Inheriting Sino-Korean representative ecumenists Shenhui (670-762), Zongmi (780-841), and Jinul (1158-1210), Bak Hanyeong (1870-1948) sincerely advocated ecumenism between Chan and doctrinal Buddhism and strongly criticized Chan sectarianism. Unlike Korean major Huayan sectarians Uisang (625-702) and Gyunyeo (923-973) who utilized Huayan philosophy to back up their sectarian doctrinal classifications, he used Huayan philosophy to theoretically and doctrinally establish his ecumenism. His contemporary Chan master Baek Yongseong (1864-1940) asserted the superiority of Chan Buddhism to doctrinal Buddhism and of Linji Chan tradition to other Chan traditions. Unlike him, Bak Hanyeong succeeded ecumenism from Korean Buddhism’s major ecumenists such as Wonhyo (617-686), Uicheon (1055-1101), Jinul, Gihwa (1376-1433), and Hyujeong (1520-1604), and advocated ecumenism between Chan and doctrinal Buddhism. Bak Hanyeong also vehemently criticized Chan sectarianism, antinomianism, anti-intellectualism, anti-Chan absolutism, and radical subitism of sudden enlightenment and sudden practice, and argued for ecumenism between Chan and doctrinal Buddhism and moderate soteriology of sudden enlightenment and gradual practice. So, he non-dualistically balanced the two contradictory immanent and transcendental aspects in ethics and enlightenment and the two different traditions of Chan and doctrinal Buddhism.
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Huayan Philosophy: The Theoretical Foundation of Bak Hanyeong’s Ecumenism
3. Zongmi (780-841) and Jinul (1158-1210): Ecumenists between Chan and Huayan Traditions
4. Bak Hanyeong’s Anti-Chan Sectarianism
5. Conclusions: Bak Hanyeong’s Relocation of Shenhui, Zongmi and Jinul
Biography
(0)
(0)