• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.28
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• pp.331-362
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• 2010

Simjae defined the relationship between Learning of Classics and Learning of the Mind-and-Heart as mutually interdependent. Clarifying "righteousness and principle" lies within the purview of "knowledge" and cultivating the mind-and-heart based on such knowledge lies within the realm of "action." Learning of Classics and Learning of Controlling the Mind-and-Heart thus can be understood as relationship between knowledge and action. If Simjae's theory of knowledge and action is applied to the relationship between Learning of Classics and Learning of the Mind-and-Heart, we can derive the following conclusion. His assertion that "knowledge precedes action" indicates that classical studies to explore the principle of goodness must precede mind-and-heart studies to cultivate the mind. In fact, only when we know what is the right principle can we cultivate our mind based on that principle. However, Simjae attached importance to action in terms of its significance. This means that the Learning of the Mind-and-Heart is "eventually more important" than the Learning of Classics which explores the principle of goodness. Thus, when linked to his theory on knowledge and action, Simjae 's philosophy founded on the twin pillars of classical studies and mind-and-heart studies can be summarized: "One must first delve into the principle of goodness through Confucian classical studies and then rectify one's mind based on knowledge thus gained."

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2008

1. Objectives This study was purposed to find Dong's thoughts about the eight items of the "The Great Learning(Ta hsueh)" 2. Methods It was researched through comparative and overall study on the Dong-mu's thoughts in "Gyukchigo(格致藁)" 3. Results (1) Dongmu reinterpreted the eight items of the "The Great Learning(Ta hsueh)" as the relations between the subject and the object from the ontologic assumption of Affairs Mind Body Objects as the principle of existence and correlation, summarized into four categories, and classified into the individual and subjective affairs, and the universal and objective affairs. The four categories of the eight items of the "The Great Learning(Ta hsueh)" are correlated with the individual and the universal ethics of behavior, and connected with the element for overcoming the individual inclination of mind and wickedness. (2) After the individual and subjective human was established, the eight items of the "The Great Learning(Ta hsueh)" were classified into two categories, and coupled up with each two items('Being sincere in their thoughts' with 'Extending to the utmost their knowledge', 'Rectifying their hearts' with 'Investigating things', 'Cultivating their persons' with 'Illustrating illustrious virtue throughout the kingdom', 'Regulating their families' with 'Ordering their own states'). Being based on this, 'Being sincere in their thoughts', 'Rectifying their hearts', 'Cultivating their persons' and 'Regulating their families' were understood as four individual and subjective human-basic-essential activity. Especially, mind, heart, body and family(power) were regarded as the four basic element in human existence and activity, and in correlation with universe and society, set up as the subjective element in Dongmu's epistemology, theory of nature and emotion, theory of morality and theory of moral cultivation.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.9-23
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• 2003

1. Objects of a study Dong-mu emphasized knowing who he or she is to treat disease, so this parer was written to summarize Dong-mu's thought on human 2. Methods of a study ${\ulcorner}Dongyi$ Suse Bowon Sasang $Choboguon{\lrcorner}$ is Dong-Mu's early writing, is composed of three chapters, which are ${\ulcorner}$Won-in$(原人)${\lrcorner}$ . ${\ulcorner}$Byung-byun(病變)${\lrcorner}$ . ${\ulcorner}$Yak-bang(藥方)${\lrcorner}$ . This is chiefly written on human, so this paper was written by summarizing Dong-mu's general and constitutional thought on human in ${\ulcorner}Dongyi$ Suse Bowon Sasang $Chobonguon{\lrcorner}$ 3. Results and Conclusion 1. Dong-mu's viewpoint of human in ${\ulcorner}Dongyi$ Suse Bowon Sasang $Chobonguon{\lrcorner}$ is viewpoint of human in the base of 'Human Nature(人性)-Human Form(人形)' and viewpoint of human in the base of 'Affairs-Mind-Body-Objects(事心身物)'. 2. The general viewpoint of human suggested in ${\ulcorner}Dongyi$ Suse Bowon Sasang $Chobonguon{\lrcorner}$ is that 'Nature-Emotion(性情)' is a action of mind and 'Knowing-Acting(知行)' is a action of body in human. He emphasized that we should try to become saint through controling 'Nature-Emotion(性情)' and 'Knowing-Acting(知行)' 3. It was thought that The span of lift is different according to the volume of Oi(氣) existed in the smallest organ. To manage the Qi(氣) existed in the smallest organ, it is very important to recover 'Good Qi of each constitution(體質正氣)' through cultivating Heart and body. 4. The constitutional viewpoint of human suggested in ${\ulcorner}Dongyi$ Suse Bowon Sasang $Chobonguon{\lrcorner}$ is that Human is classified into four constitutions according to 'Natural Principle of Organ(臟腑性理)' of 'Human Nature(人性)' mind and 'Knowing-Acting(知行)' of 'Human Form(人形)' 5. The viewpoint of human suggested in ${\ulcorner}A$ Aphorism in Teaching Children(敎子平生箴)${\lrcorner}$ emphasized 'Heart('心')'. but The viewpoint of human suggested in ${\ulcorner}Dongyi$ Suse Bowon Sasang $Chobonguon{\lrcorner}$ emphasized' Natural Principle of Organ(臟腑性理)' of 'Human Nature(人性)' mind and 'Knowing-Acting(知行)' of 'Human Form(人形)' and developed the viewpoint of human suggested in ${\ulcorner}Dongyi$ Suse $Bowon{\lrcorner}$.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.27
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• pp.79-132
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• 2016

