• Title/Summary/Keyword: 종교적 진리

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Sangje and Samkye: The Cosmology of Daesoonjinrihoe in East Asian New Religions (상제와 삼계: 대순진리회의 우주론과 동아시아신종교)

  • Kim, David W.
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.25_1
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    • pp.189-229
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    • 2015
  • 동아시아의 19세기는 근대화 물결 안에서 변화의 시대였다. 중국, 한국, 일본은 식민지적 압박가운데 정치적 위기를 대면하였고 선진 문물과 기독교는 사회, 문화, 종교, 사상의 변화를 가져왔다. 신종교운동도 각 나라에서 다양한 형태와 철학으로 등장하였다. 이들의 근본적인 사상은 일반적으로 불교, 유교, 도교, 신교, 샤머니즘과 연관되어 있었다. 근대한국이 정치적 혼란을 겪을 때 여러 신종교들이 1860년을 전후로 나타났다. 나중에 천도교가 된 동학, 증산계, 대종교, 원불교 가운데 증산계 계통의 대순진리회는 사회-종교적인 영향력 차원에서 한국에서 가장 성공적인 신종교 운동이다. 그들은 상제가 스스로 구천에서 혼탁한 삼계를 회복하기 위해 직적 내려왔음을 따르고 있다. 그렇다면, 구천상제에 대한 가르침이 어떻게 이해되고 있을까? 대순진리회의 근본적인 우주관은 무엇일까? 또, 이것이 일본의 유명한 천리교와 중국(대만)의 대규모 일관도와 어떻게 구분될까? 이 논문은 청계탑의 상직적인 콘셉트 안에서 대순의 상제관과 우주관의 관계를 이해하고자 대순의 경전격인 전경, 현무경, 예화들인 심우도, 사신도, 12지신도 등을 탐구할 것이면 이 한국의 대표적인 신종교의 우주관을 천지공사와 후천의 가르침과 연관하여 논리적으로 접근해석 할 것이다.

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.

대순사상의 종교 문화 조화정신

  • 왕쭝위
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.22
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    • pp.87-131
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    • 2014
  • 한국은 백 년 이래로 군사적 침략과 경제적 대변혁을 맞았으며, 또한 종교와 문화적 측면에서 전통의 중흥기와 서학의 유입에 대한 문제를 경험하게 되었다. 이런 점에서 한국의 역사적 경험은 주변 국가의 국민들이 배울 만한 의미가 있다고 생각된다. 이와 연관하여 대순진리회가 역사를 계승하고 창신을 이루어나가는 측면의 문제는 정리해볼 만한 가치가 있다. 대순진리회의 종지는 '음양합덕, 신인조화, 해원상생, 도통진경'이다. 특히 대순진리회는 해원상생 사상으로 조화정신을 집중적으로 잘 나타내고 있다. 대순진리회의 해원은 고대 단주로부터의 원을 푸는 것에서 시작되며, 인류가 근본적으로 여러 세대에 걸친 원한을 풀어야만 행복하고 안락한 시대에 진입할 수 있다는 역사관을 보여주고 있다. 대순진리회가 해원을 푸는 방책으로 제시하는 상생은 당시의 갑오동학혁명이나 역사상 많은 종교에서 원한을 해결하는 방법과 구별되는 것이다. 과거에 있어서는 상극의 방법으로 원한을 해결하여 왔으나, 상극의 방식은 오히려 새로운 원한을 더욱 만들어 낼 수 있기 때문에, 현대에 있어 원한을 제거할 수 있는 방법은 악을 선으로써 대하는 것이라고 한다. 증산 성사 및 그 후학들은 사회의 질서를 새롭게 세우는 문제와 전통사회에서 인간 간의 조화를 방해하고 원한을 용인하는 구습을 개조하고 원을 소멸하는 문제에 주의를 기울였다. 이러한 변혁은 평등의 관념을 나타내고 있다. 증산께서는 전 세계적인 관점에서 민족과 국가 그리고 종교 간의 조화를 실현해야 할 것을 강조하셨다. 당시 동아시아 국가는 매우 폐쇄적인 상황에서 서양 국가의 침략을 받던 시기였는데, 증산 성사께서 미래의 세계는 마땅히 화합을 이루고 서로의 장점을 배우는 세계가 될 것임을 예견하셨다는 것은 그의 위대함을 보여주는 대목이다. 증산의 후천개벽사상 역시 조화의 정신을 나타내고 있다. 후천개벽사상은 전통적 참위를 현대적으로 개조한 것으로 민중을 적극적으로 인도하기 위한 것이다. 다음으로, 증산께서는 각 종교에 대해 관용적인 태도를 표하셨고, 또한 매우 진지한 태도로 타 종교로부터 자신이 주창하는 사상과 관련한 자원을 흡수하셨다. 동양의 전통적인 유불선 삼교를 가장 중요한 종교와 문화형태로 인정하시고, 그 삼교의 내용을 두로 포용하셨으며, 심지어 예수교와 서양문화까지 모두 아우르는 태도를 보여주셨다. 서양의 문화 역시 증산께서 추구하시는 신세계의 한 부분이었기 때문이다. 이러한 사실은 증산께서 당시 세계의 역사적 방향에 대해 통찰하고 있었고 이 통찰 속에서 종교 간의 관계가 조화롭게 되어야 함을 주창했음을 말해 준다. 대순사상에는 민간 무교의 내용 역시 풍부하게 들어있다. 부뚜막신, 사명, 아표신, 마장군, 백의군왕, 황천신 등 민간에서 유행했던 다양한 신령숭배의 내용을 흡수했을 뿐만 아니라, 주문과 부를 태우는 법술로 신명과 관련된 내용을 표현하고 있으며, 칠성과 관우의 신앙까지 수용하고 있다. 또한 증산 성사는 동학과 같은 신종교까지 받아들이셨다. 증산께서는 동학혁명의 비참한 최후를 완화시켰던 위대한 역사적 공적을 이루셨으며, 신종교 운동의 사회적 형태를 변화시켰을 뿐 아니라, 서로 다른 내력을 지닌 교도들간의 관계를 조화롭게 하였다. 이로 볼 때 결국 증산께서 주창한 대순사상은 사람들 간의 충돌과 모순을 소멸시키고, 조화와 상생의 사회 환경을 창조하고자 하는 것이었다고 할 수 있다.

