• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.29
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• pp.1-36
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• 2017

The purpose of this article is to investigate the future prospects for establishing the True Donghak phase of Daesoon Thought. The True Donghak refers to 'the future prospect of having a true life, true thinking, and true living' in which enjoying the world in a state of good fortune became a true reality after the death of Suwun, according to faith in Gucheon Sangje. The correlation between "Attending to the Lord of Heaven" in Donghak, and "The Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth" in Daesoon shows the prospect of achieving the Daesoonist transformation into energy to gain true life and re-creation. The correlation between "Nourishing the Lord of Heaven" in Donghak and "Attending to Study and Attending to Law" in Daesoon show the transformation of Daesoon-reason into true thinking and renewing. The correlation between "Humanity is Divine" in Donghak and "The Salvation of Humanity is the Will of Heaven" in Daesoon show transformation into the practice of Daesoon for the true living and renewing. This investigation utilizes the literature review and the generation theory of life-philosophy to examine revelations regarding the conversation between Spirit and Mind. This is the future prospect for the establishing the True Donghak phase of Daesoon thought. It consists of a threefold connection among life, thinking, and living. The "public-centered spirituality of Daesoon Truth" which connects and mediates among people appears in three aspects. Firstly, it is thought to be the vision of the true life through the 'renewal of active, energetic power' bestowed by Gucheon Sangje. Secondly, it is thought to be the vision of true thinking through the "renewal via freedom from delusion". Thirdly, it is thought to be the vision of true living through the "renewal of true mind". To bring about the creation of true Donghak, Gucheon Sangje incarnated to the Korean peninsula instead of Suwun and the salvation of the world salvation now centers on Korea with regards to the threefold connection future prospect. Gucheon Sangje's revelation addresses and solves the postscript problem of Chosun and further establishes a Utopia. Suwun established Donghak but failed later on due to his lankiness. At last the true Donghak has been opened for the future by Gucheon Sangje and Jeongsan's fifty years of religious accomplishments. In the long run, it has been developed further by Woodang's Daesoon Jinrihoe.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.31
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• pp.165-197
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• 2018

The purpose of this article is to investigate communal action in the Ox Seeking Pictures of Daesoon Thought as an expression of future prospects. The Ox Seeking Pictures in Daesoon Thought seeks out renewal of thought, renewal of life, and true living. Here, the Ox Seeking Pictures symbolize a world in which good fortune comes true according to faith in Gucheon Sangje. The correlation between searching for the ox and the supporting teachings of the Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth in Daesoon shows the transformation of Daesoon prospects for achieving the renewal of thought. The correlation between Deep Contemplation Leading to Awakening and Finding and Following Heavenly Teachings shows the transformation of Daesoon reason into a practice implemented in daily life. The correlation between a human being's awareness and the heavenly paradise of the Later World shows transformation into true living based on everyday practice and the practical transformation of one's livelihood. In this investigation, we can say that the Ox Seeking Pictures of Daesoon symbolizes the realization of human dignity and respect for lives. No life should be destroyed or violated by another. Heaven, Earth, and Humanity can be changed and born anew. The visions of the realization of the heavenly paradise of the Later World show that this paradise in the world results from Daesoon principles. This provides a unique insight when compared to the bodhisattva ideal conveyed through the Ox Seeking Pictures of Mahayana Buddhism. Daesoon's Ox Seeking Pictures consist of a three-way interlocking of renewal of thought, implementation in life, and the practical transformation of one's livelihood. The communal spirituality based in Daesoon Truth connects and mediates among people and appears in three aspects. Firstly, it is thought to be a vision of the renewal of thought through the 'Virtuous Concordance of Yin and Yang.' Secondly, it is thought to be the vision of a new life based upon the spirit of Mutual Beneficence. Thirdly, it is thought to be a vision of true living through the realization of human dignity. Because of the appearance of the Ox Seeking Pictures of Daesoon Thought, this narrative picture shows the oxherd as searching for an ox which is the symbol of Daesoon Truth and Dao. Even though he catches the ox, he is still holds the rope to tie the ox to himself. He makes an effort to keep the ox steady. Finally, the oxherd's enlightenment becomes the source of responsibility to help unenlightened people in their struggles. In conclusion, it is necessary to interpret these paintings as the start of the Later World.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.49
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• pp.331-364
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• 2024

This article examines the religious implications of the concept of public (gong, 公) and private (sa, 私) affairs as presented in Daesoon Thought. To achieve this, the article first explores the three main meanings of gong and sa in the East Asian tradition: ①gong as ruling powers or institutions and sa as the personal sphere, ②gong as communal interests or opinions and sa as individual interests or opinions, and ③gong as fair ethical principles and sa as unfair, immoral intentions. The analysis reveals that Daesoon Thought strongly emphasizes the conceptualization of gong and sa in terms of ethical principles and immoral aspects. The practice of distinguishing between gong and sa is seen as an important way to open up the new order of life, called the Earthly Paradise of Later World, that Daesoon Jinrihoe aims to achieve. Daesoon Thought's theory on public versus private, which restrains the private (sa, 私) and prioritizes the public (gong, 公), provides a solid framework for self-transformation through moral practice, enabling participation in the Earthly Paradise of Later World envisioned by Jeungsan, the originator of Daesoon Jinrihoe's teachings.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.34
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• pp.141-169
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• 2020

