Korea Journal of Buddhist Studies ISSN:1598-0642(Print) 불교학연구

The 8th century master Jinpyo (眞表) has been considerably emphasized in the Buddhist history of Korea because his teaching of Maitreya faith and divination service had far-reaching effects on Silla society. Further, his influence had a vitality which was transmitted by his disciples up the present. The common topics found in the many different Jinpyo-related texts are Geumsansa temple, Maitreya faith, divination service, and vinaya teachings. In particular, this paper re-examines the characteristics of Jinpyo's Maitreya faith. Jinpyo's encounter with Maitreya Bodhisattva seems to have been an experience of meditative concentration by entering samādhi on the characteristic marks of a Buddha (觀佛三昧). Through word of mouth, this experience changed into a story of meeting the Maitreya Bodhisattva directly, and then to a story of spiritual efficacy when he received Maitreya Bodhisattva's fingerbone. These stories actively guided the general public to take refuge in Buddhism. Jinpyo led many common people to the expectation of reaping the fruit of good karma by keeping the precepts and being reborn in Tuṣita Heaven, where Maitreya Bodhisattva resides. This is line with the purpose of the divination service of Jinpyo. He believed that one's individual karma can be known by divination. According to the individual divinatory sign, Jinpyo gave the proper precepts to each individual according to their karma and had them practice repentance in order to improve their karma. There are many studies of Jinpyo that tries to understand his Buddhism through the perspective of the Consciousness-only school (法相宗 Dharma-character school). However, we have to reconsider the grounds for this perspective and re-examine the role of Master Jinpyo as preceptor (律師).