The view of life and death in Daesoonjinrihoe includes all the gods of Heaven and Earth, and the human heart is taken as the foundational key. Practitioners can realize their value according to how much they have cultivated themselves. This is regarded as the mythical use of a singularly focused mind (full dedication of one's heart). In other words, it focuses on the potentiality of humans who are able to enter a transcendental area of divinity through their self-cultivation. This view of life and death in Daesoonjinrihoe was established by the religious mission known as "Samgye Gongsa (the Reordering of Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity)." Samgye Gongsa indicated a new opening of the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. This new opening is a return to the original principle of Heavenly operation and also a new order for the universe. Heaven and Earth have their own underlying principle by which they operate. This act was directly initiated and manifested from Dao. Daesoonjinrihoe diagnoses that the underlying principle by which Heaven operates was damaged by human misconduct, and as a result, the human observance of that principle fell out of common usage. Therefore, Daesoonjinrihoe gives priority to the reestablishment of Dao as it existed originally and tries to bring about reconciliation between Heaven and Earth and Humanity. In short, it resolves the grievances accrued since time immemorial by correcting the order of Sindo (Divine Law). Furthermore, it shows that the Dao of Sangsaeng (mutual beneficence) was created by reordering the arrangement of Heaven and Earth so that human beings and divine beings could reach a state of perfection through self-realization. Humans not only communicate with Heaven and Earth, but also communicate with divine beings. Divine beings are transcendent living beings capable of communicating with humans through their heart-minds. In Daesoon thought, human beings are not swayed by the power of divine beings, but instead are able to control divine beings through the transcendent power of their heart-minds. Given this view, the aim of Daesoonjinrihoe lies in participating in the harmony of Heaven and Earth through the cultivation of the human heart. Also, it sees that the human heart-mind can be united with the universal Dao, and thus it is able to be united with the deities of Heaven and Earth. In order to actualize this, one does not rely on exterior rituals or magic but has to focus instead on cultivating the moral ethics of the heart-mind to reach perfection. In other words, one can reach a transcendent level in one's heart-mind through the cultivation of a singularly focused mind and be free from the contradiction of life and death and other such torments. Life and death is an inevitable process for humans. So they do not have to be happy for life and sad for death. They can rather be free from the fear of death by fulfilling the energetic zenith of the human heart-mind via training themselves to transcend their physical bodies. No aging and no death is not a pursuit of radical longevity or immortality for the physical body, but rather a pursuit of the essence of life and the realization of eternity on a spiritual level. Daesoonjinrihoe pursues the state of being unified with Dao by developing "Jeong·Gi·Sin (精·氣·神 the internal energies of essence, pneuma, and spirit)" and trying to reach the transcendent state of non-aging and radical longevity by spurring the practice of self-realization and the discovery one's own innate nature. Through the practice of human ethics, they can access the creative functions of Heaven and Earth and become one with Heavenly Dao thereby achieving harmony between temporal existence and eternity. In this way, humans transcend the life and death of their physical bodies. When "Doins (trainees of Dao)" reach the true state of unification with Dao through singularly focused cultivation, they not only realize self perfection as human beings, but also enable themselves the means to do away with all disasters and forms of suffering. They thereby attain ultimate happiness in their lives.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.24_2
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• pp.231-270
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• 2015