This study focuses on the interpretation and transformation of "The Great Learning" within the Korean new religion, Daesoon Jinrihoe. Joseon Dynasty Korea was a member of the Chinese Character Cultural Sphere in East Asia. The examination and recruitment system of the Yuan Dynasty influenced the Joseon Dynasty for a long historical period. Zhu Xi's (朱熹) version of The Four Books were accepted and applied in imperial examinations during the Joseon Dynasty. The 18th century Confucian thinker, Jeong Yak-Yong (丁若鏞), overturned and rebuilt his own system for studying and interpreting The Four Books (四書學). Zhu Xi and Jeong Yak-Yong's systems of thought influenced Confucianism knowledge in that era. The historical figure deified as the Supreme God by Daesoon Jinrihoe, Kang Jeungsan (姜甑山), was trained in the study of The Four Books within that cultural and philosophical context, and this is especially evident in his interpretation and transmission of "The Great Learning." Kang Jeungsan regarding The Great Learning as deeply important. That text combined Confucian discourse on Principle, Mind, and Practice. In his interpretation, The Great Learning was also a medical and religious book that had holy and mysterious powers. In Mugeuk-do and Taegeuk-do (direct predecessors to Daesoon Jinrihoe), Jo Jeongsan interpreted the concept of Sincerity and Regularizing the Mind and incorporated them into doctrine as 'Sincerity, Respectfulness, and Faithfulness' and 'Guarding against Self-deception.' Park Wudang practiced and spread those doctrines to Korea, and Daesoon Jinrihoe devotees continue to follow those doctrines in present times.

• 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.43
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• pp.1-29
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• 2022

In this era of transnational migration, it is necessary to recognize the signs of the times regarding religion. During the globalization of Korean society, migration cannot be avoided, and as such, Korea should look towards hospitality with practical themes of religion and religious people aiming for peace. Therefore, this study examines the concept of 'conscience' in Daesoon Thought because this understanding of the conscience connects people to their heavenly endowed nature and their original selves. First, in order to explore the religious ideas of hospitality for transnational migration, this study viewed the issue through three analytical frames: exclusive perception, tolerant perception, and pluralistic perception, and then criticized these from the perspective of hospitality. Furthermore, hospitality was viewed as an attitude of attempting to expand one's sense of self in dealing with others. Religiously, it was derived that the expansion of one's sense of self should aim for relationships of Sangsaeng (相生 mutual beneficence) as these go beyond mere symbiosis. In addition, as a way to overcome otherness, the religious idea of unconditional hospitality towards migrants was explored focusing on the concept of conscience in Daesoon Thought. In Daesoon Thought, the mind is the source of Heaven and Earth and also the essence of human existence. There are two aspects of mind that arise in humans: conscience and private interest. In Daesoon Thought, the conscience enables human potential and aims for a return to the source. In other words, it is to abandon private-interest and regain one's nature and the essence of one's personality. This can be done through Mujagi (無自欺 Guarding against Self-deception); embodying and maintaining a mind that does not deceive itself. In Daesoon Thought, the practice of Sangsaeng ethics based on Mujagi is expressed as Haewon Sangsaeng (解冤相生 the Resolution of Grievances for Mutual Beneficence) and working for the betterment of others. Therefore, when the relational and communal perspectives of Daesoon Truth and Sangsaeng are reinforced, the argument for developing the practical ethics of Haewon Sangsaeng based on Mujagi into the transformation of the human spirit expressed as unconditional hospitality was found to be sound.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.25_1
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• pp.121-155
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• 2015

