• Journal of Daesoon Thought and the Religions of East Asia
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.127-151
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• 2021

The core tenets of Daesoon Jinrihoe in Jeungsanism are encapsulated in the teachings of Eumyang-hapdeok (陰陽合德, Virtuous Concordance of Yin and Yang), Shinin-johwa (神人調化, Harmonious Union between Divine Beings and Human Beings), Haewon-sangsaeng (解寃相生, Resolution of Grievances for Mutual Beneficence) and Dotongjingyeong (道通眞境, Perfected Unification with Dao). Among them, the first three teachings eventually turn towards the prophetic thought of Dotong-jingyeong, which is the process of man becoming a divine figure. While these principles are considered crucial advice for overcoming an unstable life, there are many curious questions that help for better comprehension. What is the reality of Jin-gyeong (眞境) for their followers? How can one reach the ultimate stage under this belief system? Is this ideological concept different from similar perspectives of other major religions? How is this concept related to the idea of Jisang-cheonguk (地上天國, earthly paradise)? This paper analyses these issues of Jin-gyeong from the historical and social narratives of Haengnok (行錄, Acts), Gongsa (公事, Reordering Works), Gyoun (敎運, Progress of the Order), Gyobeop (敎法, Dharma), Gwonji (權智, Authority and Foreknowledge) and Yesi (豫示, Prophetic Elucidations) in The canonical scripture of Jeon-gyeong and also from the ontological approaches of East Asian faiths in order to identify alternative notions of Daesoon cosmology. The paper, based on the sayings of Kang Jeungsan, particularly his philosophy of the Later World, argues the insight that the Jin-gyeong world can be interpreted as created through the Cheonji-gongsa (天地公事, Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth) project in terms of Gaebyeok (開闢, Great Opening) and the earthly paradise as open only for those who achieve the condition of Sin-ingan (新人間, literally means 'new humans' but symbolizing 'being a human-god') by the personal cultivation of Dotong (道通, the unity with Dao).

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.46
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• pp.33-68
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• 2023

Simwudo (尋牛圖), known as Ox Seeking Pictures, originated in the 11th-12th century and have consistently played a guiding role in the teachings of various religions in East Asia. Some Korean religions that emerged during modern times conveyed their teachings through depictions of ox seeking or herding. Among them, Daesoon Jinrihoe stands out as a representative religion. The belief system of this particular religion elucidates its distinct doctrine and worldview by reimagining Simwudo, into a new set of six panels (seven or nine panels in some variations). The Simwudo of Daesoon Jinrihoe differs from that of Buddhism, particularly in its treatment of meditation (禪), both in terms of context and significance. While they share similarities in the aspect of ox-seeking, the Buddhist Simwudo symbolizes human nature, whereas the Simwudo of Daesoon Jinrihoe represents the great Dao of Heaven and Earth propagated by Kang Jeungsan and brought into completion by Jo Jeongsan. In the Buddhist context, the subject of the search is the Ox, signifying the restoration of a deluded human's pure nature in order to achieve personal salvation and in some version of Simwudo, reenter society to perform salvific actions for others. On the other hand, in the Simwudo of Daesoon Jinrihoe depicts the process of a human attaining immortality and following the teachings of Jeungsan and Jeongsan. This culminates in the final image which is the redemption of the world. The final phase of the Buddhist Simwudo, depending on the version, is either enlightenment (personal salvation) or reentering society to perform salvific actions (as a bodhisattva), whereas the Simwudo of Daesoon Jinrihoe show the simultaneous achievement of the perfection of humanity and the redemption of the world. This distinction highlights the fundamental differences between the Simwudo of these two distinctly different religious traditions. These differences arise from the contrasting purposes pursued by Buddhism and Daesoon Jinrihoe.