조선후기 평강 보월사의 중창과 화월당 성눌의 활동

A Study on the Reconstruction of Bowolsa Temple in Pyeonggang and the Activities of Hwawol Seongnul in the Late Joseon Dynasty

이 글은 설악산 백담사에 전해오는 목조아미타여래좌상의 제작 장소인 강원도 평강 보월사와 여래좌상의 조성을 주도한 화월 성눌에 대해 연구한 것이다. 평강 보월사의 내력을 기록한 「보월사중수비」(1681)에 따르면, 17세기 후반 운봉 대지가 보월사를 중창하였다. 대지는 보월사를 중창하고 『심성론』을 저술하 였는데, 아마도 보월사를 근거지로 자신의 사상을 펼치고자 하였던 것 같다. 18세기 보월사는 환성대사 지안의 문도들이 경영하였는데, 그 대표적인 인물이 화월 성눌이다. 성눌은 1748년에 보월사에서 불상과 불화의 조성을 주도하고 그 발원문을 썼다. 발원문 내용에 따르면 불상 4위, 보살상 1위, 불화 9부를 조성하여, 삼각산 태고사에 관음보살상과 제석탱을 이안하고, 보개산 안양암에 명부탱과 제석탱을 이안했으며, 보월사 대법당에 삼존상과 상단 후불탱, 중단 삼장탱, 제석탱, 천룡탱을 봉안하고, 보월사의 백련사에 아미타불상, 후불탱, 명부탱을 봉안하였다. 보월사 출신의 완월 궤홍은 안변 석왕사 함월 해원의 법을 이었는데, 함월 해원과 화월 성눌은 환성대사의 법통을 이었다. 이를 통해 평강 보월사와 안변 석왕사가 서로 밀접하게 교류하고 있었음을 알 수 있다. 실제로 화월 성눌은 석왕사에서 간행한 불서의 시주질에 그 법명이 보인다. 궤홍이 1748년의 보월사 불사에 어떤 형식으로 참여하였는지 현존하는 기록이 미비하여 확인되지 않지만, 석왕사와 보월사의 관계로 볼 때, 시주자로 참여하였을 것으로 짐작된다. 보월사는 19세기 후반에 거의 폐사되고, 대법당에 있던 불상 가운데 아미타불상과 약사불상은 강원도 고성 화암사에 봉안되었다가, 아미타불상은 설악산 백담사로 다시 이안되었다. 그리고 석가상은 최근에 서울 봉국사에 봉안되어 있음이 밝혀졌다.

This study explores Bowolsa Temple in Pyeonggang, Gangwon Province, the very site where the wooden Amitabha statue, presently housed in Baekdamsa Temple on Seoraksan Mountain, was originally crafted. Additionally, it delves into the life and contributions of Hwawol Seongnul, the monk who played a pivotal role in the creation of this significant Buddha statue. According to the “Inscription of the Renovation of Bowolsa Temple” (1681), which documents the history of Pyeonggang’s Bowolsa Temple, it was the monk named Unbong Daji who undertook the renovation of the temple in the late 17th century. Unbong Daji not only oversaw the temple’s restoration but also authored “The Theory on the Nature of Mind.” It is probable that he utilized the temple as a central hub to disseminate his philosophical ideas. In the 18th century, Bowolsa Temple was administered by the disciples of Jian, the Great Master Hwanseong. Among these disciples, Hwawol Seongnul emerged as one of the most prominent figures. In 1748, Seongnul spearheaded the creation of Buddhist statues and paintings within Bowolsa Temple and authored the accompanying votive documents. According to the documents, Hwawol Seongnul created four Buddha statues, one bodhisattva statue, and nine Buddhist paintings. Among his notable dedications, he presented an Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue and a painting of Śakra to Taegosa Temple in Samgaksan Mountain. Additionally, he donated paintings depicting the Hell Realm and Śakra to Anyangam Grotto in Bogae Mountain. In the Daewoongjeon Hall of Bowolsa Temple, Seongnul enshrined a Buddhist Triad along with a hanging scroll and paintings of the Three Bodhisattvas, Śakra, and the Eight Legions. Furthermore, he placed the Amitabha statue along with a hanging scroll and a painting of the Hell Realm in the White Lotus Community of Chanting Practice within Bowolsa Temple. Wanwol Gwahong, a monk hailing from Bowolsa Temple, traced his lineage back to Hamwol Haewon, a monk associated with Anbyeon Seokwangsa Temple. Notably, both Hamwol Haewon and Hwawol Seongnul were descendants of the esteemed Great Master Hwanseong. This lineage connection suggests a close relationship between Pyeonggang Bowolsa Temple and Anbyeon Seokwangsa Temple. Interestingly, Hwawol Seongnul’s name is listed among the patrons of Buddhist books published at Seokwangsa Temple, indicating further ties between the two temples. While records regarding Wanwol Gwahong’s involvement in the 1748 Buddhist ceremony at Bowolsa Temple are scarce, given the historical relationship between Seokwangsa and Bowolsa Temples, it is plausible to assume his participation, possibly in a patronage capacity. Bowolsa Temple was on the brink of closure in the late 19th century. The statues of Amitabha and Bhaishajyaguru, formerly housed in the Supreme Hall, were relocated first to Hwaeamsa Temple in Goseong, Gangwon Province, and later to Baekdamsa Temple on Seoraksan Mountain. Recently, the statue of Buddha was rediscovered at Bongguksa Temple in Seoul.