• Title/Summary/Keyword: 보은상생

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The Sangsaeng Ecological Theory of Daesoon Jinrihoe: Focusing on the Meaning of Sangsaeng (대순진리회의 상생생태론 연구 - 상생의 의미를 중심으로 -)

  • Kim Gui-man
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.48
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    • pp.375-406
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    • 2024
  • This study aims to define the meaning of 'Sangsaeng (mutual beneficence)' within the context of 'Sangsaeng ecological theory,' a form of discourse of that has emerged from Daesoon Jinrihoe's perspective on ecology. Sangsaeng ecological theory applies the concept of interdependence to ecology in order to explain how Sangsaeng, which is commonly used as an ethical system for humans, can be applied to the realm of ecology such that it extends its scope of application to include non-human beings. Interdependence, when applied to ecology, is formed via relationships between individuals. Such relationships can be positive, negative, or neutral, and the type of interdependence that emerges can be competitive, predatory, parasitc, and symbiotic. Even if the relationship between individuals ends negatively, it can still exert a positive effect on the ecosystem. Consequently, all of these produce a type of 'dependence'. However, relationships that end negatively can generate grievances, and from the perspective of Sangsaeng ethics, this type of interdependence is to be avoided. Therefore, by way of contrast, ecological Sangsaeng may include both relationships of positive interdependence and relationships of predation, parasitism, and competition in so far as there no grievances. Ecological theory requires a perspective that enables an understand of the relationship between nature and humans in an integrated way that does not separate them. One view of universe, known as Cheonji-saengin-yongin (Heaven and Earth give produce humans make use of them) provides insights into the relationship between the universe and humans and nature and humans from an interdependent perspective. Heaven and Earth take humans as the basis of their existence, and only after humans discover the law of nature and the sacredness behind it can a deep interdependence between Heaven and Earth and humans and nature and humans be established. However, as modern humans emerge, the interdependence between Heaven and Earth and humans collapses as they destroy nature and lower the authority of Shindo (divine order). Haewon Sangsaeng (the resolution of grievances for mutual beneficence) and Boeun Sangsaeng (the reciprocation of favors for mutual beneficence) is the solution to reestablish the interdependence that has been disconnected between Heaven and Earth and humans and nature and humans. The practice of Haewon Sangsaeng through Gongbu rituals is the way to restore interdependence between nature and humans. The process of humans achieving Dotong (mastery of the Dao) through religious practices is the practice of Boeun Sangsaeng, and humans will be reborn into Injon (Human Nobility or 'divine humans') with ecological nature and enjoy an eternal interdependent relationship with nature. In summary, Sangsaeng in the context of Sangsaeng ecological theory is the idea and practice of allowing nature and humans to restore their interdependence and live on eternally.

An Introduction to the Study of the Ecological Theory of Daesoon Jinrihoe: Sangsaeng Ecological Theory (대순진리회 생태론 연구서설 - 상생생태론 -)

  • Cha, Seon-keun
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.35
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    • pp.295-330
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    • 2020
  • This paper examines the current state of the field wherein theoretical issues of ecology are still in need of concentration. Ecological texts are reconsidered from a religious worldview by extracting eco-friendly notions within religion and discourse is also essential in the practical field. As a case study on this matter, this paper aims to describe various aspects of ecological theory in Daesoon Jinrihoe, a new religious movement in Korea. In short, in its view of the natural world, Daesoon Jinrihoe values that all things originated from the Supreme God who presides over them, and the two are organically interrelated. Hence, the principle of nature is cherished. Especially as the Later World draws near, the fundamental basis of nature is slated to undergo change, and this also features heavily in Daesoon Jinrihoe's view of the natural world. Furthermore, the Supreme God reforms nature, and human beings live lives in conformity and resonance with that reformed nature. Above all else, the doctrines of haewon sangsaeng (the resolution of grievances for mutual beneficence) and boeun sangsaeng (the reciprocation of favors for mutual beneficence) are advocated in Daesoon Jinrihoe. Each supports its own form of ecological discourse, and together, they can be called Sangsaeng Ecological Theory (the Ecological Theory of Mutual Beneficence). Specific discussions of Daesoon Jinrihoe and ecology should be considered in light of this finding.

