나말려초 ‘묘관찰지인’ 아미타불상의 출현과 의미

Abstract

Fearlessness and Wish-granting Mudra (施無畏與願印), Touching Mudra (觸地印), Wheel-turning Mudra (轉法輪印), and Myogwanchalji-in (妙觀察智印) are all the typical hand gestures of Amitabha Buddha statue created in the Unified Silla. Most of these hand gestures are the Shared-mudra (通印) which means they are not the only icon for Amitabha Buddha. In other words, it can not be the absolute standard for the judgement of Amitabha, but Myogwanchalji-in is exceptional. Myogwanchalji-in is a significant icon gestured only by Amitabha Buddha.<BR> The issue is Myogwanchalji-in is the representative icon of Diamond Realm (金剛界) of the Middle Esoteric Buddhism (中期密敎). As widely known, the existence of Middle Esoteric Buddhism during the Unified Silla is still unclear. The related historical record nor the art work do not exist today. In addition, a few of Esoteric Buddhism icon, such as Wisdom Mudra (智拳印), Seven Lions Pedestal (七獅子臺座), Crown (寶冠), appear as Vairocana Buddha Statue icon enshrined in Hwaeom and Zen Temple.<BR> The paper concluded that although Myogwanchalji-in, created in 9~10th century, manifest the Esoteric Buddhism Mudra, the religious belief is distinguished from Middle Esoteric Buddhism’s Amitabha. The Myogwanchalji-in was simply adopted as a symbol of Amitabha. Because the Buddhist Temple, where it is enshrined, and the related record show unattributable relation with Middle Esoteric Buddhism. Moreover, the Middle Esoteric Buddhism was not organized nor systemized to create independent sacred image of buddha during the Unified Silla.<BR> This paper also presents three objectives of the reason why Esoteric Buddhism icon was expressed in Exoteric Buddhism. First, Vairocana Buddha Statue established a good precedent. Due to the hand gesture of Wisdom Mudra, Vairocana Buddha"s identity was highlighted which creates an sympathetic atmosphere of Middle Esoteric Buddhism icon. Second, Myogwanchalji-in was chosen due to a good chemistry with 9~10th century Amitabha Faith. During the period, Amitabha Faith emphasized the Buddha chanting (nianfo) for "Meditation (Dhyana)" and "Samadhi (serenity)" which in line with the meaning of Myogwanchalji-in. In detail, the name of Lushan Hui-yuan (廬山 慧遠, 334-416), who spread the Buddha chanting for "Meditation" and "Samadhi", was found on various Zen Monks’ epitaph. Last, the influx of new Buddha icon from China could be the stimulant of changes. Most of the Buddhist Temple, where Myogwanchalji-in is enshrined, are located in major logistic herb of importing new culture from China. Also the creation period of Myogwanchalji-in was close to the time when Silla monks returned home from Tang (唐).<BR> Unfortunately, Myogwanchalji-in was not the majority but just one of 9~10th century Amitabha Buddha‘s mudra. However, the significance of Myogwanchalji-in visually showed the diversity change of 9~10th century Amitabha Faith and proved Silla Buddhism accepted Esoteric Buddhism icon without any antipathy.