• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.33
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• pp.319-349
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• 2019

This study aims to elucidate the origin and yield of life and its characteristics and purpose in Daesoon Thought. Thereby, Taegeuk (the Great Ultimate) and Sangje (the Supreme God) have been deemed the source and ontology of life. The structure of each living creature is explained through reason (理), energy (氣) and spirit (神). In addition, through vital reason and living energy, the purpose of life makes the realization of the benevolent characteristics of life possible through the mind of Sangje. This line of research is unique among currently available research views of life as it perceives the spirit to be an ontological entity with functions and interactive engagement. By way of contrast, prior research suggests that spirit is life itself and includes it in the category of life and death. The Daesoon view of life is unique in that it is somewhat influenced by ontology and developmental theories from Confucianism, yet the concept of divine beings suggests a humanistic Sangje, who presides over the Great Ultimate. The realization of reason in this model is rather thought-provoking. Humans, just like other living things, are born with vital essence and function and interact as a main source to preside over the innate spirits inside themselves. Humans take responsibility for a certain sphere in the Three Realms that make up the world. They are also recognized as a significant feature in the world. Such an idea in Daesoon Thought depicts that 'the enshrinement of spirit into human being (神封於人),' follows Heaven and Earth. This is done to rectify humans in order to meet the needs of the universe and ultimately establish the era of the enshrinement of spirits into human beings. As for humanity, this possibility exists because of the spirits contained within their inner-selves. When cultivating oneself, humans and outer spirits actively interact with each other. This is likely to cause changes in a human's constitution and characteristics. In the end, one can be enshrined with corresponding divine beings according to one's degree of cultivation. Humans are born through the command of Sangje and the accomplishments of their ancestors as well as the energy of the universe. Present day humans encounter the era of human nobility and the era of humankind's divine salvation. Thereby, the purpose of human life is to contribute to the universe. To achieve this goal, the most important thing is to wholly realize that one's nature and reason were endowed by Heaven, which emerged from virtuous conduct in society. This is also akin to the movement of reason in Jeungsanist Thought. Sangsaeng (mutual beneficence) among oneself and others and between human beings and divine beings can be completed through the resolution of grievances for mutual beneficence and the grateful reciprocation of favors for mutual beneficence. If one accomplishes the perfected state of one's own nature and reveals it wholly, then one will be fully able to interact with spirits and reach the state of the human nobility.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.61-71
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• 2020

The purpose of this paper is to reaffirm the logical framework of the saju analysis method by recreating the saju model of old-law to study and organize the theories of frame in old-law Myeongri, and then by organizing and comparing the logic structure of the saju analysis method of new-law and old-law. Some believe that Myeongri Theory first appeared in the world in the Warring States Period when they were active with Gwigokja and Naknokja as origin, while others believe that it was origin that "Okjokyeong" was written by Kwak-Bak of Eastern Jin after a while. Since then, Myeongri Theory, which had been organized by Won-Cheongang and Yi-Heojung, has undergone a major transformation since reaching the Song Dynasty Seo-Japyeong. Based on this point, the Myeongri Theory of the previous generation is called the Old-law, and the subsequent theory is called the New-law. The changes in the logic structure of the old-law and the new-law leave a big difference and disconnect between those. But comparative studies have confirmed that the philosophy and logic structure due to natural laws that have not changed much such as the symbolic system of nature called Yinyang & five elements and Cheongan-jiji, the idea of a heavenly response projected in the Three Wonders of heaven, earth and human, and the concept of generation and time in the position of year-month-day-time.