• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.25_2
• /
• pp.1-43
• /
• 2015

Daesoonjinrihoe perceives that human suffering is caused not only by mental factors but also by the cosmic principle of Mutual Overcoming more fundamentally. The relationship influenced among all things in the universe is Mutual Beneficence and Mutual Overcoming. If these relations are properly cooperated in harmony, all things will reveal their energetic existence in a balanced state, however, if one side, particularly, Mutual Overcoming becomes excessive, indeed, it will cause trouble. That is, the sentient beings that are inclined to excessive Mutual Overcoming rather than indispensable Mutual Overcoming make grievances among themselves and cumulate them. In the end, heaven and earth lose its constant Way[常道], leading the sentient beings to all kinds of agonies. However, it may be a problem if every agony is depicted with Mutual Overcoming, that is, one single fixed frame, because Mutual Overcoming has to be interpreted diversely according to the circumstances. Thus, it is not possible to explain precisely about the agony if not understanding its spectrum. This study analyzed the ways how Daesoonjinrihoe explains the aspects of reasons and solutions to a variety of agonies. In the Supreme Scripture of Daesoonjinrihoe, the reasons for agony vary: first, it is caused by Mutual Overcoming of the cosmos itself, which is irrelevant to human beings. Secondly, man can be victimized because of Mutual Overcoming caused by man. Thirdly, there is a case of a victim who is damaged due to Mutual Overcoming caused by the other. Fourthly, man can be victimized because of Mutual Overcoming caused by someone else's unintended deeds. Fifthly, there is a case of man having agony in return when he, as a perpetrator, hurt others or resolve his inappropriate desires. Sixthly, man's deed unintendedly became a sin and have agony in return. Seventhly, man can be a self-perpetrator, conceiving vain desire, obsession and grievance. Eightly, there is a case of man having agony during enforcement of the law or practice of justice. Ninthly, man needs to endure agony during self-cultivation, enacting Reordering of the Universe(天地公事), ritual practice, promotion of fortune, and test. However, it is important to make sure that the reason for agony can interact with not only one but also diverse models in real situation. These nine models are included in the category of Mutual Overcoming; but, these cannot be classified in a single term, Mutual Overcoming because much information will be hidden, only to make it difficult to explain about agony more precisely. There are some characteristic observed in the concept of agony in Daesoonjinrihoe as follows: first, reasons for agony are caused by Mutual Overcoming although Mutual Overcoming can be interpreted differently according to the circumstances. Secondly, Daesoonjinrihoe makes a positive valuation for some agony. Thirdly, the solution to overcome a agony is brought to a conclusion, that is cultivation practice of Daesoonjinrihoe. Fourthly, the experience of agony and solution in Daesoonjinrihoe sometimes lie in the unit of family beyond individual. Fifthly, in the painful situation resulted from vain desire and obsession, Daesoonjinrihoe suggests a solution called Mutual Beneficence. That is, it emphasizes not only self-control but also active practice of considering others.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.27
• /
• pp.1-34
• /
• 2016

This paper aims to understand how Daesoonjinrihoe perceives the Later World. Daesoonjinrihoe supports to establish an earthly paradise through the re-creation of the real world unlike other religions which tend to relegate ultimate fulfillment to the afterlife. In other words, Daesoonjinrihoe endeavors to achieve their objectives in the human world rather than outside of it in a potential act of escapism. The new religions in Korea have been characterized by ethnocentrism and doctrines which present Koreans as the new chosen people by emphasizing Korea's crucial role in world leadership. However, the doctrine of Daesoonjinrihoe differ with other new religions of Korea in this regard as its purpose is to redeem the whole world. Daesoonjinrihoe proposes an open embrace of the religious diversity found in Korean society. Daesoonjinrihoe argues that the Later World has not come yet, even though the Former World is over and progress towards the Later World has already been set in motion. The meaning of human nobility is akin to anthropocentricity. According to a variety of myths and legends, animals and supernatural often attempt to become human. Moreover, it would not be an overstatement to assert that the re-creation of the real world and the Daesoon concept of human nobility correspond with these myths and legends. There were not definite interpretations regarding heaven in Confucianism historically, yet Daesoonjinrihoe differentiates clearly that heaven and Sangje are cosmic structures. Buddhism perceives that heaven separately exists as a cosmic structure and that Buddha is a transcendental entity, however; that entity is not accessible for intercession. On the contrary, the ways to save the world have been adduced in Daesoonjinrihoe. In addition, the earthly paradise of the Later World has likewise been introduced. Specifically, it is Sangje that opens the door to that paradise. Unresolved issues in the formation of a world view still persist. There are no shortage of studies on the notion of gods or divine beings, however; most of these studies focus on genealogical classification, forms, functions and other such topics. The concept of god, ghost, or soul does not seem to have been clearly defined in these studies nor has the relationship among these entities and humanity been satisfactorily examined. For example, if human beings become either gods or divine beings, questions regarding divine beings who have acted as protectors or guardians of human beings then arises. The Daesoon cosmology should be specifically compared to cosmology in Daoism. By conducting additional studies such as a comparative research with Daoism, it will be possible to interpret mantras and Daoist art as they appear in Daesoonjinrihoe in a thought-provoking way which can in turn be compared with other religions.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.27
• /
• pp.35-77
• /
• 2016

