An Analysis of Metaphysical Worldviews in Sasipgujae

doi:10.23058/brcr.2025..15.003

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An Analysis of Metaphysical Worldviews in Sasipgujae 사십구재의 형이상학적 세계관 분석 : 관음시식의 의례 구조와 우주론: GU, Jahyun
구자현; Yonsei University Department of Humanity and Social Medicine

연세대학교 인문사회의학협동과정

30 April 2025. pp. 65-94

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Abstract

본 연구는 사십구재(四十九齋)의 불교 장례 의식에 내재된 형이상학적 세계관을 분석하며, 특히 관음시식(觀音施食)을 핵심 구성 요소로 탐구한다. 인도 불교에서 기원한 시아귀회(施餓鬼會)가 중국의 수륙재(水陸齋)로 발전하고 한국의 사십구재로 이어지는 역사적 과정은 단순한 의례 전달이 아닌 문화적 적응과 종교적 통합의 과정을 보여준다. 관음시식은 사십구재 내에서 사자(死者)의 영혼을 위한 불법과 음식 공양을 통해 극락왕생을 돕는 의례로, 불교의 삼천대천세계(三千大天世界) 우주관을 바탕으로 한다. 영혼 부름(唱魂), 증명(證明), 시식(施食), 장엄(莊嚴)의 네 단계로 구성된 관음시식 의례는 불교의 업(業)과 윤회(輪廻) 개념을 구체화하며, 관음보살을 죽음 이후의 구원자로 위치시킨다. 이러한 의례적 실천은 한국인의 사후관과 조상 관계에 계속해서 영향을 미치고 있으며, 물질세계를 넘어선 존재 이해의 틀을 제공한다. 본 연구는 한국 불교 장례 의식의 형이상학적 세계관을 통해 인도 종교와 한국 문화 전통 간의 복합적 관계를 조명한다.

키워드

형이상학적 세계관

사십구재

시식

관음시식

수륙재

This study examines the metaphysical worldviews embedded in Sasipgujae, a Korean Buddhist funeral ritual actively performed in contemporary temples, with particular focus on Gwaneumsisik as its core component. Religious rituals reflect the cultural circumstances of their participants while encapsulating specific worldviews. In Buddhism, the cognition of one's existence means understanding the fundamental principles of the universe, explicated through dependent origination, which has shaped Buddhist views on life and death, particularly karma and saṃsāra. Through historical and ritual analysis, this research traces how Sasipgujae evolved from Indian Siagwihoe to Chinese Suryukjae before taking its current form in Korea, representing a profound process of cultural adaptation and religious synthesis. As a result of this process, Gwaneumsisik became established as the central belief system within the metaphysical worldview of Sasipgujae, which embodies Korean Buddhism's distinctive approach to death and posthumous salvation while preserving essential doctrinal elements. Its four phases of ritual procedures—calling departed spirits, establishing proof through Avalokiteśvara, offering spiritual sustenance, and facilitating transformation—manifests abstract Buddhist concepts within the cosmic framework of the three thousand great galaxies of worlds (三千大天世界). The central role of Avalokiteśvara as soul-guiding Bodhisattva highlights the distinctive Pure Land characteristics of Korean Buddhism, creating a bridge between doctrinal Buddhism and practitioners' practical needs. This research demonstrates that these rituals remain vital expressions of cultural identity and religious meaning, continuing to shape Korean perspectives on death, the afterlife, and ancestral relationships. By analyzing these practices through historical and philosophical lenses, we develop a deeper understanding of how Buddhism has influenced Korean thanatological perspectives and how these perspectives continue to evolve in response to contemporary needs. This interdisciplinary approach contributes to the studies of religious rituals and the dynamic nature of cultural transmission across religious traditions.

