Korea Journal of Buddhist StudiesISSN:1598-0642(Print)불교학연구회

Silla(新羅) officially accepted Buddhism in 527, the 14th year of the reign of King Beopheung(法興王, r. 514-540). At that time, the Silla royal family was evenly opposed by an aristocracy that believed in Shamanism and strongly believed in the concept of ‘descended from Heaven’(天降) or ‘Son of Heaven’ (天孫). Buddhism offered an ideology that weakened the power of this aristocracy and strengthened the centralized royal authority of the Silla royal family. Theories such as Cakravartin (轉輪聖王, Wheel-turning Sage King), Real Lineage(眞種), the King is Buddha(王卽佛) and others, are typical examples from Buddhism used to reinforce the power of the Silla royal family. In particular, the Real Lineage Theory was used to apply Śāyamuni ’s(釋迦牟尼) family tree to that of the Silla royal family. This was the powerful logic used to strengthen the royal authority of the Silla royal family by borrowing from the prestige of Śāyamuni . Moreover, the Real Lineage Theory is unique that it was only applied to the Silla royal family during the Mid-Ancient Silla period, from the reign of King Beopheung(法興王, r. 514-540) to King Muyeol(武烈王, r. 654-661), with special emphasis on King Jinpyeong(眞平王, r. 579-632). This provides an important clue to the character of Silla era Buddhism. Therefore, this paper will focus on the background and meaning of using special means to consolidate the sovereign rights of the royal family during the Mid- Ancient Silla period, with particular emphasis on the Real Lineage Theory. Then, this paper will clarify that the Real Lineage Theory is a Buddhist acculturation of the concept of ‘Descended from Heaven’, a common belief in theocracy, and the inherent sense of divine blood ties that rulers commonly felt. Futhermore, it will reveal an innate characteristic of Silla Buddhism that was utilized to reinforce royal authority. In particular, this paper will try to point out a characteristic of Silla society through a discussion which revolving around a comparison with King Aśka ’s consolidation of power in ancient India. King Aśka aimed to strengthen the power of the throne using a basic Buddhist concept, “the equality of all people.” On the other hand, the Silla royal family reinforced its own sovereign power by emphasizing the special blood ties of the Silla royal family which they modeled on the lineage of Śāyamuni’s royal family. The differences should make it clear that Buddhism was used to influence political transformation and development in Silla.