The Characteristics of 'Podeok (布德 Spreading Virtue)' in Daesoon Jinrihoe (대순진리회의 '포덕'개념의 특징)

  • Lee, Bong-ho;Park, Yong-cheol
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.32
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    • pp.77-108
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    • 2019
  • The purpose of this paper is to clarify the characteristics of 'Podeok' in Daesoon Jinrihoe. The term Podeok can cause some misunderstanding as the same word Deok (德 virtue) has long been used in the Eastern Tradition. In other words, for most people who are used to traditional thought, Podeok may be conflated with the similar word 'Deok (virtue)' as used within Confucianism. People who are familiar with Confucian culture might thereby misunderstand the term Podeok as an aspect of Confucian moral ethics, or they could misconstrue Daesoon Jinrihoe as having appropriated and misused Confucian ideas. Furthermore, there are other problems that could arise if people compare Daesoon Jinrihoe's 'Podeok' with 'Deok (virtue)' as used by Laozi. While Deok in Laozi's usage represents the ability of an individual who can exercise his or her rationality with excellence, Deok in Daesoon Jinrihoe indicates the idea of actualizing Mutual Beneficence and the conditions that enable Mutual Beneficence. If one understands Deok as used by Laozi to contain the meaning of Mutual Beneficence, then it is possible to think that the two tradition share a similar meaning of Deok as Podeok in Daesoon Jinrihoe pursues Mutual Beneficence as its ultimate value. In order to preemptively correct these misunderstandings, I need to clarify how the idea of Deok was born out of traditional thought and what meanings it embodies. Additionally, it is necessary to examine how it became meaningful in Confucianism, and how it was criticized and ascribed new meanings in Laozi's thought. Through these clarification, it will become clear that Deok originally indicated a religious ritual that the king of the Zhou Dynasty performed after receiving the heavenly mandate and assuming rule over the nation. Later, this idea was transformed into a moral virtue and norm by Confucius. This moral virtue and norm was criticized by Laozi as an unnatural form of control as it was understood by Laozi as a teleological argument justifying whether or not lives were to be saved or sustained based on the perceived merits of each individual. On the contrary, Deok in Daesoon Jinrihoe and traditional thought stand on a totally different theological bases. Deok in Daesoon Jinrihoe is a means to practice and realize the truth of the earthly paradise of the Later World and the truth of Mutual Beneficence which were posited to the world through Kang Jeungsan's Works of Haewon (grievance resolution) that resolved the pattern of mutual conflict that characterized the Former World. Therefore, the idea of Podeok in Daesoon Jinrihoe gains completion only on the premises of Haewon Sangsaeng (resolution of grievances for mutual beneficence) and Boeun Sangsaeng (reciprocation of favors for mutual beneficence), and the way to practice Podeok is to practice Haewon Sangsaeng and Boeun Sangsaeng. In addition, the subordinate virtues such as loyalty, filial piety, and faithfulness that exist within Daesoon Jinrihoe's religious practice are not same as those of traditional thought. They are new concepts of virtues drawn from the cosmological laws of Daesoon Jinrihoe. To be specific, the virtues of Daesoon Jinrihoe are not rules that create discrimination and mutual conflict, but are instead ethical rules established upon the basis of Heaven and Earth having been newly organized, and thus, they will bring virtuous concordance, harmonious union, and mutual beneficence. The idea of 'Podeok' in Daesoon Jinrihoe can be understood as a religious practice that requires doctrinal understanding and tangible practice in daily life of followers. In other words, it is not the same Deok of earlier traditional thought in East Asia, but is instead a religious truth by which practitioners realize the truth of Sangje's Works of Haewon in human world as they practice Haewon Sangsaeng and Boeun Sangsaeng.