Keywords

Metaphysical Worldviews

Sasipgujae

Sisik

Gwaneumsisik

Suryukjae

References

AKBh:Abhidharmakoṣabhāṣya, ed. Pradhan, Patna, K.p. Jayaswal Research Institute, 1967.
Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/)
『佛說救拔焰口餓鬼陀羅尼經』
『佛祖統紀』
『朝鮮王朝實錄』 Vol 1,2
『韓國佛敎儀禮資料叢書』 Vol 1,2
Ahn, Jeewon (2005). Goryeo's National Buddhist Ritual and Culture 『고려의 국가 불교의례와 문화』, Seoul: Seoul National University Press.
Ahn, Jinho (1935). Seokmunuibeom 『釋門儀範』, Seoul: Beopryunsa.
Buddhist Studies Research Institute at the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (2014). Buddhist English Intermediate level 2 『불교영어 중급 2』, Seoul: Jogye Order Press.
Choi, Myungchul (2020). “Establishment of Sasipgujae and Succession of Jaecha: Focusing on the Youngnam Area”, The Journal of Buddhist Culture and Art, vol. 15, pp. 169-205.
Cole, William Owen (1991). Moral Issues in Six Religions, London: Heinemann.
Gu, Jahyun (2020). “Kṣitigarbha faith and Ancestor worships reflected in the 49-jae’s thanatology”, Journal of Bojo Jinul and Buddhism, vol. 58, pp. 157-186.
Hong, Teahan (2015). “The Characteristics and Significance of Jingwan-sa Gukhaeng Suryukjae”, The Research of Performance Art and Culture, vol. 30, pp. 169-195.
Hong, Yoonsik (2012). Buddhist culture and folklore 『불교문화와 민속』, Seoul: Dongguk University Press.
Jingwansa Suryuk Presevation Socierty (2012). Jingwansa Gukhaengsuryukdaejae that inherits the tradition of the Joseon Dynasty's Suryukjae 『(조선시대 수륙재의 전통을 계승한) 진관사 국행수륙대재』, Seoul: Jiingwansa.
Kang, Hosun (2010). “Formation and Changes of the Buddhist Rite for the Being of Water and Land (水陸齋) during the Sung and Yuan Dynasty Periods”, The Korean Historical Review, vol. 206, pp. 139-177.
(2013). “A Study on Development of the Buddhist Rite for the Beings of Water and Land (水陸齋) During Goryo Dynasty and Historical Meaning of the National Ritual for the Beings of Water and Land (國行水陸齋) in the Reign of King Gongmin”, Bulgyo-Yongu, vol. 38, pp. 193-226.
(2014). Thema Korea Buddhism 2 『테마(Thema) 한국불교 2』, Seoul: Academy of Buddhist Studies, Dongguk University Press.
Kim, Hosung (2005). “Considerations on the Types of Avalokiteśvara Faith”, The Journal of the Research Institute for Chontae Buddhist Culture, vol. 7, pp. 289-323.
Kim, SungSoon (2021). “The Sufferings, Causal-karma, and Salvation Rituals for Agwi(Hungry Ghosts) on the Buddhist Scriptures”, Won-Buddhist Thought & Religious Culture, vol. 90, pp. 109-142.
Kim, Wolwun (1991). Ilyonguisiksumungi 『日用儀式隨聞記』, Seoul: 中央僧伽大學出版局.
Koo, Meerae (2009). The death of Koreans and the 49jae (四十九齋) 『한국인의 죽음과 사십구재』, Seoul: Minsokwon.
Sasipgujae 『사십구재』(2010). Seoul: Minjoksa.
Life Ritual of Korean Buddhism 『한국불교의 일상의례』(2012). Seoul: Minjoksa.
Kwak, Seongyoung (2015). “The Buddha-nature theory of Kwan-em-si-sik (觀音施食)]”, The Journal of Esoteric Buddhism, vol. 15·16, pp. 190-216.
Lee, Sungwoon (2013). “The review on current Suryukjae (水陸齋) in Korea”, Journal of Seon Studies, vol. 46, pp. 253-285.
10.22253/JKSS.2013.12.36.253
A study on Korean Buddhist Ritual System 『한국불교 의례체계 연구』(2014). Seoul: Unjusa.
Buddhist ritual, Philosophy of Gestures 『불교의례, 그 몸짓의 철학』(2018). Seoul: Jogyejong Pub.
Lee, Yeonkyung (2020). ChilChiljaeui banghyangseong yeongu 『칠칠재의 방향성 연구』, Ph.D. Dissertation. Department of Buddhist Art Culture Graduate School Dongbang Culture University.
National Intangible Heritage Center (2017). Jinkwansa Suryukjae (Water and Land Ceremony of Jinkwansa Temple), Seoul: MInsokwon.
Plantinga, Alvin (1974). God, freedom, and evil, Michigan: William B, Edrdmans Publishing Company.
Shin, Gyootag (1997). “Formation of filial piety in Chinese Buddhism”, The Study of the Eastern Classic, vol. 15, pp. 333-356.
“Buddhist Philosophical Explanation on [Kwan-eum-si-sik; 觀音施食]” (2014) Journal of The Pure Land Buddhism Studies, vol. 22, pp. 87-112.
Sim, Hyoseop (2005). A study on Youngan-jea [靈山齋] in the first term of Choseon Dynasty 『조선전기 영산재 연구』, Ph.D. Dissertation. Department of History Graduate School Dongguk University.
Sim, Sanghyun (2001). Bulgyouishikgakron Ⅵ: Sangjukwongong 『佛敎儀式各論Ⅵ: 常住勸供 (下)』, Seoul: Korea Buddhism Pub.
Takakusu, Junjiro (1894). Buddhist Mahayana texts, Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Yoo, Kwangsuk (2014). Understanding the religious market 『종교시장의 이해』, Seoul: Dasanbooks.

