This paper explores the notion of “secularism” in the premodern East Asian, specifically Chinese, context with a focus on Buddhism. The first question entertained is the notion of premodern Chinese “secularism.” Does premodern Confucianism qualify as such? Here one runs into the problem of applying modern concepts with premodern practices, not to mention the Western bias in the definition of categories like “religion” and “secularism.” Although the secular orientations of Confucianism are well-known, I maintain that Confucianism maintains stronger religious inclinations than often acknowledged, via its commitment to ritual (li 禮), whereby one carries the reverence of religious ceremony into all aspects of life. The Confucian ritual program is based in a belief in a moral order pervading the universe and a world sympathetic to human goodness exhibited through moral behavior. A belief in the notion of “sympathetic resonance” (ganying 感應), a belief in a force that infuses the cosmos susceptible to human influence, provides an underlying basis through which each of China’s three premodern traditions are contributing partners in maintaining the natural and social order. The Buddhist contributions and amelioration to the Chinese “secular” order are examined through the specific writings of Zanning 贊寧 (919-1001), the leading Buddhist at the early Song dynasty court. His proposals offer a window of possibility into how Buddhism adapted to the Chinese “secular” milieux, became domesticated, and incorporated into the bureaucratic structure as an essential component of an overarching Chinese tradition. Ultimately, Zanning advocates for a tradition of Buddhist Ru 儒 and a program for Buddhist junzi 法門君子 as the pinnacle of Buddhist involvement in the Chinese secular context.
목차
Abstract Modern notions of Secularism Premodern Chinese (Confucian) “secularism” Premodern Chinese notions of secularism(multi-ideational model) The Three Teachings as Implements of the Chinese Emperor Confucian anti-Buddhist agendas Zanning as Buddhist Ru Buddhism in a Confucian “Secular” World Buddhism in a “Secular” Age Bibliography
금강대학교 불교문화연구소 [Geumgang Center for Buddhist Studies]
설립연도
2003
분야
인문학>불교학
소개
불교학의 제 분야에서 활약하는 우수한 소장학자를 연구교수 및 연구원으로 초빙하여 불교문헌의 연구와 번역, 출판과 학술교류등 사업을 추진한다. 또한 국제적 수준으로 한국불교학계를 발전시키기 위해 본 대학교 불교문화학부와 협동하여 국제학술회의의 개최 및 저명한 외국인학자의 초빙강연 등의 국제적 학문교류를 적극적으로 수행한다. 이를 통해 한국불교학의 수준을 향상시키고 세계적인 불교학의 중심지로서 발전하고자 하는데 있다.