This thesis examined Chu Hsi's self-cultivation theory as the representative theory of cultivation in Confucianism, while juxtaposing it to self-cultivation theory in Daesoon thought, concentrating on its similarity and difference. Neo-Confucianism is a scholarship which has wielded a tremendous influence upon East Asia, while functioning as an official scholarship for long period up to Yuan, Ming, and Ching period, after achieving its synthesis by Chu Hsi. After 13th century, Neo-Confucianism has been a representative academic system in Confucianism, and self-cultivation theory was in its center. It suggested various virtues that classical scholars have to equip to fulfill the sainthood and the politics of royal road. The self-cultivation theory of Chu Hsi was developed upon the basis of the theory 'Li-Qi' and the theory of mind. Here, the practice of Geokyung(morally awakened state with a reverent spirit in every moment) and Gyeokmul-tsiji(reaching into the utmost knowledge through investigation of things) formed a nucleus of Chu Hsi's self-cultivation theory. While Geokyung was to reveal one's true nature through cultivation of mind, Gyeokmul-tsiji was to demonstrate the complete use of mind's essence and function. Chu Hsi's self-cultivation theory attempted to realize the unity of heaven and man, and through cultivating self and governing people, it also tried to achieve its ideal of the society of Great Union(Daedong). Daesoon Thought is originated from Sangjenim who has descended to this world as a human being called Jeungsan. He went on his circuit to rectify the disorder of heaven and earth for 9 years to rectify the Three worlds of heaven, earth and human being which were faced with total annihilation due to its rule of mutual conflict, while creating an earthly paradise. Respecting the will of Sangjenim, Dojunim established the foundation of Do through launching 'Meukeukdo' and setting tenet, creed and object so that the cultivators (Doins) could believe and respect the truth of Sangje's great itineration (Daesoon). Among those, the two components of creed, which are four fundamental principles and the three fundamental attitudes are of great account as precept and cardinal point. Through this means, the cultivators of Daesoonjinrihoe aspire to guard against self-deception through transforming the human spirit, to realize earthly immortality through renewing human beings, and to create an earthly paradise through transforming the world. This thesis attempted to compare and analyze the theory of self-cultivation in Neo-Confucianism and Daesoon Thought in the aspect of ground, method, and object of cultivation. First, as for the ground of cultivation, the doctrines of Chu-tzu and Daesoon thought place the essence of cultivation on 'heaven'. Yet, whereas the former postulates Taekeuk (the Great Ultimate) as a principle as well as the heaven of a natural order, Daesoon thought postulates Sangenim as the heaven of superintendence as well as the heaven of a natural order, signified as its equation of Daesoon with circle, along with the unity of Meukeuk (Endlessness) and Taegeuk (the Great Ultimate). Further, the doctrine of Chu-zhu and Daesoon thought is identical in the point that both thoughts see mind as the subject of cultivation, while trying to restore a pure essence. Nevertheless, whereas Neo-Confucianism intends to give scope to ability of the complete use of mind's essence and function, Daesoon Thought sees mind as the essence which is used by spiritual beings and as an organ that heaven, earth and human being rely upon as the center of the universe. In the aspect of method of cultivation, the doctrine of Chuzhu lays emphasis on the rational factor in that it brightens its 'myung-deoki'(bright inner virtue),' while trying to correspond to the law of heaven on the basis of 'Geokyung' and 'Gyeokmul-tsiji.' On the contrary, Daesoon thought lays much emphasis on faith factor in that it aspires for human perfection based on the restoration of conscience by cultivating Daesoonjinri with sincerity, reverence and faith along with 'quieting the heart-mind', 'quieting the body', 'respecting the God of the Ninth Heaven', and 'observing ritual practice on the basis of the faith in Sangjenim. Yet, both thoughts have similarities in that cultivation of body forms the basis and that they attempt to realize their ideals through cultivation in daily life while taking 'Guarding against self-deception' as the key method of self-cultivation.' However, the principle of Chu-zhu can be said to be a voluntary and autonomous practice based on scripture of the saint as well as self-reflection. On the other hand, Daesoon thought reveals certain difference in that it combines faith factor with one's self-effort by concentrating on cultivation under the presence of Sangjenim as the object of belief and the spirits of heaven and earth. In the aspect of object of cultivation, both thoughts share similarities in that the saint and the perfected gentleman with a moral virtue as an ideal image of men in both thoughts attempt to realize each of their 'myung-deok' in human nature as a heavenly mandate while respecting morality. Further, they also share similarity in the point that the desirable characters in both thoughts want to participate in harmonious creation and nurturance. Yet, the perfected gentleman with a moral virtue is also characterized by its aim for a new heaven and earth where there is no mutual conflict but mutual beneficence, by promoting the moral influence and virtue of Sangjenim over one's own virtue, while practising the mutual beneficence of all life through harmonious union of divine beings and human beings.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.38
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• pp.1-46
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• 2021