대순진리회의 수도 요체와 심신 수양

  • 양옌
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.21
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    • pp.323-367
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    • 2013
  • 한국의 대순진리회는 증산 성사의 가르침을 숭신하는 종교단체로서, 한국 사회에 상당한 영향력을 가지고 있다. 1969년 창설된 대순진리회는 포덕·교화·수도를 삼대 기본사업으로, '음양합덕·신인조화·해원상생·도통진경'을 종지로, '안심·안신·경천·수도'를 사강령으로, '성·경·신'을 수도의 삼요체로 삼고 있다. 또한 인간개조와 포덕천하·구제창생·보국안민을 통하여 지상천국을 건설하는 것을 목표로 한다. 대순진리회는 사상적 측면에서 무(巫)와 유(儒)·불(佛)·도(道)를 포용하고 있다. 이러한 대순사상을 바탕으로 대순진리회의 도인들은 근엄하고 세밀한 실천수도를 수행하는데, 그 내용을 살펴보면 중국 유·불·도의 양생문화와 많은 공통점이 있는 동시에, 또한 뚜렷한 한국 문화의 특색을 띠는 부분도 있다. 이런 면들은 모두 개인적 수도와 사회적 안정을 실현하는 데 큰 도움이 되고 있다. '안심·안신·경천·수도'의 사강령은 대순진리회의 도인들이 지켜야 할 가장 기본적인 행위규범이다. '성·경·신'의 삼요체는 사강령을 실천하기 위한 내면적 수양으로서 모든 수도활동의 근본이 되는 것이다. 삼요체 중에서 '성'을 가장 근본적인 것으로 생각하는데, 그 이유는 오직 '성'을 갖춘 사람만이 '경'과 '신'을 논할 수 있기 때문이다. 반대로 마음속에 망념이 있거나 경거망동을 하는 사람들은 상제에 대한 '경'과 '신'을 잃게 된다. '성실함'이라는 내면적 도덕 품성은 인간으로 하여금 더욱 정직하고 안정되며 오래 지속되게 한다. 뿐만 아니라 '성'은 수도자들로 하여금 더욱 순수해지고, 어리석음을 버리게 한다. 크나큰 도를 성취하려면 먼저 이렇게 얼핏 보기에는 어리석지만 끈기 있는 마음이 필요하다. '성'하면 기운이 솟구쳐 내면이 더욱 안정되고 번뇌는 사라진다. 성심을 수련하면 마음이 안정되고, 마음이 안정되면 정신이 안정되는데, 정신이 안정되면 걱정이 사라지기에 몸도 건강해진다. 삼요체중 '경'과 '신'에 있는 큰 의미 가운데 하나는 상제님에 대한 경배와 믿음을 끝까지 가지라는 것이다. '해원상생·보은상생'은 대순사상의 가장 중요한 대도(大道) 윤리로서 도인들의 수도를 인도하는 기본적인 법칙이다. 대순진리회에서 말하는 해원은 단지 개인 한 사람의 해원이 아니라 우주의 질서를 바로잡는 해원이라는 점에서 중요하다. 그렇기 때문에 대순진리회 도인들은 개개인으로 시작하여 자신의 원한을 해결할 뿐만 아니라, 땅의 원한, 천민의 원한, 여인의 원한 등 모든 원을 해결해 주고자 한다. 즉 삼계의 모든 불평등을 해소하고 불합리한 부분을 바로잡는 것이다. 해원의 다른 측면은 보은이라 할 수 있다. 해원과 보은은 상보상조의 관계에 있는데, 이는 곧 도인들이 행하는 수도의 양 날개라 생각된다. 해원을 통하여 과거의 장애를 제거하고, 보은을 통하여 현재의 덕을 쌓는 것이다. 보은을 하려면 항상 감사의 마음을 간직해야 한다. 그 의미는 인간관계에 있어서 다른 사람이 베푼 은혜를 항상 고맙게 생각해야 한다는 것이며, 더 나아가 천지가 우리에게 베푼 은혜도 감사하게 생각해야 한다는 것이다. 모든 원한이 풀어지고, 모든 은혜를 다 갚았을 때 삼계가 조화롭고 통하게 될 것이다. 대순진리회에서는 도인들의 실천수도 면에서 두 가지 측면을 강조하는데, 즉 포덕교화와 근언신행이다. 근언신행은 자아발전을 위한 도인들의 내적 수련이며, 포덕교화는 도인들이 외부 세상에 대순사상을 알리고 가르치는 것을 말한다. 양자는 동전의 양면과 같이 떨어질 수 없는 관계에 있다. 다른 사람을 포덕·교화 하려면 도인들 스스로가 먼저 말과 행동에 조심해야 한다. 왜냐하면 말과 행동을 조심하는 것 자체가 곧 포덕교화에서 다른 사람의 모범이 되기 때문이다. 인생을 살면서 추구해야 할 가장 높은 목표는 덕(德)을 세우는 것이고, 그 다음은 공(功)을 세우는 것이며, 그 다음은 언(言)을 세우는 것이다. 덕·공·언은 세월이 지나도 그 가치가 빛을 바래지 않는다. 이 세 가지 중 한 가지를 이룬 사람이면 불후하다고 할 수 있다. 성인들이 성인으로 칭송 받았던 이유는 모두 육체를 초월한 덕·공·언으로 세상을 풍요롭게 했기 때문이다. 그렇기 때문에 비록 그들이 세상을 떠났다 하더라도 마치 살아있는 것처럼 영원히 추앙되니, 이것을 통하여 영생을 얻는 것이다. '영생(永生)' 만큼 높은 경지에 도달하는 '양생'이 또 어디에 있겠는가? 대순진리회 실천수도의 최고목표는 바로 인간 내면의 수양을 최고의 경지로 끌어올리는 것으로서 이는 곧 음양합덕·도통진경이다. 다시 말해서 영원히 불후한 경지에 이르고 만세(萬歲)토록 영생하는 것이며 신(神) 그리고 성인이 되는 것이다.

