근대 불교계의 변화와 奉先寺 주지 洪月初

Change of Modern Buddhism and Hongwolcho(洪月初), who the resident priest of a Buddhist temples in Bongsunsa(奉先寺)

Hongwolcho(洪月初, 1858-1934) is a typical Person of modern Buddhism and who lead rehabilitation of Bongsunsa(奉先寺). He was born in seoul and when he was 15 years old, he became a Buddhist priest in Budoarm(浮圖庵), Chunma Mt. in Angju. After that, he has studied at Kangwon(講院) and Sunwon(禪院) for 17 years. Since he was a commander in chief of Namhan(南漢總攝) in 1892, and came to a commander in chief of Bukhan(北漢總攝) and a chief at Hainsa and Bubjusa. He became the best Buddhist priest. On 1990 by the imperial household s support, Samkak Mt. Sukuksa(守國寺) was built, and has kept up the relationship with the imperial household in particular. On 1902 the top temple, Wonheugsa(元 興寺) of whole country, and a superintendent s office of government authorities(寺 社管理署) controled the all temple has built. Hongwolcho controled temples around Seoul only. Moreover he organized Buddhist research and leaded Buddhism after Wonheugsa s disuse. Then he established Mungjin college, as a principal of Mungjin College, he was conducive to teach to the young Buddhist priest. It has contributed in no way to Buddhism s growth. Hongwolcho has lived under the influence of modern Japanese Buddhism. He recognized underdevelopment of the Korean Buddhism, he didn t fail to notice the spirit of it. He intended to be in order to revival the Korean Buddhism by inducing the progress education of Japan and propagandism. As well, he became the resident priest of a Buddhist temples in Bongsunsa in 1913 then they was prospered. He found Dawungjun(大雄殿), Samsungkak(三聖閣) and made Kangwon clear. At that time, even so many resident priests of big Buddhist temples was the pro-Japanese group Hongwalcho was never that kind of person. He paid special attention to educational business. When Kawoonsa Kangwon was established on 1927, it gave a big help. And at the same time, he presented his whole own land to Bongsunsa in March 1934. Bonsunsa established a foundation according to this endowment to make educational agency. So to speak, He made and managed Bongsunsa Hongbubkangwon(弘法講院). In the end, Hongwolcho was estimated who contributed the development of Buddhism and training the younger generation,