• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.31
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• pp.237-269
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• 2018

This study aims to look into Daesoon Thought from the perspective of Neo-Confucianism. Numinous emptiness (虛靈), wise-awakening (知覺), and divine beings (神明) in the Scripture of the Black Tortoise (Hyeonmu-gyeong) are often mentioned as characteristics of the mind in Neo-Confucianism. Accordingly, this research take up the 'Che-Yong (substance, 體 and function, 用)' of mind by classifying numinous emptiness as Origin-Substance (本體), wise-awaking as function, and divine beings as subjects. Numinous emptiness enables an individual to have been born with Li (理) of Taegeuk (太極), which is a mandate from Heaven and the nature of humanity; whereas one embodies spirit and brightness mind based on Origin-Substance. This numinous emptiness of mind is precisely the mind-spirit. Wise-awakening is a function of mind, which actually awakens numinous emptiness (理) and objects (氣). The mind which realizes the Li of Taegeuk as numinous emptiness is conscientiousness and can be taken as a Dao-Mind. The mind which desires objects refers to the Human Mind or a selfish motive. Such propensity in terms of wise-awakening determines the state of mind. One should reach the state of a quiet mind by wisely awakening through the scripture. Divine beings correspond to metaphysical Origin-Substance and physical objects respectively. In addition, they comprehend all and preside over wise-awakening as subjects. The subject recognizes wise-awakening and responds to it. Mind is a path traveled upon by divine beings as they enter and exit. In this regard, the human mind refers to the organ used by immanent deities, which accumulates physical senses, innermost mental processes, and awakened activities. Furthermore, Transcendental deities also come in and out through mental correspondence, leading to changes in one's physical constitution or personality. This paper focuses on the mind perceived in Daesoon Thought as follows: first, besides the existing spiritual perspective, the research takes a view on surveying numinous emptiness, wise-awakening, and divine beings in Neo-Confucianism. Secondly, the Che-Yong of mind is closely looked into by means of innate numinous emptiness as Che and wise-awakening as Yong. Lastly, the essence, energy, and divinity as well as spiritual soul and physical soul are mentioned according to the concept of an immanent deity. The paper also clarifies the fact that divine beings preside over the mind as subjects.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.38
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• pp.115-151
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• 2021

According to Lee Young-geum, the ideas of grievance resolution and mutual beneficence were already present in shamanism. She also insists that Jeungsan merely theorized upon these ideas by inheriting them and his religious activities must be identified from within a shamanistic worldview. Contrary to Lee's claim, Cha Seon-keun argues that the grievance resolution of Jeungsan is far beyond the contents and level of development found in shamanism. He also insists that Jeungsan's religious activities must be identified as having a certain orderly uniqueness distinct from shamanism. The argument between these two different perspectives has not attracted other researchers besides those who are directly involved. However, this debate deserves attention with regard to the problem of how one approaches a given religion and which academic perspective should be applied. Based on the perspective of the Daesoon Jinrihoe, this study examines their debate by considering four issues. Firstly, whether Jeungsan inherited or expanded upon the subject of grievance resolution and its range remains undetermined. Secondly, the ethics of mutual beneficence and grateful reciprocation in Jeungsan's concept of grievance resolution should be analyzed as to whether that idea reasserts the ethics of shamanism. Thirdly, it is necessary to study whether his method of grievance resolution fully embraced the methods of grievance resolution that exist in shamanism. Lastly, it should be determined whether or not Jeungsan's religious activities and system of thought should be identified within a shamanistic worldview. Through this review, Lee and Cha can be shown to have different opinions on the academic approach to research on religion. Accordingly, this study concludes that Lee's method of only interpreting Jeungsan's religious thought via a shamanic worldview is incompatible with academic methodology. A scholar of religious studies should discuss Jeungsan on his own merits rather than just imply that Jeungsan thoroughly reflects the worldview of shamanism, doctrinal studies of Buddhism, and Daoist thought as well as other theologies. In other words, if certain tangible and intangible elements found in shamanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and Christianity are also observed in Jeungsan's religious thought, it is necessary to comprehend how different or similar those elements are or whether they are re-interpreted in any manner. In the case of Lee, her method of overemphasizing similarities is now criticized as outdated. Nowadays, it is necessary to demonstrate awareness of modern religious studies tendency to pay equal attention to similarities and differences.