An Interpretation of Human View in Daesoon Thought: From the Perspective of Mircea Eliade's New Humanism (엘리아데의 관점으로 본 대순사상의 인간관 연구)

  • Ahn, Shin
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.33
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    • pp.1-30
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    • 2019
  • There have been three trends in the study of the view of humanity in Daesoon Thought: insider theology, outsider theology, and religious studies. This article is intended to interpret the view of humanity in Daesoon Thought from the perspective of Mircea Eliade's New Humanism. We find similarities between Daesoon Thought and Eliade's New Humanism. Daesoon Thought deals with the complexities of life as being labyrinth-like and puts Jeungsan's view of humanity at the center of a Daesoon worldview. Jeungsan examines the existential problems which humans face in the Former World, and gives the religious remedies of Haewonsangsaeng (the resolution of grievances for mutual beneficence) and Boeunsangsaeng (the grateful reciprocation of favors for mutual beneficence) to transform humanity's worldview for usage in the Later World. Jeungsan suggests a way of peace instead of the revolution of Donghak. Through the Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth, Jeungsan changes the mutual contention of the Former World into the mutual beneficence of the Later World. The cosmology of Daesoon Thought recovers the relationship between divine beings and human beings in the three realms, and proposes a system of ethics that promotes virtue and reproves vices and human-centericism. In conclusion, the view of humanity in Daesoon Thought is an unapologetic view of homo-religiosus from within a new humanism.

A Study on the Idea of Sangsaeng in Daesoonjinrihoe (대순진리회의 '상생' 이념에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Gyeong-Won
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.18
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    • pp.25-52
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    • 2004
  • The history of the mankind, that is the history of the war, have been continued with the consecutive of the struggle and confrontation. In the history of many war, the most important factor of them is just the religion. so that today, for the mankind to long for the peace, all believers are charged with very important mission. Confronting with the 21th century, yet the war is not ceasing in an earth one side. At this time if we are to investigate the problem of real peace, we need to present uprightly the direction of basic religious factor and solution. In Korea, which is keeping deep religious mind, the Daesoon thought that appears newly at the modern times is proposing the 'Haewonsangsaeng'(eliminating resentment and helping one another) as new peace idea of 21th century. In this thought, we can discover the reason of the conflict to appear in the history of mankind. And there is a new idea of peace, that is to say, which is called 'sangsaeng'(mutual aid and cooperation). In this article, centering upon Sangsaeng idea, I try to introduce the new viewpoint of Daesoon thought about the conflict and peace.