The purpose of this article is to study on the comparative relationship between mutual cooperation of the Dae-soon thought of Dae-soon jinrihoe and Shinnyo thought of Shinjo Ito. Dae-soon thought focuses on outspreading virtues and enlightenment teaching based on the saying of Jeong-san Sang Jae's Mutual cooperation without any grudge. According to the Buddha's nature thought of Shinjo Ito, 'Dharma kāya resident' is the source of touching upon buddhahood. The Shinyo-en is an outward manifestation of their deep resolve to help others by cultivating spiritual faculty and mind session. First, we can find the virtue action theory in the mutual cooperation of Dae-soon thought and the virtue nature theory in the Shinnyo thought of Shinjo Ito. From the perspective of comparative relationship, it was Jeong-san Sang Jae who laid foundation for the Posterior Grand Renewal. His idea is that the universe should be completed through the mutual communication between the earth and men following the Posterior Grand Renewal. It was Kyodoin-sama who laid the foundation for identifying the place Shinchoji was established. It was at the time that the power we call bakku-daiju as transversality and Shinnyo spiritual faculty were perfected through Shindoin-sama's passing. Second, based on Jeon-kyungn or Dae-soon Ji Chim, outspreading virtue is to awaken mutual cooperation without any grudge and the enlightenment teaching to practice according to mutual cooperation principle without any deceit toward one's own self. No deceit toward one's own self is to be sincere, to be respectful and to be faithful in Jeong-san Sang Jae. In the different context of Mahayana Buddhism, we can be aware that the immortal resident immortal of Dharma kāya is the source of permanent bliss in the Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra' From the perspective of comparative relationship to pray toward Jeong-san Sang Jae and to participate in the Posterior Grand Renewal is to take part in Cheonji-Gongsa. It is a similar phenomena to be reflected suchness reality before the three personifications of buddhahood and the Shinnyo Stupa is the same meaning as meeting the ever present Buddha. Both of them, they focus to find religious altruism from real possibilities of mutual support. They argue that to dispense with altruism is to dispense with Sang Jae or Dharma for the divine transformation of human possibilities Third, Everybody possesses unique and wonderful abilities to be unified with Jeong-san Sang Jae. If we seek happiness by trying to get by without making much of an effort to take part in CheonjiGongsa, it will be difficult to attain the harmony and peace of mankind with outspreading virtues and enlightenment teaching. In the 'Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra' tells us 'all sentient beings have Buddha nature' that could be the possibility to the fulfillment of buddhahood in the spiritual practice. From the comparative relationship, we can strive with open hearts and minds, in efforts that benefit others, and in ways we can work together to build a word of joy in which everyone can have an opportunity to cultivate spiritual faculty. This is based on mutually beneficial voluntary focused our principles into practice the spirit to build a mind session of Shinnyo as the civic clean precepts of 'Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra'. Fourth, the disciples of Jeong-san Sang Jae are encouraged to acquire the Mutual cooperation manner of being considerate. It is important to accumulate virtue action by daily effort. It is the contrast to awaken virtue nature by daily practice. The Buddha's nature thought of Shinjo Ito is based on the thought of Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra. It can be supported by the Shinnyo parents and the two Dojis to build a world of joy as the light dharma descending and the emphasis of Tathatā spiritual faculty. It's not that we can't do something we haven't attained a higher spiritual level. What counts is our continuos effort, act so we can cultivate our spiritual faculty through the way of mind session.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.39
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• pp.1-32
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• 2021

The purpose of this article is to explain the conceptual changes that the notion of Haewon (解冤) has undergone by examining the evolution of the usages of Haewon. In order to achieve this purpose, I reviewed the conceptual connotations and denotations of Haewon contained in data from the Joseon Dynasty (Section 2), the Japanese colonial period (Section 3), and the scriptures and major preceding research of Daesoon Jinrihoe (Section 4). The research results described in this article are as follows. First, Haewon is a term with historical, social, and cultural characteristics. This means that Haewon, a term that has been used since the Joseon Dynasty, was a concept used to solve collective problems but could also be applied on the individual level. This further means that, if culture is regarded as a collective consciousness or as a collection of material products, Haewon would be a term that contained social and cultural aspirations. Second, Haewon is not a concept that has been impervious to innovation throughout its history. This can be confirmed by the fact that Haewon's scope of application has changed depending on the problem domain (legal, natural disasters, an institutional domain, etc.). Third, Haewon has converted into religious language a doctrinal system that came about after the emergence of Jeungsan. This means that previously the concept of Haewon was mainly used at the legal level in the Joseon Dynasty, but after the emergence of Jeungsan, it became a term in religious language and in doctrine. The materials of Daesoon Jinrihoe show that this concept of Haewon was expanded to be included at the doctrinal level. These research results show a historical shift in the ideological thought contained in the concept of Haewon. As a term in religious language that is included in a doctrinal system, Haewon has an extension of denotations that is applied to the world beyond individuals and societies, yet it maintains connotations of resolving grievances. This concept of Haewon mediates the transformation of the world and creates a rationale by which training and ethical practice are necessary components of that process of transformation.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.38
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• pp.153-182
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• 2021

The Buddhist monk, Kim Ji-jang (金地藏), a native of Silla, is still revered as Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in China. In Chinese Buddhism, Kim Ji-jang's becoming Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is unique in at least two ways. First, it is said that his becoming the bodhisattva originated not in Silla, but in China, a foreign country. Second, it is said that the historical person became regarded as a mythical being, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The process of Kim Ji-jang's becoming Bodhisattva can be divided into three periods. The first period is the period of entering and practicing at Mount Jiuhua in China, and this also includes the period wherein he was first revered as Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The second period begins immediately after Kim Ji-jang's death and ends three years later. In this period he became regarded as Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The third period spans three years after his death to the present age. His status as Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva carries on at present. There are two main causes for Kim Ji-jang's transformation into the bodhisattva. The first is an internal bodhisattva process. According to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's main vow, Kim Ji-jang's practice and edification impressed the public. The second is an external bodhisattva process. The miracles that appeared at the time of his death or the manifestation of the incorruptible relics three years after his death played a decisive role in the process of Kim Ji-jang becoming a bodhisattva. In line with the public's devotion, the Chinese imperial family repaired and supported the temple that enshrined the relics of Kim Ji-jang. Various factors could be analyzed in the process of Kim Ji-jang's becoming Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, but more than anything else, it was Kim Ji-jang's severe ascetic practices and his virtuous edification of others.