• Journal of Daesoon Thought and the Religions of East Asia
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.85-109
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• 2022

Yiguandao missions arrived in Korea no later than 1947. Despite many obstacles, including war and internal dissension, the movement has flourished in South Korea. Today there are three active major lineages and another seven smaller networks. This article relates the movement's overall development in Korea. We begin by discussing key missions dispatched to Korea by Yiguandao's founder Zhang Tianran. The northern port city of Tianjin was key to this effort, in particular a single temple, the Hall of Morality. In Korea the leaders found an unfamiliar cultural landscape that was soon engulfed in war. The Yiguandao missions tended to develop independently, without coordination. In an effort to unify the movement, the Morality Foundation was established in Busan in 1952. The article shows how Yiguandao's subsequent success in Korea is connected to the development of indigenous leadership. Local Korean leadership ousted Chinese members from the Morality Foundation in 1954, and this branch has continued under Korean leadership to this day. The ousted Chinese leaders continued to develop their own lineages. Two major leaders, Zhang Ruiquan and Kim Bokdang, were able to establish enduring legacies. A final section looks at organizational traits that will determine the movement's future prospects in modern Korean society.

• Journal of Daesoon Thought and the Religions of East Asia
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.115-132
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• 2022

Caodaism officially came into existence in 1926 in Southern Vietnam and soon became a spiritual phenomenon, in the sense of spiritual and social influence. Despite being sandwiched between political forces and ruling governments, Caodaism steadily grew far beyond its national boundary. After 95 years, Caodaism eventually reached Taiwan when a new small Cao Đài Congregation, approved by top Cao Đài Dignitaries in Vietnam, was established in Zhongli District, Taoyuan City by a group identifying as 'Vietnamese New Immigrants' in Taiwan. This article traced this religious organization's doctrine, philosophy, prophecy and relevant socio-cultural factors and found that (1) Caodaists see the successful spreading of Caodaism to Taiwan as having been prophesied long ago; (2) Caodaists believe that any human efforts by Cao Đài missionaries to spread Caodaism overseas without approval from Divinities could end up in failure; and (3) the similarities in social, cultural, and religious practices between the peoples of Vietnam and Taiwan lay a strong foundation for Caodaism to further develop in Taiwan.

• Journal of Daesoon Thought and the Religions of East Asia
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.109-128
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• 2023

Recent research shows that since the early 2000s, the Chinese Communist Party has increasingly used various cultural heritage sites, including Buddhist sites, as soft power agents. Furthermore, in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative, launched by the People's Republic of China, Buddhist temples, representatives, and practices have been harnessed to play a role in the state's agenda. In this context, White Horse Temple, as a feature of cultural tourism in Henan Province, is facing new opportunities and challenges. The article examines the material particularities of reconstructing the temple in light of this trajectory, building on materials retrieved at the site, and online representations of the temple. The author explores how the temple's unique spatiality and characteristics stress the use of soft power which harnesses online and offline cultural and popular trends for state agenda.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.17
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• pp.73-92
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• 2004

The present article deals with the concept 'ekayāna' as the spirit of the times in the period of Unifying War in Shilla, which is embodied in the thought of Wonhyo and Euisang. This article is divided into five sections. Section I introduces the background of research history regarding the spirit of the age during the Unifying War, and explaines the reason why we adopted two thinkers such as Wonhyo and Euisang, especially the concept 'ekayāna' of the two as a subject for inquiry. Section II discusses on the hermeneutical difference between the Chinese Faxiang sect and Wonhyo regarding the interpretation of one passage from Saṃdhinirmocana-Sūtra, in which the relation between ekayāna and triyāna is explained. It is noteworthy that Faxiang sect places emphasis on the differentiation of triyāna, but Wonhyo gives emphasis to equality of ekayāna. Section III refers to the hermeneutical horizons of Wonhyo which is connoted in the interpretation of Saṃdhinirmocana-Sūtra, especially focusing on the concept 'ekayāna'. Here we can make a conclusion as follows; Firstly, the 'ekayāna' in Wonhyo is immanent in 'triyāna' and at the same time transcendental from 'triyāna', so to speak 'com-transcendetal' with 'triyāna'. Secondly, there is inseparable and unmixable relation between 'ekayāna' and beings. In another words, 'ekayāna' is śūnyatā. Thirdly, 'ekayāna' is a kind of universal truth(普法 pŭ fă) in that it offers the benefit to open and develop the immanent buddhadhātu of all living lives. In addition to Wonhyo's thought on ekayāna, section IV refers to the concept 'ekayāna' of Euisang. On Euisang, 'ekayāna' is 'the perfect teaching(圓敎 yuán jiào)' and 'pratītyasamutpāda'. From this point of view, we can conclude that the thought on ekayāna between the two, Wonhyo and Euisang is not different, and completely coherent. As a result, as it is concluded in section V, it is also clear that ekayāna has 'com-transcendental' relation to triyāna. Therefore we can safely make a conclusion that the spirit of the times in the period of Unifying War in Shilla among the leading thinkers is the vision for 'com-transcendency'.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.23
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• pp.109-152
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• 2014

