A Study of Qi Theory in Daesoon Thought : centered on Shangjeguan and Cheonjiogongsalon

대순사상에서의 기론(氣論) 연구 - 상제관과 천지공사론을 중심으로 -

The Qi(氣) concept in the Orient is the important concept which forms the world-view and thinking structure of the Oriental. The idea of Qi unfolds two ways. The first is the cosmogony that is the theory explaining the creation and change of universe through the change of Qi. The second is the preservation theory that think human body is full of Qi and we can be the immortal by raising Qi inside human body. The canon of Daesoonjinrihoe(大巡眞理會), Jeon-gyung(典經) also says about Qi many times especially in the doctrines about the object of belief and Cheonjigongsalon(天地公事論). This paper is willing to systematize the discussion of Qi in Daesoon(大巡) thought through researching Sangjeguan (上帝觀) and Cheonjigongsalon. The object of religious faith in Daesoonjinrihoe is Gucheon(九天)-yeungwon(應元)-noisung(雷聲)-bohwa(普化)-cheonjon(天尊)-gangsung(姜聖)-sangje(上帝) and Won(元) concept in the explanation of this divinity is deeply related to Wonqi(元氣) thought of the Oriental traditional Qi idea. And the theory of Qi(Qilon, 氣論) in Sangjeguan is related to electricity and the idea that the supreme God governs all things by electricity is the very original interpretation only found in Daesoon thought. The Qilon in Cheonjigongsalon is based on the Qilon of traditional thought that sees Qi is the element of all things and all thing are formed by the change of Qi. And the unique feature of the Qilon is saying that the supreme God, Cheungsan(甑山) operates Qi of universe and arouses the change of Qi. That is to say, God Cheungsan saved the world and all living beings by eliminating and giving and changing and moving and gathering and combining Qi. The characteristics of Qilon in Cheonjigongsalon is that the transcendental existence having human body has the control of the change of Qi in the universe. In conclusion, Qilon of Dasesoon thought tells that Gucheon-Sangje Chengsan governs all things by electricity and he fixed the old world and opened the new world like paradise by conducting the change of Qi.