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

The current academic circles interpret the thought of Jinul, a Seon Priest in Goryo Period, as Seongyugyeomsu (禪敎兼修) and Sagyoipseon (捨敎入禪) and recognize that his teaching has been part of Korean Buddhist practice tradition until present day via Joseon Dynasty. This paper raises an objection to this interpretation. Jinul’s thought can never be regarded as Seongyugyeomsu or Sagyoipseon, and, in fact, has not been inherited in its original form. Rather, it has been changed and accepted according to situations or critical views of each period. This study also attempts to demonstrate that there were various kinds of interpretations through history. For this, I first reviewed how Jinul’s thought was understood in Joseon Dynasty. It divided the era into three periods: the 15th century, the 16-17th centry and the 18th century. Then, it analyzed main figures’ understandings of Beopjipbyeolhaengrok-jeolyobyongipsagi, the core text, by periods. First, it was understood as a content that sublates confrontation between Seon and Gyo and harmonizes them. Second, the modified content is accepted in which Chulshinwhalro(出身活路) cannot be acquired until Gyo is first learned, and then Seon is practiced . Third, it is understood as the content of gradual Seon practice composed of Uiriseon(義理禪) and Gyeokoeseon(格外禪). In conclusion, it can be found that understandings of Jinul’ thought were varied by three periods in theJoseon Era: A period that the harmonization between Seon and Gyo was pursued; a period that the integrative system in which Seon was prioritized was attempted to be established; and a period that the literature interpretation for lectures was emphasized.