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A Study on the Religiosity of Filial Piety Ethics in Daesoonjinrihoe (대순진리회의 효 윤리에 나타난 종교성 연구)

  • Cha, Seon-keun
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.27
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    • pp.171-200
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    • 2016
  • This paper will analyze the filial piety based ethics of Daesoonjinrihoe (大巡眞理會) and the traditional filial piety of Confucianism (儒敎), Buddhism (佛敎) and Taoism (道敎) through comparing and contrasting their unique systems. The traditional Korean ethics regarding filial piety are in great need of reformation as the relationship between the parents and children should not be vertical or unilateral but parallel and reciprocal. However, there have not been sufficient in-depth studies on this specific ideology and alternative approaches. Regarding this prospect, one representative Korean indigenous new religion, Daesoonjinrihoe has emerged and directly engages in the collision between traditionalism and modernity. The modernity of Daesoonjinrihoe, enables the observation of how the filial piety based ethics have developed within a system of doctrine and thereby provides an exemplary model of traditional filial piety reimagined in accordance with modern sensibilities. A brief summary of comparative findings is as follows: First, Daesoonjinrihoe and Confucianism have taken serving parents with respect as an ethic within filial piety, but Confucianism engenders this ideal through the unilateral and unconditional sacrifice of younger people based on patriarchal feudalism whereas Daesoonjinrihoe has rejected such unilateral sacrifice and instead promotes mutual beneficience between parents and children. This difference occurs, in part, due to the filial piety of Confucianism rising in the midst of the feudal order whereas the ideology of Daesoonjinrihoe contains ideals such as "the reciprocation of favor for mutual beneficence (報恩相生)" and "respect for humanity (人尊)," both of which serve as key principles of the new religious world as envisioned by Daesoonjinrihoe. Second, filial piety in Buddhism and Taoism tends to be passive and inactive and is often expressed by praying for happiness and longevity for one's parents while they are alive and later praying for the heavenly rebirth of one's parents after they die. The filial piety of Daesoonjinrihoe also partially contains such ideas, however; they are extended much further and arrive upon novel and profound expressions. The spectrum of the filial piety in Daesoonjinrihoe expands to the extent children perform actions to resolve their parent's sins and pave a new road for their parents. This filial piety requires a cultivation practice from both parents and children. This system of dual cultivation was established because the world-view of Daesoonjinrihoe enables both parents and children to enjoy happiness and wealth both of which are achieved through the completion of religious objectives following cultivation practice. Third, Confucianism and Daesoonjinrihoe hold memorial services for ancestors with sincerity as an expression of filial piety. Filial piety in the Confucian context excludes ideas from Shamanism and thereby memorial services are held for impersonal entities, however; in the Daesoonjinrihoe context, memorial services are held for personal-entities. Accordingly, holding a memorial service for ancestors with sincerity has a greater sense of realism in Daesoonjinrihoe than it does in Confucianism. Fourth, while Confucianism and Daesoonjinrihoe both aim to requite the grace received from ancestors, the contents of grace and reciprocation of favors (報恩) are viewed differently. In Confucianism, since the ancestors existed previously and bestowed the gift of life to their children and indirectly, all of their descendents. Therefore, memorial services for ancestors are held to convey gratitude and filial piety. However, in Daesoonjinrihoe, ancestors not only bestowed the gift of earthly life to their descendents, in the spirit realm, ancestral spirits also spend sixty years accumulating the merit necessary to imbue each of their descendents with spiritual insight. Consequently, filial piety is expressed through memorial services as well as spiritual cultivation. Fifth, in Confucianism, achieving the fame and prestige indicative of success in the mundane world can be an act of filial piety as it would bring pride to one's ancestors, but in Daesoonjinrihoe, succeeding in religious objectives through spiritual cultivation is considered to be a higher form of filial piety. Sixth, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism all observe filial piety as system of familial ethics based in morality. This is likewise true of Daesoonjinrihoe, however; Daesoonjinrihoe confers greater importance on filial piety as an essential form of ethics for religious redemption. This is due to the Daesoon interpretation that the absence of filial piety was the direct cause which led to the sickened state of the world and its collapse. Forgetting the grace of parents who have given the gift of life or the grace of ancestral spirits who have accumulated merit on behalf of their descendents are acts of ingratitude which are unacceptable during the period of Reordering of the Universe. Judging from these findings, Daesoonjinrihoe embraces parts of traditional filial piety as it exists in Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, but it does so on the ground of its own unique culture. Through re-interpretation and re-creation, ideas regarding filial piety are being further developed. Namely, filial piety in Daesoonjinrihoe is regulations founded upon the reciprocation of favors for mutual beneficence and respect for humanity. Therefore, it is understood as a concept wherein one's own cultivation practice is performed in order to reach religious objectives, the perfection of personal character, and spiritual insight. This requires that even recipents of filial piety (i.e., parents) perform certain cultivation practices to enjoy happiness and wealth. Additionally, filial piety in Daesoonjinrihoe manifests a reinforced religious character and also serves as a system ethics which is soteriologically essential for salvation during the period known as the Reordering of the Universe.

