• 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.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.48
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• pp.239-268
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• 2024

Video content is often used as a means of education due to the characteristics of the medium: representation, information delivery, immersion, and experience. In particular, religious films are being used more often in public schools and religious communities to promote understanding and inspiration. The purpose of this study is to examine how Daesoon Jinrihoe utilizes video content via the film, The Road to Peace and Harmony, and the videos that were made for the Museum of Daesoon Jinrihoe Museum. The study will also make suggestions regarding the future use of such contents. In Section 2 of this study, the status of the video contents as currently used by Daesoon Jinrihoe will be examined and analyzed in terms of how the film, The Road to Peace and Harmony, and the videos produced for the Museum of Daesoon Jinrihoe are being utilized. In Section 3, the limitations of Daesoon Jinrihoe's video contents will be considered in that these materials in terms of how these videos are only used within the religious order. There is the potential that such materials could be used in broader society. Lastly, in Section 4, it is proposed that video materials produced by Daesoon Jinrihoe could be used within multicultural religious education in a public setting beyond mere in-group religious education. Through this, it is hoped that Daesoon Jinrihoe will be able to expand as a world religion in a more timely manner than what would otherwise be achieved.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.49
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• pp.1-52
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• 2024

One notable characteristic of Daesoon Jinrihoe's view of time, is its perception of time as a passive entity. This signifies that, in the context of Daesoon Jinrihoe, time is subject to influence through experience, specifically undergoing re-calibration or governance. The summary of this perspective is as follows: Firstly, Daesoon Jinrihoe's understanding of time incorporates a historical viewpoint characterized by the law of entropy, which posits that disorder increases as time progresses. Secondly, within the world established by Daesoon Jinrihoe, time experiences transformation before and after the Great Opening. Prior to this event, time follows a helical model characterized by increasing chaotic disorder, whereas in the Later World, the helical model reflects only Mutual Beneficence, symbolizing progress and development in the era. Thirdly, the Great Opening re-calibrates time, serving as the criterion for determining human life. Prior to the Great Opening, time recorded human life in a manner marked by Mutual Contention, whereas afterward, it will record human life as being characterized by Mutual Beneficence. This re-calibration of time leads precisely to directional (spatial) re-calibration. Fourthly, the Great Opening re-calibrates the order of time and space. In the Former World, space held precedence over time. However, the Great Opening changes this dynamic, with time assuming precedence over space in the Later World. In this context, the integration of time and space establishes a worldview. Fifthly, in the worldview of Daesoon Jinrihoe, time serves as a vehicle for the governance of the Supreme God. The Supreme God governs all things by controlling time, orchestrating changes spanning birth (saeng, 生), growth (jang, 長), harvest (yeom, 斂), and storage (jang, 藏), much like how problems are resolved through natural progress without requiring deliberate action. Lastly, time functions as a medium through which entities that strive to achieve unification with the Dao come to govern all things. For this reason, achieving unification with the Dao in Daesoon Jinrihoe specifically refers to the governance of time.

• 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.

• 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.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.37
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• pp.107-140
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• 2021

In this article, I reveal the ontological basis or grounds of 'Sangsaeng' through the Heideggerian Thought by focusing on 'HaewonSangsaeng' in Daesoon Thought and Daesoon Jinrihoe. 'Sangsaeng' means 'to live (well) with others.' 'Living' in this context means not only humans living among humans, but also all beings that exist and are able to live well with each other. At this time, we can find the basis for 'Sangsaeng' in Daesoon Thought or Daesoon Jinrihoe through Heidegger's 'Geviert-Welt,' 'Gelassenheit,' and 'Wohnen.' In other words, we can provide a basis for 'Sangsaeng' through 'Geviert-Welt' in which one of the 'four' of 'earth, sky, divine things, and those who will die' unfold in a mutually beneficent manner, and the human attitude of 'Gelassenheit' can enter 'Geviert-Welt.' Naturally, when limited to humans, this 'Sangsaeng' is achieved through 'Wohnen,' a way of being a human who enters the 'Gevirt-Welt' and lives while taking care of everything that exists. However, 'Wohnen' takes place in 'Geiert-Welt.' Therefore, in this article, I insist that the ethical ideology or guideline of Daesoon Thought or Daesoon Jinrihoe's 'Sangsaeng' is already ideologically achieved through an ontological horizon such as 'Gevier-Welt,' 'Gelassenheit,' and 'Wohnen.' And under these circumstances, it can be revealed that 'Haewon' is already being resolved.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.28
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• pp.243-265
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• 2017

In this research, I define 'conscience' in Daesoon thought as the 'Restorative capability of returning to one's roots.' The notion of conscience forms a structure of separation and return, and it is connected to the ascetic aim of realizing human perfection. The conscience opens up potential possibilities and leads realization of potential possibilities by returning to the the point of origin. In the middle of separation and return, the conscience acts as the power of subjectivity possessed by human beings which is known as 'In jon (Human Nobility)' in Daesoon thought. The concept of conscience in Daesoon thought is connected with the subjectivity of In jon and free will as well as the character of subjectivity. This shares commonalities with critical thinking, modern characteristics, and the subjectivity of Heidegger's existentialism. Heidegger describes human fate from an existentialist vantage point using terms such as dasein, Geworfenheit, and Entwurf, and establishes human existence as an act of self-recovery from within in a lonely existential establishment. Daesoon thought implies that humanity is the root of ultimate reality, and this description is in sharp contrast with the thrownness (Geworfenheit) of Heidegger's subjectivity. Therefore, Daesoon thought can be seen as unique in its characterization of humanity as being connected to the root of ultimate reality, autonomy, and independent existence.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.48
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• pp.269-303
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• 2024

