• 대순사상논총
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• 제25_1집
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• pp.25-85
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• 2015

In this study, source criticism (an establishment of authentic text) of the Hyun-Mu Sutra(玄武經) among different editions is studied and an attempt of a new interpretation appropriate to that is attempted. The Hyun-Mu Sutra, a scripture written in 1909, began to communicate with the world through the religions of Jeungsanism. In particular, it was remarkable that The Hyun-Mu Sutra was absorbed as canon textbooks Jeonkyung(典經), the Scriptures of Daesoonjinrihoe, The Fellowship of Daesoon Truth(大巡眞理) from a loner and secret pull-out of heritage traditions. However, this scripture though written in 1909 and more than 100 years has passed, remained in a state unestablished authentic text. The Hyun-Mu Sutra is the scripture consisted of 25 pages by the religions of Jeungsanism[Gang Il-sun 姜一淳(1871~1909)]. 33 page type of Hyun-Mu Sutra has been distributed in the world until now the authentic text of The Hyun-Mu Sutra. However, as a result of the examination, diagnostic scripture(病勢文) was found to have been added by descendants. After a review of authentic text of The Hyun-Mu Sutra, it concluded that there is no diagnostic scripture in primary The Hyun-Mu Sutra. Though The Hyun-Mu Sutra is a booklet of a small amount, the notation and expression is so unique, it has been in secrecy to read its contents. Interpretation way of The Hyun-Mu Sutra up to now can be summarized in two as follows. 1) approaches by I-ching 2) approaches by ten celestrial stemps and twelve earthly branches(10干12支). Approaches by I-ching among this sometimes was supplemented with Buddhist classification methods. Nevertheless, these studies can be evaluated limited because it fails to secure authentic text of The Hyun-Mu Sutra. In this study, the contents of The Hyun-Mu Sutra was examined itemized by focusing on the following four points. 1) The icon of The Hyun-Mu Sutra(玄武經符) is similar as normal talisman(符籍) but it has other features. 2) 'Reverse Fonts'(反書體)[the opposite view of the standard fonts(正書體), reflected in the mirror fonts] and size or location used in text is not in uniform. 3) letters in scripture were pointed and points were stamped in the left and upper and lower characters. 4) "Spiritual poem" (詠歌, the Korean traditional music with a view of elegance as an origin of eco), and the music with the Five-Sounds[宮Gung, 商Sang, 角Gak, 徵Chi, 羽Wu) were related. As a result, content analysis of The Hyun-Mu Sutra is carried out in the next four points. 1) The icon of The Hyun-Mu Sutra (玄武經符) has been primarily developed by Jeungsan. 2) 'Reverse Fonts'(反書體)[the opposite view of the standard fonts(正書體), reflected in the mirror fonts] and reverse location such as '宙宇' [the reverse of '宇宙'] represents based on a new world based on a forward and reverse I-ching(正易). 3) Dot and neighbor points is a symbolic map that guides the position of lateral new world(後天) and era(人尊) 4) Spiritual poem is the entrance to achieve the Realization of Do(道通). The above can be considered as the results of this study.

• 대순사상논총
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• 제24_2집
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• pp.197-229
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• 2015

The aim of this study is to determine the property of Daesoon thought in theory of God. The difference with precedent research is that this study catch the point in which theism as theology conflicts ontology as philosophy. It is elusive without philosophical analysis to detect this point for reasons of religious expression on scriptures. To find this point is beginning of academic communication at religious position. So I tried to draw boundary between theology and philosophy in Daesoon thought so as to apprehend Daesoon thought treats the contradiction of that. The contradiction is found that hierarchy between Sangje and taegeuk reverses on Daesoon thought. Fundamentally two substance can't be arranged to ontology but only one can be. It seems that Daesoon thought has got antinomy. However superiority of Daesoon thought is appeared at this point. The antinomy is just the process to absolute truth of Tao. That is a progressive system of thought in both religious and philosophical aspect. Finally, the result of this study can be organized with five items. First is to get new direction to study of Daesoon thought to catch the clash between theology and ontology. Second is that Daesoon thought can communicate the mainstream philosophy like Hegel's while the argumentation makes progress with Hegel's thought. Third is that Daesoon thought has originality in ontology of tao, mugeuk, tageuk as compared with neo-Confucianism. Forth is that theology of Daesoon thought has the possibility to peace among religions. Fifth is that Daesoon thought transcends religion and philosophy to absolute truth. Particularly, the noteworthy item is about peace among religions as theme of religious practice as the needs of times. The conflict of religion is very serious impact to historic future. So Daesoon thought suggests that all the religions harmonize with each other in universality and respect each other in distinctiveness. It makes it possible to aims for world peace beyond theory to practical orientation on religious creed. In history of philosophy the dialetic of Hegel is the very adequate to explain that principle. Hegel argued that human mind can reach to the absolute knowledge at 『Phänomenologie des Geistes』. He elucidates the process that mind attain the absolute knowledge through movement of negation at 『Phänomenologie des Geistes』. The dialetics leads all the process of mind to finality of the absolute spirit.