All humans are subject to death, and this creates a motivation to construct theories regarding divine immorality (神仙思想) in order to satisfy the human desire (慾望) for eternal life (長生) and the avoidance of death(不死). In the concept of Earthly immortality (地上神仙) from Daesoonjinrihoe (大巡眞理會), devotees do not carry out their work in a deep mountain ranges far removed from human society. Instead, they cultivate themselves in Dao from within the human society (自身修道), chant incantation to benefit others, aspire towards immortal status (神仙), and promote harmony between divine beings and humans (神人調和) all without ever leaving human society. In the Yeoju Headquarters of Daesoonjinrihoe, members created a new place called a "Dojang (道場 temple complex)" to live as immortal humans in the here and now while they chant incantations (呪文) as an act of participation in the Immortal Realm of the Later World (後天仙境). Some key religious and fengshui (geomancy) oriented symbols used within the Yeoju Headquarters of Daesoonjinrihoe appear as follows: first, Cheonggye Tower (靑溪塔) represents faith in traditional astrology (星宿神仰) and reverence for the God of the Nine Heavens (九天上帝). Second, Daesoonjinrihoe (大巡眞理會) emphasizes the Saturn associated earth element from five phases (五行土星) and this represent the Later World due to numerological associations. Third, the Fengshui of the Yeoju Headquarters of Daesoonjinrihoe is a highly propitious (吉地) and also accentuates the Saturn associated earth element from five phases. Fourth, Yeongdae (靈臺) in the Yeoju Headquarters of Daesoonjinrihoe faces west where Jeungsan will come accompanied by other gods (神命). Fifth, the Yeoju Headquarters of Daesoonjinrihoe is in charge of property and receives happiness and prosperity (福祿) through its Fengshui. The Yeoju Headquarters of Daesoonjinrihoe is an earthly paradise for immortals (地上天國) forged to achieve the ultimate purpose of transforming its members into the Dotong (道通, those enlightened in Dao and thereby successful in their every endeavor) of the Later World. In accordance with Daesoon thought, the Saturn associated earth element from five phases is positioned in the middle of incantations, and Yeongdae, other architecture, and landscaping has all been arranged to correspond with Daesoon geomancy and numerology (後天數理).

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.24_2
• /
• pp.1-55
• /
• 2015

Haewonsangsaeng(解冤相生; the resolution of grievances and mutual beneficence) along with sininjohwa(神人調化; harmonious union of divine beings and human beings) belongs to the mid-stage of the Four Tenets. Thus, it is a core factor to achieve creative conjunction of the virtues of yin and yang and realization of the Dao in the world. It is very significant that Daesoonjinrihoe includes haewonsangsaeng in its dogma. Daoism has focused on the resolution of grievances with haewonseokgyeol(解怨釋結) from the beginning of its foundation. Haewon(解冤; the resolution of grievances) is the important matter which Chinese Daoism has paid attention to. This study compares the similarities and differences between Haewon thoughts of Daesoonjinrihoe and Daoism in order to help promote communication of Korean and Chinese culture.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.22
• /
• pp.33-83
• /
• 2014