This paper deals with the artistic expression of religious thought in terms of the uniqueness of different images and creativity. The relationship between religion and art is complicated but popular in modern society. Film becomes the icon of modern culture to enhance the knowledge of religious traditions. Among many Korean religious films, Kang Daejin's work, The Way of Peace (1984) contains the life and thought of Kang Jeungsan(1871-1909), the highest god of Daesoonjinrihoe. First, the film, The Way of Peace, pays attention to the legitimacy of succession from Kang Jeungsan to Cho Jeongsan(1895-1958). Korea was beset with trouble both at home and abroad. China, Japan, Russia, and the US had the colonial desire to conquer the lands of Korea and to explore natural resources. Though the people of Eastern Learning(東學) protested government and Japanese colonialists, Jeungsan applied the principle of non-violence to the world. In order to save all the living beings of the world, he reordered the universe and renewed the harmonic relationship of human beings and their spirit. Second, The Way of Peace proposed the soteriology of peace and change to audience regardless of seekers(道人) or not. Jeungsan transformed the closed society to the open society, changed divided religions to the transcendent truth(道). He empowered the marginalized people such as women, the lowly, the elderly, and the sick, who were oppressed in the Confucian society. And he redeemed the people from the disease by healing all diseases and correcting disorders. In conclusion, The Way of Peace is a good resource of religious education by which we can overcome the religious illiteracy. The knowledge of new religious movements and Daesoonjinrihoe is necessary for us to understand the diversity of human nature. In the near future, the new images of Jeungsan should be created through multi-media and cultural contents for the new generation.

• 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.24_1
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• pp.315-349
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• 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.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.41
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• pp.179-217
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• 2022

Concerning the differences in the tales between the Investigation of Historical Remains of Patriarch Jinmuk (hereafter, IHRPJ), as well as those which appear in Jeungsanist Thought and Daesoon Thought, previous studies view such differences as Jeungsan's intentional modification of the original intent of the narratives or as indicating differences in beliefs and values. This style of interpretation seeks to reconcile both Korean Buddhism and Jeungsanist and Daesoon Thought based on the premise that the former and the latter two exhibit differences in values. This study accepts the above view of the differences in description according to values. However, the differences between the tales of Jinmuk that appears in IHRPJ versus those in The Canonical Scripture can be approached from a new perspective, i.e., the differences that exist between literary and oral traditions; rather than only stemming from potential differences in the world views espoused by Buddhism and Daesoon Thought. These refer to the IHRPJ, which was constructed first as literary narratives in the 19th century; however, there was also folklore that had been handed down from the 18th century. As a result of examining the relationship between Jinmuk and Bonggok via this interpretive horizon, the contents of the IHRPJ are found to reflect the values and intentions of the intellectual class, such those held by Master Cho-ui and Kim Ki-jong, whereas oral traditions can be seen as a reflection of the hopes of the people of the late Joseon Dynasty. Jeungsan should also be interpreted as having utilized folklore in his teachings. Meanwhile, the circumstances and intentions behind publishing the IHRPJ are analyzed in the context of the text's historical background and the relationship between Confucianism and Buddhism during the 16th through 19th centuries. In particular, through the Compilations of Wandang and the collection of writings of Buddhist monastics, I have evaluated that Confucianism needed to purify and correct materials according to the ideology of the times in order to promote a spirit of morality and courtesy. Likewise, Buddhist Master Cho-Ui also embellished records to benefit Buddhism and deleted oral records that could harm the reputation of Buddhism. On the other hand, when viewing Records of Shrine Renovation and existing oral traditions, it can be shown that some Jinmuk tales existed in the 18 th century which were not included in the IHRPJ. Thereby, Jeungsan's description of Jinmuk tales can be reappraised as accepting the oral secular tradition that conveyed the wishes of the people. In other words, compared to the IHRPJ, which reflects only the harmonious content of Confucianism and Buddhism due to political and social factors, The Canonical Scripture reflects oral traditions that were widespread during the late Joseon Dynasty. As evidence, it can be suggested that there are many narratives about the relationship between Jinmuk and Bonggok that center on Bonggok's jealousy and the murder of Jinmuk. Jeungsan aimed to encompass people of all classes according to their minds and wills rather than their political positions or statuses. Therefore, Jeungsan did not need to rewrite the narrative content that had been passed down via oral tradition. Instead he embraced those narratives as a projection of the voices of the people.