• 수완나부미
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.55-94
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• 2010

Even Faxian(法顯)'s Gaosengfaxianchuan (『高僧法顯傳』) and Iching(義淨)'s Nanhaijiguineifachuan (『南海寄歸內法傳』) are regarded as very important and useful documents to study the southeast asian buddhist culture, it is very difficult to grasp the contemporary state of those area because their descriptions are very brief and implicit. Therefore this essay aimed an in-depth reading their documents as original texts of modern understanding of those area, and tried to make a new views to approach the southeast asian buddhist culture by some more historically and concretely. At the early 5th century when Faxian(法顯) arrived, Buddhism was flourished in Sri Lanka. Because already a long time passed since the Saṇgha was schismatized into conservative and progressive at around the dominical year, he mentioned nothing about the conflict or disharmony of two orders. And the faith of Buddha tooth relic, which had been uprisen at 50 years ago from Faxian's visiting, was concretely established as a representative religion of Sri Lanka. According to his record, the carrying ritual of this Buddha tooth was performed very magnificently as similar with recent Korean Youngsan ceremony(靈山齋). In the mean time, it looks there were many sculptures of Buddha image made of precious stone of special product from Sri Lanka. The faith of Buddha-pāda(the Buddha's foot-prints) was also generalized at that time. The most famous monk of his contemporary Sir Lanka was Buddhaghosa, the author of Visuddhi-magga, but it is not sure that Faxian had met him. It can be suspected that the funeral in which Faxian participated could be belonged to him, or the Visuddhi-magga was writing at the peak during Faxian's staying. On the way to return to China, Faxian embarked an indigenous ship around Indonesia. It means there were no chinese trade ship which he can use. So the trade between china and southeast asia was advanced by south asian ships, and the chinese ships were not yet joined at that time so activity. And at least until that time, it looks there were no any remarkable buddhist movement in the southeast asian countries by where he stopped. In contrast, the southeast asian world which be seen by Iching had already experienced a lot of changes. He was impressed by the high quality buddhist culture of those area, and insisted to accept it to china. Further, he analyzed the sects of buddhism which were prevalent around the southeast asia in his contemporary time, and tried to make a good relationship with each native monks for learning from them. It looks the center of those exchanges may be Śrīvijaya of Indonesia. He also mentioned the situation of the late 7th century's Funan(扶南) in Cambodia. At that time, the buddhist Saṇgha was oppressed by newly rising Khmer(眞臘). On the other hand, he described the points of sameness and difference in detail between Indian and southeast asian buddhist culture in the field of ritual as like the practical use of garments, buddha images, and daily recited scriptures. There must be a lot of another aspects which this essay couldn't gather up or catch from these documents. Nevertheless, I hope this essay can help the researchers of this field and will wait for any advices and comments from them.

• 대순사상논총
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• 제22권
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• pp.387-432
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• 2014