A Comparative Study on Grievance Resolution, Gratitude and the Perspective of Mutual Beneficence in Daesoonjinrihoe and Confucianism (대순진리회와 유가의 해원, 보은, 상생관에 대한 비교연구)

  • Yang, Zilu
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.24_2
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    • pp.57-82
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    • 2015
  • Grievance resolution, gratitude and mutual beneficence are not only an essential dogma of Daesoonjinrihoe but also a major issue which Chinese Confucian scholars have been concerned about. In this context, this study compares the perspectives of grievance resolution, gratitude, mutual beneficence based on basic scriptures of Daesoonjinrihoe and ancient Chinese Confucianism. With nurture and benevolence as core thoughts, the ways of ruling the world in righteousness and proprieties have common characteristics of Daesoonjinrihoe and Confucianism. The Heavenly Way, which is rather an abstract conception, is perceived as a Confucianism ultimate ground. Because Confucianism does what is right for nurture, embracing rationality, the religious aspects are not clearly defined, it is the difference between Daesoonjinrihoe and Chinese Confucianism. In this regard, this study compares similarities and differences between the two cultures to promote mutual understanding.

Problems with Comparative Research on Daesoon Thought and Shamanism as Related to Jeungsan's Concept of Grievance-Resolution (무속과 증산의 해원사상 비교를 통해 본 대순사상 연구 관점의 문제)

  • Cha, Seon-keun
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.38
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    • pp.115-151
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    • 2021
  • According to Lee Young-geum, the ideas of grievance resolution and mutual beneficence were already present in shamanism. She also insists that Jeungsan merely theorized upon these ideas by inheriting them and his religious activities must be identified from within a shamanistic worldview. Contrary to Lee's claim, Cha Seon-keun argues that the grievance resolution of Jeungsan is far beyond the contents and level of development found in shamanism. He also insists that Jeungsan's religious activities must be identified as having a certain orderly uniqueness distinct from shamanism. The argument between these two different perspectives has not attracted other researchers besides those who are directly involved. However, this debate deserves attention with regard to the problem of how one approaches a given religion and which academic perspective should be applied. Based on the perspective of the Daesoon Jinrihoe, this study examines their debate by considering four issues. Firstly, whether Jeungsan inherited or expanded upon the subject of grievance resolution and its range remains undetermined. Secondly, the ethics of mutual beneficence and grateful reciprocation in Jeungsan's concept of grievance resolution should be analyzed as to whether that idea reasserts the ethics of shamanism. Thirdly, it is necessary to study whether his method of grievance resolution fully embraced the methods of grievance resolution that exist in shamanism. Lastly, it should be determined whether or not Jeungsan's religious activities and system of thought should be identified within a shamanistic worldview. Through this review, Lee and Cha can be shown to have different opinions on the academic approach to research on religion. Accordingly, this study concludes that Lee's method of only interpreting Jeungsan's religious thought via a shamanic worldview is incompatible with academic methodology. A scholar of religious studies should discuss Jeungsan on his own merits rather than just imply that Jeungsan thoroughly reflects the worldview of shamanism, doctrinal studies of Buddhism, and Daoist thought as well as other theologies. In other words, if certain tangible and intangible elements found in shamanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Christianity are also observed in Jeungsan's religious thought, it is necessary to comprehend how different or similar those elements are or whether they are re-interpreted in any manner. In the case of Lee, her method of overemphasizing similarities is now criticized as outdated. Nowadays, it is necessary to demonstrate awareness of modern religious studies tendency to pay equal attention to similarities and differences.