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.

The Meaning and Modern Value of Daesoon Jinrihoe's Doctrinal and Philosophical Notion of 'Feminine Virtue' (대순진리회 교리에서의 '여덕'사상과 현대적 가치)

  • Zhan, Shichuang;Yu, Guoqing
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.31
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    • pp.1-45
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    • 2018
  • Daesoon Jinrihoe is one of Korea's most influential religious organizations. Its doctrines and creeds include a rich variety of concepts, and among these, the philosophical notion of 'feminine virtue' holds tremendous value. This paper will explore the multitude meanings of feminine virtue, assume these as a foundation, and then examine the doctrines of Daesoon Jinrihoe to analyze the universality and uniqueness of the philosophical notion of feminine virtue. Additionally, background theoretical points of interest and distinctive features will likewise be analyzed to show the truly valuable lessons that this concept holds for today and why it is so worthy of research and promotion.

A Study on the Possibility of 'World Religion' in Daesoon Jinrihoe (대순진리회의 '세계종교' 가능성에 관한 연구)

  • Kwon, Dong-woo
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.35
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    • pp.73-107
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    • 2020
  • Daesoon Jinrihoe tends to be perceived as a 'nationalistic religion' by both internal members of the religious body and outside scholars of religious studies. However, the character of this particular nationalistic religion is rather complex. On top of emphasizing the special status of the Korean ethnic group while focusing on nationalism as a nationalistic religion, Daesoon Jinrihoe futrther asserts an implication of the universality of world religion aiming to bring relief to humankind and the world. This dynamic is one of the specificity of nationalistic religion and also the universality of world religion. However, this dual logic of specificity and universality is not characteristic of only Daesoon Jinrihoe. Many religions in the world have also exhibited duplicity as nationalistic religions and world religions. And this thesis pays attention to Sectarian Shinto as it formed in modern Japan. Kyoha Shinto formed when the modern Japanese government established the national Shinto system which had a total of 13 sects. Most of them do not only call themselves a nationalistic religion, inheriting the ethnic tradition of Japanese people, but also jump into overseas missionary work. This started during the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars. With that in mind, how did the overseas missionary work of Sectarian Shinto aspire for status as a world religion while maintaining their identities as nationalistic religions? Furthermore, how did their movements fare in their efforts to become world religions? Thus, this thesis aims to examine the possibility Daesoon Jinrihoe becoming a world religion through some cases of Sectarian Shinto that showed the duplicity as nationalistic religions and world religions. Also, this thesis makes suggestions regarding the future direction of Daesoon Jinrihoe. As such, this paper aims to review the new direction of Daesoon Jinrihoe as it stands on the borderline between being a nationalistic religion and a world religion. This is done by examining the historical flow of theory regarding 'nationalistic religion' or 'minjung religion' which have long been discussed in Korean society. Also examined is the case of Won Buddhism which likewise aims to simultaneosuly be both a nationalistic religion in Korea and a world religion abroad.