In this paper, I want to compare the mantra of Korean Buddhism with the jumun(呪文) of Daesoonjinrihoe in rites and cultivation. Regarding the mantra of Buddhism there are some researches, but there are few studies with regard to the jumun of Daesoonjinrihoe. The mantra of Buddhism and jumun of Daesoonjinrihoe look similar in pronouncing Hangul characters, but the religious and historical context around these seems to be different. The mantra of Korean Buddhism is associated with the introduction and diffusion process of esoteric Buddhism. In the early period of Buddhism some mantras were allowed by Buddha and the mantras were certified as a educational teaching in the period of Early Buddhist schools. In Mahayana school, the dharani that was abstracted from the vast Mahayana scriptures was developed. As Mahayana Buddhism develops, esoteric Buddhism was born in India. Esoteric Buddhism was introduced into China and was imported into Korea in Silla dynasty. In Koryo dynasty various rituals of esoteric Buddhism flourished and Jineunjong(眞言宗) and Chongjijong(總持宗) school were formed. In Chosun dynasty Buddhism was suppressed by government and the esoteric school was discontinued. But in rituals and cultivation the mantra and dharani were flourished in the latter part of Chosun dynasty. In modern period several esoteric schools were formed and developed. In present context the mantra was recited by many people in Korea. Main mantras are 'Om mani padme hum', 'Dharani of Avalokitesvara(神妙章句大陀羅尼)', 'neungumju(楞嚴呪)', 'Gwangmyung mantra(光明眞言) etc. The jumun of Daesoonjinrihoe was started by Kang Jeungsan(姜甑山) who was believed to be a God by Daesoonjinrihoe believers. Jeungsan used several existed mantras in creating new heaven and earth and made new jumuns by himself and taught them to his followers. Cho Jungsan(趙鼎山) who succeeded to the doctrines has received the jumuns by Jeungsan. He selected the jumuns to recite and determined the method how to spell these. Park Hankyung(朴漢慶) who opened Daesoonjinrihoe succeeded the rituals and doctrines. Every day ritual of Daesoonjinrihoe is chanting the jumun and the cultivation and gongbu(工夫) is practiced through jumun. Important jumuns of Daesoonjinrihoe are Taeulju(太乙呪) and Kidoju(祈禱呪). In the aspects of ritual, the mantra of Buddhism and the jumun of Daesoonjinrihoe perform a similar function. The mantra of Buddhism has the context of the doctrines of Buddhism and the method of Buddhistic practicing but the jumun of Daesoonjinrihoe is related to Jeungsan's teaching and the doctrines of Daesoonjinrihoe. But it is same that the mantra and jumun are used in communicating or uniting with ultimate reality. So the mantra and jumun are important vehicles for homo religius to meet the sacred and unite with the sacred and is regarded as the sacred word by the faithful which has a lot of symbols and meanings.

• 한국의류학회지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 1979

This is a study on angels' costumes in religious paintings, especially as this relates to the questions of concepts and theological symbolism. Angels, as spiritual creatures in Christian thought, play the role of praising God's glory, as messengers of God, the role of guarding Israel and the Church, and protecting or punishing human beings. Sometimes the angels appear in incarnate form. They display no sexual differences and are not able to procreate. The angels' funtional classification being thus; nevertheless, they are pictured in various costumes and appearances according to characteristics of the paintings. The angel Michael appears as a man of dignity when pictured as a guard; the angel Gabriel in the annunciation is often portrayed as a woman of mystical beauty. Under the Renaissance, the mighty cherubim and seraphim at Yahweh's throne are degraded as plump child-angels, or winged child-heads looking alike Eros or Cupid. They have become playful and all too obviously non-heavenly chrubs, accepted features of the Temple decorations. However, cherubim are often depicted as naked or wrapped around with a piece of cloth and accompanied with wind, which symbolizes the Glory of God. The angels, costumes without seam are hung over or wrapped around the body, and when sewn they are simple and ample enough that they fall in a great many folds. However, by the 14C. angels are mostly dressed in costumes common to all Europe, and after that angels gradually appear in folk costumes; for example Italian, Flemish, etc. Dalmatic, the typical costume of Byzantine often shows up as angels' dresses even after the period. Originally the dalmatic was the Roman tunic to which Eastern influences added. The Roman clavus on the tunic had gradually lost distinction until, by the Imperial epoch, it was worn by the lowest servants. It was proudly therefore, as 'The servants of God', that the early Christians are shown wearing the clavus on their wide, ungirdled, sleeved dalmatics. In addition to their costume, angels have some other distinct charateristics. First, angels have a halo around their head; this symbolizes their holiness. Second, angels wear a narrow diadem or a queen's crown that seems to denote their glorious status close to God's throne. Third, the cloth band across the breast resembles a priest's stole, which suggests the sacred role of a priest and symbolizes the grace santified. Fourth, lilies in the annunciations are symbols of Mary's virginity. chastity, innocence and heavenly bliss. Angels hold palms or olives in their hands. The former denote prosperity. beauty and the Christians' reward after death; the latter represent peace and amity. the imperial crown made of olives means victory. Fifth, angels in paintings always have a pair of wings, which can be traced to scripture where cherubim and seraphim are described as having pairs of wings. Angels' wings often have colors of the rainbow, and the rainbow is compared to God's glory. Sixth, generally artists paint angels' costumes as white, blue, green, gold and purple. Other colors such as red rarely appear. According, to scriptures it is believed that angels should be depicted 'as white as snow'. According to the biblical expressions of angels as lightning, sun or a pillar of fire, angels should be described as creatures of light. Nevertheless being a form of art, religious paintings may differ in their presentation according to an artist's inspiration and intention. Since religious paintings illustrated above were almost all done before the Reformation, symbols of colors used in the Catholic Church will also be mentioned. The white color symbolizes chastity, purity, brightness, delight and divinity. Green represents new birth, eternal life, spiritual revival and the expectance of the grace of God. Blue, the color of sapphires, denotes chastity and truth. Red, the color of rubies, represents divinity, love and religious passion. Violet is the color of dignity, indicating the sovereign, royal or imperial power and the great Sacrifice of Christ. As mentionad above, angels' costumes were expressed in accordance with contemporary patterns or as indicated in the Bible, and accesories and colors correspond with Christian symbols. Therefore these facts should be taken into consideration when it comes to the study of costume history.

