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

In the 16th century Joseon, Neo-Confucianism became established profoundly. Therefore Buddhism declined continuously at that time. But the role of the belief in the future life depended on Buddhism as before. The ceremony for a deceased person was carried out at Buddhist temple. So Buddhist temples remained alive hardly. Over than 1,500 temples remained, and many copies of Buddhist books like Mantras and Dharanis were published which are necessary for memorial ceremony. The patrons of that publication changed from royal families to common people. They show that many ceremonies were held in Buddhist temple to solve disasters and diseases. In spite of systematical suppression, Buddhism undertook the belief of people. And various kinds of Buddhist books published many times. Monks read those books to prepare Buddhist state examination and to attend lectures. These trends led Buddhists to search for a new Buddhist thought which suit with Neo-Confucianism. Repeated publication of Mengshan(蒙山)'s works was related with this trend.Mengshan's works published especially concentrated in 16th century. Those were Tanjing (壇經) edited by Mengshan (Teyi), Liudao Pushuo (六道普說), Summary of Preachings of Mengshan, Annotated Daodejing (道德經) and Four Essays (四說). The publication of Mengshan's works means that Buddhists tried to find a new thought. Because Mengshan's works emphasize the training according to Kanhuachan (看話禪), and assert the harmony of Zen and Doctrinism. Mengshan's works furthermore assert the harmony of Buddhism, Neo-Cunfucianism and Taoism.These publication and spread of Mengshan's works proofed that Buddhists tried to find the harmony of Buddhism and NeoCunfucianism, and tried to maintain their position in Joseon society. The thought of Reverend Bou (普雨), who lead the Joseon Buddhism in middle 16th century, and the thought of Reverend Hyujeong (休靜), who lead the Joseon Buddhism in late 16th century and will make most important impact afterwards, were deeply connected with the thought of Mengshan's. I researched Mengshan's works generally in this thesis. I hope more detailed analyze of Mengshan's works will be followed. And then we can understand the Joseon Buddhism in 16th century more profoundly.