Information

Publisher :불교의례문화연구소
Publisher(Ko) :불교의례문화연구소
Journal Title :Intangible Culture
Journal Title(Ko) :무형문화연구
Volume : 15
Pages :65-94
DOI :https://doi.org/10.23058/brcr.2025..15.003

[1] AKBh:Abhidharmakoṣabhāṣya, ed. Pradhan, Patna, K.p. Jayaswal Research Institute, 1967.

[2] Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/)

[3] 『佛說救拔焰口餓鬼陀羅尼經』

[4] 『佛祖統紀』

[5] 『朝鮮王朝實錄』 Vol 1,2

[6] 『韓國佛敎儀禮資料叢書』 Vol 1,2

[7] Ahn, Jeewon (2005). Goryeo's National Buddhist Ritual and Culture 『고려의 국가 불교의례와 문화』, Seoul: Seoul National University Press.

[8] Ahn, Jinho (1935). Seokmunuibeom 『釋門儀範』, Seoul: Beopryunsa.

[9] Buddhist Studies Research Institute at the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (2014). Buddhist English Intermediate level 2 『불교영어 중급 2』, Seoul: Jogye Order Press.

[10] Choi, Myungchul (2020). “Establishment of Sasipgujae and Succession of Jaecha: Focusing on the Youngnam Area”, The Journal of Buddhist Culture and Art, vol. 15, pp. 169-205.

[11] Cole, William Owen (1991). Moral Issues in Six Religions, London: Heinemann.

[12] Gu, Jahyun (2020). “Kṣitigarbha faith and Ancestor worships reflected in the 49-jae’s thanatology”, Journal of Bojo Jinul and Buddhism, vol. 58, pp. 157-186.

[13] Hong, Teahan (2015). “The Characteristics and Significance of Jingwan-sa Gukhaeng Suryukjae”, The Research of Performance Art and Culture, vol. 30, pp. 169-195.

[14] Hong, Yoonsik (2012). Buddhist culture and folklore 『불교문화와 민속』, Seoul: Dongguk University Press.

[15] Jingwansa Suryuk Presevation Socierty (2012). Jingwansa Gukhaengsuryukdaejae that inherits the tradition of the Joseon Dynasty's Suryukjae 『(조선시대 수륙재의 전통을 계승한) 진관사 국행수륙대재』, Seoul: Jiingwansa.

