• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.180-195
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• 2016

Since being designated as an important Intangible Cultural Property, Yeongsanjae has become recognized as a unique representation of Buddhist rituals in Korea. Following vigorous research in recent years, however, Suryukjae(水陸齋) was found to have been performed for a longer period and on a larger scale than Yeongsanjae, and under state leadership. This allowed researchers to move beyond the previous perspective that Yeongsanjae(靈山齋) lay at the center of many rituals. This study aims first to examine the origin and development of Yeongsanjae in Korea based on the literature, and then to discuss the meaning it holds today. Yeongsanjae was recorded as a ritual in Jineongwongong -published in 1496 during the early Joseon Dynasty- and also appeared in Yeongsandaehoejakbeopjeolcha -published in 1634(the 12th year of Injo's reign) in the mid-Joseon Dynasty and it was called Yeongsandaehoejakbeopjeolcha. It continued into the late Joseon Dynasty and it was called Yeongsanjakbeop or Yeongsandaehoejakbeop in the Ojongbeomeum collections(1661), CheonjimyeongyangSuryukjaeuiBeomeumsanbo collections(1721), and Jakbeobguigam(1826). In modern times, it has been called Yeongsanje in newspaper articles of TongnipSinmun (The Independent) and Yeongsanjae in Seokmunuibeom(1935). Nevertheless, the difference between the early Joseon Dynasty and subsequent periods is whether mourning of the spirit(唱魂) is added. In this regard, Yeongsanhoe in the early Joseon Dynasty mainly concerned Buddhist teachings realized through rituals such as sermon scenes of the Buddha. On the other hand, it was combined with Buddhist masses for the dead(追薦) from the mid-Joseon Dynasty and performed alongside with Buddhist teachings and prayers for the dead. Taking into account the seven-day Suryukjae, however, Yeongsanjae was performed daily during the day and mainly dealt with Buddhist teachings, while Buddhist masses for the dead were included when Yeongsanjae was performed independently.

• MISULJARYO - National Museum of Korea Art Journal
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• v.100
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• pp.112-138
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• 2021

This paper mainly analyzes the records titled 'Shijujil(施主秩)' from the Bokjangs of each of the Rocana and Shakyamuni statues enshrined as wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triadcomposed of Vairocana(center), Rocana(right), and Shakyamuni(left) at the Daeungjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye. The Shijujil from the Shakyamuni statue was recovered through Bokjang investigation in September 2015 and has been kept in the museum of Hwaeomsa as an undisclosed relic. After the discovery of the Shijujil from the Rocana statue through an Bokjang investigation in July 2020, both of the Shijujils were only officially released through the special exhibition 'Grand Hwaeomsa Temple in Jirisan Mountain' in September 2021. Existing documents recording on the creation of Buddha statues in the 17th century are in the form of sheets or rolls. However, the Shijujils take the form of simple stitched booklets. The Shijujil from Rocana consists of 19 chapters and 38 pages in one book, and the Shijujil from Shakyamuni consists of 11 chapters and 22 pages in one book. The contents of the Shijujils consist of the purpose of the Buddha statue creation, the creation date, the year and place of enshrining, the names of the statues, the people in charge and their roles, the sculptors, the list of items donated, and the list of the contributors. In addition, the list of monks who were staying at Hwaeomsa Temple at that time are also recorded, so the Shijujil is like a time capsule that tells the situation of Hwaeomsa Temple about 400 years ago. According to the records of the Shijujils and the Writing on the wooden pedestal of Rocana, the Vairocana Triad began to be in March 1634(12th year of King Injo) and was completed in August of that year, and was enshrined in the Daeungjeon Hall in the fall of the following year. It is very important to confirm that the Vairocana Buddha Triad of Hwaeomsa was created in 1634. Since studies on the reconstruction of Hwaeomsa Temple in the 17th century and the roles of Byeokam Gakseong have been mainly based on 『湖南道求禮縣智異山大華嚴寺事蹟』 written by monk Haean in 1636, it has been estimated that the wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triad was created in 1636. However, it is now known that the Virocana Buddha Triad was created in 1634. The Shijujils are also a good source of information about Byeokam Gakseong who played a pivotal roles in the reconstruction projects of Hwaeomsa Temple in the 17th century. He played leading roles in rebuilding the East Five-story Stone Pagoda(1630), in creating the wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triad(1634), and in producing the Yeongsanhoe Gwaebul(1653, Hanging Scroll Painting depicting the Shakyamuni preaching). It is also very important that the Shijujils are records that can reveal the relationship between Byeokam Gakseong and royal family of Joseon Dynasty in the 17th century. The Shijujils from Rocana and Shakyamuni are the first documents ever discovered in which the names of royal family members, such as Uichanggun(Gwang Lee, son of King Seonjo), Ikseong Shin(son-in-law of King Seonjo), and Crown Prince Sohyeon(son of King Injo) are recorded in detail in relation to the production of Buddha statues. The Shijujils from Rocana and Shakyamuni contain specific information about the production of the wooden seated Vairocana Buddha Triad in the 17th century, such as the year of production of the Buddha statues, the role of Byeokam Gakseong, and the relationship between Byeokam Gakseong and the royal family, so it is of great value not only for art history but also for historical studies of Hwaeomsa Temple.