Bonbu and Bangmyeon: The Lineage Principle in Daesoon Jinrihoe (본부와 방면 - 대순진리회 종교조직의 특성 -)

  • Irons, Edward
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.35
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    • pp.427-476
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    • 2020
  • Park Wudang formally registered Daesoon Jinrihoe in 1969. While it shares ideas and history with other Jeungsanist groups, this paper argues that its organizational profile is unique. The two major institutional structures, the bonbu (headquarters) and the bangmyeon (branch) have together created space for the rapid development of this Korean new religion. The bonbu is a centralized hierarchy, while the bangmyeon exhibits the strong loyalty and cohesiveness of the clan. Running throughout both structural forms is the lineage concept, which is conceived here as an articulating paradigm able to operate in different organizational forms. This finely-balanced institutional structure makes a major contribution to Daesoon Jinrihoe's ability to fulfill its religious mission. The first side of this balance is the headquarters, which includes the core organization based in Yeoju as well as some outside temples and training centers. All of these were established under the direction of the Lord of Principle, the Dojeon, Park Wudang. Park Wudang also fixed the Dao Constitution, the Doheon, which serves as a blueprint for governance. From the Central Council to the various institutions for propagation, guidance, and auditing, current management practices conform closely to Park Wudang's organization vision. The second aspect of Daesoon Jinrihoe's organization is the branch structure. The larger branches, such as Yeongwol and Geumreung, are complex organizations in their own rights. The paper concludes by characterizing the two major axes of headquarters and branch as organizational types. Using Robert Quinn and Kim Cameron's institutional typology, the paper concludes that the bonbu is a classic centralized hierarchy with its focus on efficiency. The bangmyeon, in contrast, with its high level of group identity and spirit, comes approximates the clan institutional structure.

Daesoonjinrihoe from both Superficial Religious Perspectives and Deep Religious Perspectives : Focused on Religious Experience (표층과 심층의 시각에서 바라본 대순진리회 - 종교적 경험의 관점에서 -)

  • Lee, Eun-hui
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.27
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    • pp.245-282
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    • 2016
  • Currently, the whole world is being swept away by spiritual movements seeking divinity in oneself. Yet there are terror attacks, religious disputes and other conflicts continuously taking place on larger and larger scales as well as expanding further and further throughout the world. Interreligious harmony seems like a distant ideal. What is the ultimate cause of religious conflicts? Is interreligious communication truly that difficult? Even among different cultures, said cultures' varieties of ritual expressions, and various religious doctrines, there are points of general common to be appreciated if a deep perspective is adopted. When we find the common ground and understand each other's difference, it will be easier to communicate since everyone will be learning from each other. What could serve as common ground for different religions? Many scholars speak about the state of 'oneness' that is claimed by mysticism throughout a large array of religions. This state of oneness is typically not achieved overnight, but it serves as a prospective state which is pluralistically inclusive. This "religion of enlightenment" emphasizes the process of reaching comprehensive interreligious agreement would be characterized by a deep religious perspective. If superficial religious perspectives focuses only on faith to attain blessings and engage in blind belief, then, by contrast, deep religious perspectives emphasize inner divinity, the true self, orthe higher self. The words, 'superficial religious perspective' and 'deep religious perspective' were defined for personal convenience by O Gang-nam, a scholar of comparative religion. Consequently, this classification is a relative binary concept lacking hard and fast rules with regards to distinctions. But the concept of superficial religious perspectives and deep religious perspectives has its advantage in allowing clearer and easier discussion about religions because it could embrace all aspects of religious life and the development of various religious sentiment. In this way, the terms surface religious perspectives and deep religious perspectives will be used in limited framework. I both borrow this concept and reconsider it by referring to other scholars' methods of classification. From that point, I explore and these views in relation to religious experience. How does religiosity develop, maturity of religious faith take place, deep awareness of truth reveal itself, or an attitude of open-mindedness arise? After these states are realized, is interreligious agreement possible? Most religious studies scholars point out 'religious experience.' They say people could develop their faith from superficial religious beliefs into a more mature and deeper faith through religious experience while continuously aspiring towards enlightenment and practicing their religion in daily life. This study will try to examine aspects of superficial religious perspectives and deep religious perspectives represented in each religion and also explore criticism of each religion. With this view of superficial religious perspectives and deep religious perspectives, some cases documenting the religious experience of Daesoonjinrihoe disciples will be analyzed to see how their religiosity develops from superficial religious perspectives into deep religious perspectives through certain religious experiences. The characteristics of those experiences will also be investigated.