Donghak's teaching, In-nae-cheon, means "humans are divine." It is said, "When humans were formed, God's blessing was required for their formation." Donghak's Sincerity, Respectfulness, and Faithfulness is based on believing in God, respecting God, and practicing His teachings with utmost sincerity. These are key to implementing In-nae-cheon. On the other hand, the Three Essential Attitudes in Daesoon Thought, also Sincerity, Respectfulness, and Faithfulness, appear in a religious sense. These can be distinguished from Sincerity, Respectfulness, and Faithfulness in the Donghak moral sense. Sincerity, Respectfulness, and Faithfulness in the context of the Three Essential Attitudes in Daesoon Thought goes beyond moral awareness, and calls for belief in God as the Absolute. Accordingly, Sincerity, Respectfulness, and Faithfulness in this context, that of Daesoon Thought, aims at the realization of an Earthly Paradise wherein God's will can be achieved. Humans participating in the construction of Earthly Paradise value the practice of Sincerity, Respectfulness, and Faithfulness. In Daesoon Thought, it is said that when one exerts sincerity, respect, and faith in God (Sangje), all the blessings and fortune of the Later World, even those of longevity, will be endowed through transformation via effortless action (無爲而化). Accordingly, Sincerity, Respectfulness, and Faithfulness in the context of the Three Essential Attitudes in Daesoon Thought is based on God's descent into the world and His Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth (天地公事). This is a religious faith that worships Sangje and is based on the doctrinal dimension of 'guarding against self-deception (毋自欺)' and the philosophical dimension of Sincerity, Respectfulness, and Faithfulness in the context of the Three Essential Attitudes in Daesoon Thought. Donghak's In-nae-cheon and the Three Essential Attitudes in Daesoon Thought can be compared and analyzed. Therefore, in order to clearly compare and analyze the moral significance of Donghak history and the religious meaning of Daesoon Thought, Roderick Ninian Smart's method of religious phenomenology can be actively used. In this way, the ethical and legal dimensions of Donghak's In-nae-cheon and the doctrinal and philosophical dimensions of the Three Essential Attitudes in Daesoon Thought can be compared and analyzed. From this style of research, it can be concluded that the realization of commonly shared spirituality can be an opportunity for greater human dignity.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.46
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• pp.33-68
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• 2023

Simwudo (尋牛圖), known as Ox Seeking Pictures, originated in the 11th-12th century and have consistently played a guiding role in the teachings of various religions in East Asia. Some Korean religions that emerged during modern times conveyed their teachings through depictions of ox seeking or herding. Among them, Daesoon Jinrihoe stands out as a representative religion. The belief system of this particular religion elucidates its distinct doctrine and worldview by reimagining Simwudo, into a new set of six panels (seven or nine panels in some variations). The Simwudo of Daesoon Jinrihoe differs from that of Buddhism, particularly in its treatment of meditation (禪), both in terms of context and significance. While they share similarities in the aspect of ox-seeking, the Buddhist Simwudo symbolizes human nature, whereas the Simwudo of Daesoon Jinrihoe represents the great Dao of Heaven and Earth propagated by Kang Jeungsan and brought into completion by Jo Jeongsan. In the Buddhist context, the subject of the search is the Ox, signifying the restoration of a deluded human's pure nature in order to achieve personal salvation and in some version of Simwudo, reenter society to perform salvific actions for others. On the other hand, in the Simwudo of Daesoon Jinrihoe depicts the process of a human attaining immortality and following the teachings of Jeungsan and Jeongsan. This culminates in the final image which is the redemption of the world. The final phase of the Buddhist Simwudo, depending on the version, is either enlightenment (personal salvation) or reentering society to perform salvific actions (as a bodhisattva), whereas the Simwudo of Daesoon Jinrihoe show the simultaneous achievement of the perfection of humanity and the redemption of the world. This distinction highlights the fundamental differences between the Simwudo of these two distinctly different religious traditions. These differences arise from the contrasting purposes pursued by Buddhism and Daesoon Jinrihoe.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.30
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• pp.95-130
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• 2018

In religious studies, soteriology is a belief system that aims to compensate and solve the existential suffering of human beings through a doctrinal system of healing, liberation, and salvation as advocated by various religions. The purpose of this study is to understand the soteriology of Dasesoon Jinrihoe, a Korean new religion, and to understand its characteristics. The soteriology of Daesoon Jinrihoe is closely related to the theory of The Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth. The Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth is a doctrinal system in which the Supreme God, Jeungsan, was incarnated into a human body to rescue the world and creation and to achieve this, he had performed various religious works. In addition, the soteriology of Daesoon Jinrihoe is linked to the theory of orthodox lineage spanning Jeungsan to Jeongsan and lastly to Udang. The work of salvation performed by Jeungsan is settled by Jeongsan who systematized it into methods of practice. This soteriology has distinctive differences separating it from traditional religious traditions. First, it shows the characteristic of offering salvation through a supreme, personal God. Second, Jeungsan is seen as having changed the cosmic law and provided the basis for the world and creation to be saved. Finally, it proposes a theory that saving the world and creation is to be achieved through the principle of the Resolution of Grievances.