The most fundamental topic of the Daesoonjinrihoe faith is how the human Kang Jeongsan can be supreme god(GucheonSangje). This statement is based on the Great Work of Sangje that is called Chunji-Gongsa. The documents on Chunji-Gongsa is founded in Jeongyung, the scripture of Daesoonjinrihoe. But it's not easy for us to understand it because of its holistic and symbolic expression. There are duplicate phrase of Chunji-Gonsa in one scripture or included it in another chapter that is not Chunji-Gongsa as well. So we need to analyze it more systematically and understand it reasonably. Especially in order to write this article I would like to use the view of Guchun-Sangje theory. This article is composed with three chapters except preface and conclusion. The first one is the relation between Chunji-Gongsa and Guchun-Sangje. The second one is to analyze Chunji-Gonsa. The third one is the doctrinal significances of Chunji-Gongsa.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.22
• /
• pp.471-507
• /
• 2014

Edification in Daesoonjinrihoe is not only a phenomenon that occurs following the differences of religious experience or spiritual development among the community members, which enables the members to share teaching and learning experiences with one another, but also an issue determined as one of the major activities of the religious order and a plan for achieving the purpose of the religious order-Podeokchenha(Wordly Propagation), Gujechansaeng (Salvation of all mankind) and Jisangcheonguk Geonseol(Building of earthly paradise). The purpose of this article is to clarify its concept and provide an example of edification, through considering the historical model for edification to help the cultivators with their work of edification. The archetype of edification of Daesoonjinrihoe was formed and gradually developed in phases by Sangje, Kang Jeungsan, the Supreme God(姜甑山, 1871-1909), Doju, Jo Jeongsan(趙鼎山, 1895-1958) and Dojeon, Park Wudang(朴牛堂, 1917-1995), by the three of whom the Religious Authority was succeeded. Sangje descended to the human world and preached to people to live by the rule of Haewon Sangsaeng(Resolution of grievances for the mutual beneficences of all life) and set an example of abolishing the old customs, living in mutual beneficences and having respect for human being. Doju, in revering the last will of Sangje, established the religious order by setting its creed, rituals and activities, which formed most contents of the archetype of edification. Dojeon set up a religious faith system by firmly establishing the Religious Authority and performed the True Law in accordance with Sangje's program of heaven to educate the cultivators to achieve the goal of self-cultivation following the last will of Doju. Through this, a perfect method to reach the state of Dotong(The Truly Unified State of Dao) is fulfilled. In this way, the archetype of edification was formed in the process of succession of Religious Authority. In conclusion, edification in Daesoonjinrihoe contributes to a 'systematic conveyance and understanding' through the historical archetype of edification, and it can be described as a concept that becomes a model to put into practice the 'True Law' of teachings given by two Sangjes for Dotong. Therefore, edification of Daesoonjinrihoe is drawing attention of its development as an important activity that realizes the ultimate value of the religious order because it solves the problems of immorality(absence of Dao), disorder and disregard of human value generated from the other side of this material civilization, with the truth of Haewon Sangsaeng, and has a function of rebuilding and leading the individuals and the society to the Truly Unified State of Dao through performing of the True Law.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.26
• /
• pp.143-182
• /
• 2016

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.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.21
• /
• pp.409-452
• /
• 2013

This paper aims to cast light on the theoretical characteristics of Korean new religions' utopian theory from the perspective of theology and apply the findings to the utopian theory of the new religions in Korea. The utopian theory of the new religions in Korea occurred to meet people's aspiration towards a new world on the background of the national ordeal and its consequential psychology in the late Chosun dynasty. As a result, it has the characteristics of a shift from a pure religious framework to participation in reality to realize religious ideals 'right here, right now'. Thus, it basically defined an utopian theory as the product of a society and history, and explained the utopian theory as the projection of the thoughts about current conflicts. However, an approach in this way may leave the likelihood that the individual characteristics of Daesoonjinrihoe would be overlooked and the utopian theory would be limited to the byproduct of the age, only. Thus, this paper has dealt with the religious experience of the founders as the lead of discussion, not a sociological approach. In this context, the religious experience of founders can be more significant clues to view the characteristics of an utopian theory. This directivity of a study can be understood as an attempt to improve the previous sociological methodologies, the leading discourses, and to contribute to the different perspectives on an understanding of the utopian theories of Daesoonjinrihoe. Furthermore, this paper is anticipated to give salience to the individual characteristics reflected in the new religions in Korea and to enhance its status in the history of thoughts, not as the trend of the thought limited to the past.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.21
• /
• pp.255-284
• /
• 2013