A Study on Daesoon Jinrihoe's Participation and Role in International Development Cooperations (대순진리회의 국제개발협력 참여와 역할에 관한 시론적 연구)

  • Park Geon-woo
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.45
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    • pp.103-151
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    • 2023
  • This study aims to examine the International Development Cooperations (IDCs) of Daesoon Jinrihoe and discuss the future prospects of these programs in terms of Daesoon Thought. The international community calls for the active participation of various donors, and this is not limited to only traditional donors such as governments, public institutions, and multilateral organizations. In this regard, the role of Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for religious communities is recognized as important. Daesoon Jinrihoe has systematized its IDCs by expanding its overseas services to implement the three major works with the official establishment of the Daejin International Volunteers Association (DIVA) in 2013. In addition to these activities, Daesoon Jinrihoe was selected by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in 2022. As a new religion, Daesoon Jinrihoe does not provide as much support via FBOs when compared to other traditional religions (Christianity, Buddhism, Catholicism, etc.), but it is able to conduct strategic IDCs by utilizing its expertise and capabilities (education, healthcare, etc.). In fact, the nature and content of the projects carried out by these FBOs and Daesoon Jinrihoe are similar, and the results have been remarkable considering that these programs are still in their infancy. Above all, Daesoon Jinrihoe's foreign aid is more meaningful because it does not have a religious purpose such as missionary work, and it is funded by donations from believers. In carrying out IDCs, it is necessary to promote the professionalism of IDCs based on the strategic linkage of the three major works (charity aid, social welfare, and education). It is also necessary to recognize the value and spirit of IDCs for peace and coexistence based on mutual beneficence.

Daesoonjinrihoe in Korean New Religious Movements (한국 신종교 운동으로서 대순진리회)

  • Kim, David W.
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.24_1
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    • pp.145-208
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    • 2014
  • 아시아 국가들은 근대사에 들어 서양 제국주의와 식민지주의로 인해 정치·사회적 과도기를 경험하였다. 지역종교들도 이러한 영향에서 예외는 아니었는데 19-20세기에 나타난 신종교들이 그 좋은 사례들이다. 한국도 이러한 지구적인 현상에 포함되었다. 주변국들의 문화적 계몽주의와 조선왕조의 쇄국정책 사이의 정치적 혼란은 방향 감각 없는 국가적 위기를 초례했고, 정치·사회적 부패와 국가적 불안정은 중·하류층 시민들로 하여금 고통스러운 삶을 극복하기 위해 새로운 진리나 믿음을 찾게 동요하였다. 근대사에 근원을 둔 대순진리회는 한국에서 가장 영향력 있고 성공적인 신종교일 뿐 아니라 현대사회의 기존 종교들에게도 많은 도전을 주고 있다. 그렇다면 이 신종교운동의 근원은 어디에 있을까? 그들의 교리나 가르침은 어떤 것일까? 다른 신종교적 현상들과 어떻게 구별될까? 이 논문은 창시자인 강증산의 역사적인 출현과 업적을 "성취관념"에서 분석해 볼 뿐 아니라 대순진리회가 기존의 유교, 불교, 도교의 가르침을 단순히 혼합한 것이 아니라 음양합덕, 신인조화, 해원상생, 도통진경의 특유한 가르침들은 미륵사상, 천지공사, 인존사상과 함께 그들의 최고신인 구천상제가 후천세계를 위해 성취한 완전한 미션을 반영하는 창조적인 사상임을 논증할 것이다.