• 한국전통조경학회지
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.16-25
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• 2018

도교의 경전에 최초로 기록된 '동천'의 의미는 유교의 근본 목적인 본래 심성을 되찾아 안심과 평안을 얻은 자들이 누리는 현실세계의 상징적 장소로서의 의미를 지니고 있다고 볼 수 있다. 현실을 탈피한 이상적인 세계로서의 동경이 '동천'이라는 장소성, 그리고 선경(仙境)이 재현된 장소로서의 이상적인 경관을 나타내는 의미로 사용되었다. 또한 동천은 주변 경관에 대한 애착과 장소성을 통한 동질감과 우월의식, 정주 공간의 미화화 등의 목적으로 유학자들이 '동천'이라는 용어를 주로 차용했다고 볼 수 있다. 본 연구는 2018년 3월부터 2018년 8월까지 경상도 지역을 대상으로 '동천'에 대한 현장조사를 통해 구전되어 오거나, 멸실되었거나, 현장이 잘 보존되고 있는 '동천' 각자에 대한 확인조사를 위해 수행되었다. 조사 결과 현재까지 확인된 '동천'이라는 언어가 포함된 암각문 또는 현판 등에 새긴 음각문은 경상도 지역에 111개소가 분포하고 있다. 경상북도 지역에는 확인된 '동천' 암각문이 79개소가 분포하고 있으며, 영주시가 20개소로 가장 많으며, 그 다음으로 봉화군이 16개소, 안동시가 11개소, 영양군과 울진군이 7개소의 순서로 분포되어 있었다. 이 중 나무현판 형태로 된 것이 2개소이며, 마을회에서 마을의 표지석으로 세운 것이 6개소였다. 선행연구를 통해 파악된 14개소는 멸실, 또는 미상의 상태이다. 또한 봉화군에서는 16개소 중 9개소가 초서체로 암각 되어 있었다. 경상남도 지역에는 26개소의 동천 암각문이 분포하고 있었다. 함양군과 산청군, 하동군에서 각 3개소의 암각문이 있었고, 마을의 표지석 형태로 제작된 곳이 7개소가 있었으며, "지봉유설"과 "택지리"에서 등장한 '화개동천'과 '금산동천'은 둘 다 최치원과 관련한 이야기가 전해지지만 현재까지 암각문을 확인하지 못했다. 본 연구의 의의는 향후 전통 경관관련 연구나 금석문에 대한 연구, 지역의 문화 답사 등을 위한 기초자료로서의 역할을 할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• 헤리티지:역사와 과학
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.18-41
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• 2017