There are many discourses about 'religion and women,' but it is no exaggeration to say that there is none about 'religion and men.' This is because the existing religions have been male-centric and have produced legions of male-dominated cultures. In Catholic Church, even today, only men can become the Pope, and women are not allowed to enter priesthood. Meanwhile, in the Islamic cultural areas, the reality is that women are being victimized by men who do not recognize the bad habits such as honor killings, or honor crimes. It is certain that gender discrimination in religious and cultural areas cannot be overlooked. This study focuses on the understanding of women in the thought of Daesoonjinrihoe(大巡眞理會), that is, the Daesoon Thought, which claims to advocate world peace. Daesoonjinrihoe is understood as a thought which tries to overcome gender discrimination prevalent in the existing religions and presents the vision of a new religion which aims to realize a new world of peace by drawing a distinction between the Former Heaven and the Latter Heaven. This study examines the understanding of women by looking at the tenet of Daesoonjinrihoe that consists of 'YeumYangHapDeok(陰陽合德), SinInJoHwa(神人調化), HaeWon-SangSaeng(解冤相生), DoTongJinGyeong(道通眞境).' The tenet is thought of as the basis of creed on which the understanding of women by the Daesoon Thought can be grasped as it basically contains the essence of teaching of the order. In the Daesoon Thought, women have the same status as men; women can become holy and dignified beings by engaging in independent, active, and autonomous spiritual exercises, and serve as a driving force for the realization of the ideal world. This understanding of women by the Daesoon Thought contains the idea of peace which can turn 'the culture of discrimination' into 'the culture of equality,' and 'the culture of life destruction' into 'the culture of life care.'

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.24_1
• /
• pp.315-349
• /
• 2014

This paper was carried out to bring the researches on Cultivation Practice of Daesoonjinrihoe which have been at a standstill after analyzing the directions of studies on Cultivation Practice and diagnosing its problems, in addition to that, the paper was also conducted in a way of discussing the research directions in the future. This work enables scholars who have interests in Daesoon Thoughts to easily comprehend over the length and breadth of Cultivation Practice of Daesoonjinrihoe as well as help them understand what level of researches regarding Cultivation Practice has been demanded. Furthermore, this paper will be a step-stone for scholars to ponder how and on what perspective they approach a wide variety of studies on Daesoon Thoughts. The problems reflected on the previous researches on Cultivation Practice are summarized as follows: first, except a few researches in general, problem recognition, research target, style, method, and content are not diverged from the frame defined by Jang Byeong-Gil, who set it up in Daesoon Religion and Thought (Daesoon Jonggyo Sasang) in 1989. Proliferating overlapped researches without developing problem awareness is of great concern. And such researching climate has gradually set in. Secondly, there are numerous researches intending to reveal the researcher's forceful attitude implying faith. Thirdly, most of the previous researches neglect to focus on defining the range of researches. Fourthly, when defining concepts, more thorough insight is needed. Lastly, the researches on analysing symbols and attempting signification analysis are relatively few, only to find many errors. To solve these problems, this paper suggests to develop theories which back up Cultivation Practice by researching on the fields of theory of mind-nature(心性), theory of mind-qi(心氣), theory of pain, Religious Ethics, viewpoint of God/gods, and psychology. Secondly, all the symbols and meanings of elements shown in Cultivation Practice need analyzing more elaborately sophisticatedly and more in-depth. In order to fulfil this goal, by adapting the recent trends of historical studies, it is essential to attempt to engraft Cultivation Practice of Daesoonjinrihoe on cultural phenomena, to analyze thick layers of meanings beneath its surface, to interpret differently, utilizing various perspectives such as focusing on the gender problems, and to extract true meanings out of Cultivation Practice by analyzing everyday events which can occur in real cultivation practices. Thirdly, the terms and concepts regarding Cultivation Practice base the principle themselves. Fourthly, by utilizing methodology of comparative studies on religions, the comparative researches on cultivation practice of different religious traditions are also needed. Lastly, the history of aspects on Cultivation Practice such as transition of mantras, processes which have been conducted through proprieties of prayer and training should be collected and classified. In this context, this work is very important since it helps understand the aspects of transition of originality and characteristics in Cultivation Practice of Daesoonjinrihoe according to passage of time.