Intangible Culture ISSN:2799-3868(Print) 무형문화연구

Almost all religious movements that emerged in the history of Korean new religions are divided into the archetype advocated by the founder and the religious movement aspect of the sect formed through the interpretation of the successors. In the case of Donghak, the starting point of the modern new religion in Korea, there is a distinction between the archetypal movement of Choi, Je-woo (1824~1864) centered on Sangjenim (Hanul-nim) ideology and the realist movement of Cheondogyo that succeeded it. When viewing the Jeungsanist new religious movements from this angle, various new religious movements arise depending on each religious leader's interpretation of the content and way of believing in Kang, Jeungsan (姜甑山, 1871~1909), the archetypal figure, following his death. According to this hermeneutic viewpoint, this study examines the Mugeuk-Do (无極道) of Jo, Jeongsan (趙鼎山, 1895~1958) from the perspective of the archetype and interpretation that appeared in the history of Korean new religious movements. Also, for comparison purposes, this study compares the Bocheongyo doctrinal system of Cha, Gyeong-seok (1880-1936), the largest of the Jeungsan lineage, and had a strong Confucian interpretation. Hereby, I examine how they have different doctrinal characteristics depending on the difference in interpretation, despite their sharing the same archetype. In particular, I overview the interpretation and distinction linked to the Confucian understanding of the Jeungsan ideology of both religious orders.