buddhism. The pattern of location of Buddhist temples is different according to background of the times (political, economic, cultural aspect) and of tenet(difference in sects of Buddhism) when the temples were built. But the general location of Korean Buddhist temples is in accordance with feng-shui theory. Feng-shui is a traditional geographic thought in China and Korea. It is necessary to understand feng-shui in order to understand Korean landscape and cultural geography. It had given a tremendous impact on Korean landscape through choosing site of cities, settlements, houses, mounments, temples, pagodas, and so on. Before feng-shui was prevailing in Korea, Buddhist temples were mostly built on sacred place which was connected with folk beliefs. In the case of the late Silla Dynasty when Zen Buddhism was prevailing, feng-shui became popular and many. temples were built in accordance with feng-shui. The typical examples are found in the site of Nine-Mountain Sects of Zen temples. The interpretation of geomantic site of Nine-Mountain Sects of Zen temples will show us how feng-shui was applied to and reflected in the Korean peninsula. In Zen Buddhism, feng-shui was applied to the choice of the temple site. Also feng-shui theory was usually used to choose the site of stupa(Budo) where the remains of the founder of sect. In this study, I will interpret the geomantic characteristics of Nine-Mountain Sects of Zen temples. The geomantic interpretations of the temples are as follow. 1. The temples are located at the foot of a hill with surrounding mountains and a watercourse in front. Feng-shui texts often describe it as an ideal site. This geomantic situation is well equipped with natural drainage; protection from cold wind from the north or evil spirits; a good view with open space to the front; protection from unnecessary weather damage; and security and protection from strangers and invaders. 2. The sitting and facing direction of the temples correspond to the oncoming dragon's direction. 3. Many feng-shui texts discuss the types of Sa(surrounding mountains) in detail and morphologically describe them with certain animate and inanimate auspicious objects. In case of Nine-Mountain Sects of Zen temples, the geomantic landscape of these can be compared to auspicious objects. This is morphological marker for the description of configulation features of these temples. 4. Most auspicious places are not perfect, but the shortcomings can be overcome by many means. We can observe modification of landscape for the purpose of fulfilling the geomantic harmony of the temple.

신라 말 선종계열 사찰을 대표하는 구산선문(九山禪門)의 개산(開山)은 지방문화의 발흥과 자신감의 표현이었으며 지방 호족들의 사회 경제적 기반을 토대로 한 것이었다. 선종(禪宗)이 유행하던 시기에 주로 재창되었던 구산선문의 입지 특색은 풍수적 논리를 따른 것이다. 풍수가 성행하기 이전에 건립된 사찰들은 주로 전통적인 토착신앙 세력들이 신성시하던 성소, 성지(聖所, 聖地)를 택해 입지했고, 신라의 경우 왕성의 도심 곳곳에 사찰이 수없이 많이 건립되었다. 이후 신라말기에 선종의 유행으로 인해 선종사찰들이 많이 건립되고 풍수도 본격적으로 성행하게 되어 사찰의 입지에 풍수논리가 뒷받침되기 시작했다. 구산선문이 개산(開山)하기 이전의 사찰은 주로 삼산, 오악(三山, 五岳) 등의 영지(靈地)개념에 따른 입지가 많았으나 구산선문은 당시로서는 변방이라 할 수 있는 지역으로 확대되어 독립적인 산문을 재창하였다. 구산선문 각 사찰의 경우 산과 물이 짜임새 있게 조화를 이루고 있어 풍수지리적인 전체성이 잘 드러나고 있다. 각 사찰은 계곡물이 모여 완만히 감싸는 곳, 물을 얻기 용이하면서도 산이 사방으로 들러쳐진 아늑한 곳, 즉 풍수에서 길지(吉地)로 여기는 '산에 기대고 물에 접한' 땅에 입지하여 풍수적인 조건을 잘 갖추고 있다. 구산선문은 주로 분지상의 지세에 입지하였으며 사찰의 축선(軸線)은 지형(내룡(來龍)의 맥세(脈勢))에 따라 이루어졌다. 각 사찰에서 나타나는 장소의 약점은 풍수적인 비보책(裨補策)을 통해 보완하였다.