Since ancient times, the word Deok (德, virtue) has been used as a term in ethics. In the east, it originally meant 'to acquire (得),' and during the warring states period, it was used to indicate 'personality' or 'value;' especially for political leaders. Then, in Confucianism, the word Deok developed into an ethical term suggesting that people should acquire Deok in their action so as to achieve human perfection. In Daesoon Thought, Deok originates from the Dao, and the two are close in the same manner that Yin and Yang are close and interrelated. The Dao of Daesoon Thought indicates the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, which Gucheon Sangje had opened when he performed his Gongbu (holy work) at Daewonsa Temple, is such that the Great Deok was divided into the Deok of Heaven, the Deok of Earth, and the Deok of Humanity. This allows for the realization of Deok in each of the Three Realms. Jo Jeongsan, the successor of Gucheon Sangje, said that he will inherit the Great Deok originated from the Great Dao and enlighten the world to the Dao. The cause of the accumulation of grievances in the Three Realms was due to the failure to sufficiently spread Deok throughout the Three Realms. The Later World is where Deok will be offered in its full extent as it was secured by the Cheonjigongsa (Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth) performed by Gucheon Sangje. However, as the main agent of spreading Deok is the heart-mind, humans need to cultivate their heart-mind in the correct way. When humans finally become Dotong-gunja (beings who are perfectly unified with the Dao) and generously practice Deok in the world, there will be no grievances anywhere in the Three Realms. There are four ways of practicing Deok: Deok by caring for life, Eondeok (Deok of speech), Gongdeok (practicing meritorious Deok), and Podeok (spreading of Deok) to the world. Practicing the Deok by caring for life is to save and protect living beings based on the spirit of Jesaenguise (saving lives and curing the world). Eondeok is practiced when people speak to others in a positive way that fosters widespread goodness based on the spirit of Sangsaeng (mutual beneficence). When people perform Gongdeok they will be rewarded for their actions. Podeok can be realized when the followers of Sangje spread the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth based on the teachings of Daesoon Thought.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.29
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• pp.153-178
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• 2010

The aim of this research was to examine the traditional Confucian view of self-realization in East Asia and the meaning of life implied therein. The researcher closely reviewed the phase of self-realization of both Confucius and Mencius who are central in Confucianism, especially in the primordial Confucianism, and after investigating maturity of personality as well as educational characteristics thereof, the researcher tried to elicit its modern significance. In Analects, Confucius who is the founder of Confucianism mentioned about 'the pleasure of studying and practicing what he has learned'(學而時習 "Hagisiseup" in Korean), since after, his past was then just the process of self-realization that lasted throughout life. That is, the six phases of self-realization, to wit, 'bending on learning(志學, "Jihak")-'standing firm'(而立, "Irip")-'having no doubts'(不惑, "Bulhok")-'knowing the decrees of Heaven'(知天命, "Jicheonmyeong")-'ear being obedient organ for the reception of truth' (耳順, "Isun")-'able to follow what my heart desires without transgressing what is right'(從心, "Jongsim"), are lying hidden and undeveloped during lifetime, and, at the same time, these phases illustrate the state of enlightenment of life in an in-depth manner. By showing the process of living which is being sublimated in respect of quality, and by going through important process of self-innovation up to six times during lifetime, Confucius edifies us the activity of complete self-realization as well as the importance of education and learning. Meanwhile, these are connected to Mencius in a similar pattern, and strong influence of the characteristics of the learning of the mind and heart( 心學, "Simhak") based on his philosophy permeates the self-actualization phase of Mencius. Mencius' self-actualization phase is expressed in terms of six stages, viz., Person of Goodness(善人, "Seonin")-Trustworthy Person(信人, "Sinin")-Person of Beauty(美人, "Miin")-Great Person(大人, "Daein")-Sage(聖人, "Seongin")-Divine Person(神人, "Sinin"), and these six phases of self-actualization process are educational and learning model for people who dream actualization of perfect personality during their lifetime. Confucian and Mencian view of self-realization congruent with self-discipline internally, and it also reveals a stereotype of human externally. These are a process of performing organic ideals in order for cultivating oneself and regulating others(修己治人, pronounced 'sugichiin' in Korean) which has been pursued by Confucianism. Briefly, these self-realization phases are the arts of living that will lay foundation for "Being Born Human, pronounced Saramim' in Korean" and for becoming "Fully Human, 'Sarmadoem'" and finally for "Human Feelingness, 'Saramdaum'