한국 죽음준비 의례에 대한 검토

Study on Death Preparation Rituals in Korea - Focusing on Bongŭn Temple Saengjeŏnyesuje

This study focus on one of the Buddhist death rituals, Saengjeŏnyesuje, which can be described and treated as a part of so called “death preparation culture” in Korea. It is believed that Saengjeŏnyesuje has been introduced to Korea from China during the Koryŏ dynasty. However, according to historical records, the ritual gained popularity during the Chosŏn dynasty, and was broadly performed among common people, especially in the latter part of Chosŏn. Nowadays, Yesuje is still being performed in many Korean temples. In this paper I mostly focus on Yesuje from Bongŭn Temple in Sŏul. An unique aspect of Saengjeŏnyesuje as death ritual is that individual can perform it while being alive and through this prepare to owns death. It is believed that by performing Yesuje one can not only wash all of the sins committed during lifetime, but also gain merits which will allow to avoid punishment after death. In other words, by performing Yesuje individual gain a new identity which is being maintained even after the ritual is completed and person already returned to daily existence. Moreover, spiritual practice and a confrontation with some transcendental power during the ritual, consolidate the belief that after death ones soul will be reborn in Western Paradise. Therefore, it can be said that Yesuje helps not only to prepare for death, but also overcome it at psychological level.