강진 월남사지는 그 동안 3층석탑과 파괴된 비석이 남아있었던 소규모 폐사지였다. 하지만 사역 입구쪽에 있던 파괴된 비가 고려시대 신앙결사운동의 한 축을 담당했던 수선사 제2세인 진각국사 혜심의 것으로 밝혀졌고, 그 이후 최근의 발굴조사를 통해 백제 사비도읍기로 추정되는 연화문수막새가 수습되면서 다시 한 번 주목받게 되었다. 특히 2012년 출토된 금동풍탁은 높이 23cm에 이르는 대형급에 속할 뿐 아니라, 탁신 네 면에 비교적 큰 범자가 장식되어 이채롭다. 이에 더해 풍탁 보존처리 과정에서 '개천(盖天)'으로 추정되는 음각 명문도 확인되었다. 월남사지 출토 금동풍탁의 범자는 '옴'( , oṃ), '아'( , a), 훔( , hūṃ), 브룸( , bhrūṃ)이다. '옴'( , oṃ), '아'( , a), 훔( hūṃ)은 삼밀진언으로 알려졌고, 브룸( , bhrūṃ)은 최상의 존격을 의미한다. 또한 삼밀진언은 그 수행법을 통해서 우주 근본 원리인 법신불과 감응하여 진리를 깨닫도록 하고, 브룸( , bhrūṃ)은 일체 결합의 의미가 있다. 결국 금동풍탁 네 면을 장식하고 있는 범자의 의미는 불교의 교조(敎祖)인 부처님이 설한 '법(法)[교리]' 혹은 그 자체로서 최상의 존격인 '佛(불)'과 결합되기를 갈망하는 의지의 표현으로 해석할 수 있다. 탁신에 새겨진 '개천(盖天)'의 명문은 풍탁 제작과 관련된 인명으로 볼 수도 있으나, 고려시대 향완, 반자, 향로 등에 새겨진 명문과 그 위치가 쉽게 보이지 않는 곳에 있다는 점을 고려하면, 인명이 아닐 가능성이 높다고 생각된다. 그렇다면 결국 풍탁이 지니고 있는 본래의 기능을 생각할 수 있다. 즉 법음(法音)으로 상징되는 풍탁의 소리가 하늘을 덮어 시방세계에 널리 퍼졌으면 하는 바람을 상징적 함축적으로 표현한 것으로 해석할 수 있을 것이다. 월남사지 출토 금동풍탁은 폐사지에서 출토된 풍탁과의 비교, 고려후기 역사적 상황, 밀교 관련 경전 발행연대 등을 종합적으로 고려하면 13세기 중후반에 제작되었다고 생각된다.

• 헤리티지:역사와 과학
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.168-191
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• 2021

1997년부터 2015년까지 진행된 회암사지 발굴조사 중 2001년에는 4단지 문지에서 사천왕상을 장식했던 것으로 추정되는 소조편들이 출토되었다. 회암사 사천왕상은 대대적인 중창 불사가 있었던 여말선초에 4단지 문이 건립되면서 조성되었던 것으로 본다. 따라서 회암사 사천왕상은 조선시대 사천왕상의 연원과 관련하여 중요한 단서를 제공할 것이다. 이에 이 글에서는 양주 회암사지 4단지 문에 봉안되었던 사천왕상의 특징 및 도상과 조성 시기를 살펴보았다. 이를 위해 우선 출토 소조편을 천왕문에 봉안된 조선시대 사천왕상들과 비교하여 각 편의 대략적인 위치와 기능을 밝혔다. 또한 4단지 문지의 크기와 평면 형태를 조선시대의 다른 천왕문과 비교하여 회암사 사천왕상은 입상이었을 것이며 그 크기는 또 다른 입상인 법주사 천왕문의 사천왕상과 비례했을 것으로 보았다. 회암사 중창의 역사를 고려했을 때 4단지 문의 건립 완공 시기는 1376년과 1473년의 두 시기 중 하나로 볼 수 있고 회암사 사천왕상의 조성 시기 역시 이와 연동될 것이다. 따라서 이 글에서는 출토 소조편 가운데 화염형 장식편은 조선시대 사천왕상 보관의 일반적인 장식 요소로서 고려시대에는 나타나지 않는 점에 주목하였다. 이 편의 존재는 회암사 사천왕상의 조성 시기가 고려시대보다는 조선시대일 가능성을 높이기 때문에 유구 분석을 통한 건축사 연구에서도 4단지 문의 건립 시기를 대체로 15세기 후반으로 보는 의견을 근거로 제시하였다. 15세기 후반에 조성된 것으로 추정되는 회암사 사천왕상은 이후 조선시대 사천왕상의 도상에 영향을 미치는 하나의 새로운 전통으로서 정립되었다는 점에 그 역사적 의의가 있다. 이는 또한 거꾸로 4단지 문지의 건립 시기를 15세기 후반으로 보는 건축사학계의 의견에 하나의 근거가 될 수 있을 것이다.