Daesoon Jinrihoe Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex as Viewed within Feng-Shui Theory (풍수지리로 본 대순진리회 여주본부도장)

  • Shin, Young-dae
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.33
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    • pp.91-145
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    • 2019
  • This study aims to reveal that Daesoon Jinrihoe Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex is a sacred place of Gaebyeokgongsa (the Reordering Works of the Great Opening) through the logic of the energy of form in Feng-Shui studies. The Headquarters Temple Complex can illuminate the lamp of coexistence, emerge as a place for cultivation, and support the era of human nobility with Gucheonsangje (the Supreme God of the Ninth Heaven) as an object of faith. Virtuous Concordance of Yin and Yang, Harmonious Union between Divine Beings and Human Beings, the Resolution of Grievances for Mutual Beneficence, and Perfected Unification with Dao are the mission statements of this great site. For this purpose, it is necessary to investigate the headquarters according to integral Feng-Shui Theory. Doing so can provide proof that the geographic location, landscape, yin-yang harmonizing, and flowing veins of terrestrial energy at Headquarters Temple Complex are all profoundly auspicious. At the same time, this data also allows further study into the interactions of dragon-veins, energy hubs, surrounding mountains, and watercourses, which reveal how Daesoon Jinrihoe Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex promotes the basic works of propagation, edification, and cultivation and three societal works of charity aid, social welfare, and education for the purpose of global propagation, saving beings, and building an earthly paradise by reforming humanity and engaging in spiritual civilization. This must be done on site with proper Feng-Shui in order to open up the era of human nobility upon the Great Opening of the Later World. As the center of the religious order, Daesoon Jinrihoe, Yeoju Headquarter Temple Complex has the general Feng-Shui characteristic of Baesanimsu (a back supported by a mountain and a front facing water). Through discussing the Feng-Shui of Daesoon Jinrihoe's Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex as the center of humankind's resolution of grievances for mutual beneficence, this study would explore growth-supporting land that delivers future rewards through Feng-Shui symbolism and the ethical practice of grateful reciprocation of favors for mutual beneficence. This exploration will reveal how the geographical features and conditions of the Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex make it a place fit for spiritual cultivation. It is a miraculous luminous court surrounded by mountains, where auspicious signs in eight directions gather. Its veins of terrestrial energy harmonize with clean water energy as it is affectionately situated within its natural environment. Its location corresponds with the Feng-Shui theory of dragon-veins, energy hubs, surrounding mountains, and watercourses. Thus, with regards to the Feng-Shui of Daesoon Jinrihoe's Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex, this study examines the flows of mountains and waters and focuses on how the site is based on the logic of Feng-Shui. More generally, the geographical features of the surrounding mountains are likewise examined. An analysis of the relationship between Poguk (布局) of Sasinsa (animal symbols of the four directions, four gods, including blue dragon of the east, red phoenix of the south, white tiger of the west, and black tortoise of the north) and the location will be provided while focusing on the Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex. This study supports the feasibility of further Feng-Shui studies of the Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex based on traditional geomancy books that focusing on Hyeonggi (Energy of Form) Theory.