종교의 세속화와 선(禪) 명상의 방향성 모색

Abstract

Seon 禪, a traditional practice of East Asian Buddhism, has undergone many changes in terms of content and appearance since the modern era. The core of the pattern of change was secularization. This pattern is in line with the phenomenon of secularization in the whole religious culture in modern society. The agenda of secularization was raised in earnest from the mid-20th century in the field of religious studies. The representative example is that meditation and happiness have emerged in Christianity to the extent that soteriology is replaced. Seon was introduced to the West in the form of modern Japanese New Buddhism, and combined with meditation or psychotherapy techniques, it rapidly spread to the public. In the West, Seon showed secularization patterns such as active social participation and democratic organization. This popular feature made happiness be accepted as no less than liberation or nirvana, or as a substitute for it. Korean Buddhists also show the secularization of Seon, as follows: the formation of political ties with secular powers, depends on secular law for much of the management of the temple, rapid and full acceptance of modern meditation, spread of Seon practice among the general public, and ‘happiness' rapidly emerged as the purpose of Seon meditation. In the era of secularization of religion, it became an important issue to recheck and establish the direction of Seon. It is important to positively accept the secularization of religion, but not to lose the value and orientation that Seon originally pursued.