• 동양고전연구
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• 제54호
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• pp.387-416
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• 2014

이 글은 우리 시대 선도(仙道)의 개조(開祖) 이자 유학자(儒學者)인 봉우(鳳宇) 권태훈(權泰勳) 선생이 개진(開陳)하고 있는 도가(道家)의 "용호비결(龍虎秘訣)"과 유가(儒家)의 "대학(大學)" "중용(中庸)" 양자(兩者)의 표리관계(表裏關係)에 대하여 살펴본 것이다. 선생은 공자문하(孔子門下)의 전수심법(傳受心法)이 담겨있는 유가의 경전을 "대학(大學)" "중용(中庸)"과 더불어 "주역계사전(周易繫辭傳)"으로 보았는데, 이 가운데 주자(朱子)가 주석(註釋)한 "대학장구(大學章句)" '삼강령(三綱領)'의 해석이 송대(宋代) 당시의 시대 논리에 원용되어 공문(孔門)심법 본래의 요지를 드러내지 않기 위한 주자의 의도적 해석이라고 보아, "대학" '삼강령(三綱領)'에 대한 새로운 주석을 가(加)하였고, 더불어 "중용(中庸)" '윤집궐중(允執厥中)'의 '중(中)' 자(字)의 함의를 '일중론(一中論)'으로 밝히는 등의 새로운 해석을 통하여 공문심법의 본지를 밝히고자 하였다. 또 이러한 새로운 해석의 기저(基底)에 더하여 공자(孔子)가 "주역계사전(周易繫辭傳)"에서 "역경(易經)"의 주요 요지를 뽑아내어서 지었다고 하는 '원상법(原象法)'을 유가의 형이상학(形而上學) 공부의 정수로 삼아 이를 도가(道家)의 용호비결(龍虎秘訣)과 함께 수련 공부의 최종 목표에 도달할 수 있는 방법론으로 제시하여 양자(兩者)의 밀접한 유기성에 주목 하였다. 이와 같은 "대학" '삼강령'의 새로운 해석을 통한 "대학(大學)"의 본지(本旨)규명과 "대학(大學)" "중용(中庸)" "계사전(繫辭傳)" 삼자일관(三者一貫)의 유기성에 대한 심고(審考), 그리고 도가와 유가 양가(兩家)의 원리를 합일시킨 '이교합일(異敎合一)'의 공부론 등은 조선조 청하자(靑霞子) 권극중(權克中)의 '선란호수론(禪丹互修論)' 이래의 일로서 선생이 우리의 사상계에 남겨놓은 새로운 화두라고 할 것이다.

• 대순사상논총
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• 제36집
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• pp.117-152
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• 2020

대순사상에서 마테오 리치는 기독교의 종장으로 높이 평가받고 있다. 본 논문은 종교적 인간으로서 리치의 삶과 사상이 지니는 의미를 종교현상학적 관점에서 탐색할 것이다. 리치가 살았던 시대적 배경과 그의 생애를 분석하고, 그의 신관과 인간관 및 구원관을 중심으로 탐구하여 리치가 대순사상에서 지닌 관계성을 재평가할 것이다. 이탈리아에서 태어난 리치는 예수회 선교사가 되어서 중국에 다양한 문물을 전하였다. 그는 예수회의 중국 친화적인 선교정책에 따라서 중국문화에 공감하며 언어를 배우고 중국인을 벗으로 삼아서 서양의 종교와 문화를 전달하였다. 그는 중국의 미래를 낙관하는 여덟 가지 이유를 제시하였고, 이해와 설득의 간접 선교의 방식으로 중국인들에게 기독교메시지를 가르쳤다. 예수회신부들은 중국에서 기독교의 신을 천주라고 불렀는데, 리치는 유교의 상제를 기독교의 천주와 동일하게 간주하였다. 유교경전의 번역과 해석을 토대로 원시유교의 유일신론을 기독교와 유교의 공통점으로 파악하였다. 불교와 도교의 신관을 비판하면서 유교의 신관을 통해 기독교의 신관을 정당화하였다. 리치의 인간관은 기독교의 창조신앙을 기초로 하였고 불교의 윤회를 비판하였다. 리치는 천국과 지옥의 개념을 사용하여 기독교의 윤리성과 구원관을 제시하였다. 대순사상과 리치의 관계성에 대해서는, 1) 동서양세계 간 상호교류에 대한 기여, 2) 대화와 설득에 기반을 둔 평화적 포교방식, 3) 기독교의 종장으로서의 다양한 활동, 4) 종교의 치유하는 기적에 대한 믿음과 조선으로의 유입 등의 차원에서 의미를 찾았다. 리치의 궁극적인 목적은 기독교와 유교의 신관이 지닌 공통점을 강조하면서 동서의 세계관을 교류하고 통합시키는 것이었다.