[16] Kang, Hosun (2010). “Formation and Changes of the Buddhist Rite for the Being of Water and Land (水陸齋) during the Sung and Yuan Dynasty Periods”, The Korean Historical Review, vol. 206, pp. 139-177.

[17] (2013). “A Study on Development of the Buddhist Rite for the Beings of Water and Land (水陸齋) During Goryo Dynasty and Historical Meaning of the National Ritual for the Beings of Water and Land (國行水陸齋) in the Reign of King Gongmin”, Bulgyo-Yongu, vol. 38, pp. 193-226.

[18] (2014). Thema Korea Buddhism 2 『테마(Thema) 한국불교 2』, Seoul: Academy of Buddhist Studies, Dongguk University Press.

[19] Kim, Hosung (2005). “Considerations on the Types of Avalokiteśvara Faith”, The Journal of the Research Institute for Chontae Buddhist Culture, vol. 7, pp. 289-323.

[20] Kim, SungSoon (2021). “The Sufferings, Causal-karma, and Salvation Rituals for Agwi(Hungry Ghosts) on the Buddhist Scriptures”, Won-Buddhist Thought & Religious Culture, vol. 90, pp. 109-142.

[21] Kim, Wolwun (1991). Ilyonguisiksumungi 『日用儀式隨聞記』, Seoul: 中央僧伽大學出版局.

[22] Koo, Meerae (2009). The death of Koreans and the 49jae (四十九齋) 『한국인의 죽음과 사십구재』, Seoul: Minsokwon.

[23] Sasipgujae 『사십구재』(2010). Seoul: Minjoksa.

[24] Life Ritual of Korean Buddhism 『한국불교의 일상의례』(2012). Seoul: Minjoksa.

[25] Kwak, Seongyoung (2015). “The Buddha-nature theory of Kwan-em-si-sik (觀音施食)]”, The Journal of Esoteric Buddhism, vol. 15·16, pp. 190-216.

[26] Lee, Sungwoon (2013). “The review on current Suryukjae (水陸齋) in Korea”, Journal of Seon Studies, vol. 46, pp. 253-285.
10.22253/JKSS.2013.12.36.253

[27] A study on Korean Buddhist Ritual System 『한국불교 의례체계 연구』(2014). Seoul: Unjusa.

[28] Buddhist ritual, Philosophy of Gestures 『불교의례, 그 몸짓의 철학』(2018). Seoul: Jogyejong Pub.

[29] Lee, Yeonkyung (2020). ChilChiljaeui banghyangseong yeongu 『칠칠재의 방향성 연구』, Ph.D. Dissertation. Department of Buddhist Art Culture Graduate School Dongbang Culture University.

[30] National Intangible Heritage Center (2017). Jinkwansa Suryukjae (Water and Land Ceremony of Jinkwansa Temple), Seoul: MInsokwon.

[31] Plantinga, Alvin (1974). God, freedom, and evil, Michigan: William B, Edrdmans Publishing Company.

[32] Shin, Gyootag (1997). “Formation of filial piety in Chinese Buddhism”, The Study of the Eastern Classic, vol. 15, pp. 333-356.

[33] “Buddhist Philosophical Explanation on [Kwan-eum-si-sik; 觀音施食]” (2014) Journal of The Pure Land Buddhism Studies, vol. 22, pp. 87-112.

[34] Sim, Hyoseop (2005). A study on Youngan-jea [靈山齋] in the first term of Choseon Dynasty 『조선전기 영산재 연구』, Ph.D. Dissertation. Department of History Graduate School Dongguk University.

[35] Sim, Sanghyun (2001). Bulgyouishikgakron Ⅵ: Sangjukwongong 『佛敎儀式各論Ⅵ: 常住勸供 (下)』, Seoul: Korea Buddhism Pub.

[36] Takakusu, Junjiro (1894). Buddhist Mahayana texts, Oxford: Clarendon Press.

[37] Yoo, Kwangsuk (2014). Understanding the religious market 『종교시장의 이해』, Seoul: Dasanbooks.

Intangible Culture ISSN:2799-3868(Print) 무형문화연구

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