| Title |
Sukhavati belief and the Architectural Organization of Korean Buddhist Temples |
| Abstract |
This paper is one of the studies on the interrelation between various sectarian belief of Buddhism and architectural organization of Buddhist temples. Sukhavati belief(i,e,belief on Buddhist Paradise)is based on three Sutras on Paradise, there descripted the detailed figures of Sukhavati. Flatness, light, and majesty are core concepts of these figures. These concepts were realized the architectural views of temples all over the sects in Buddhism. Temple Busok and Temple Bulguk are the typical ones that Sukhavati belief was symbolized as architectural forms. In these temples, architectural organization and elements symbolized the concepts of the western Paradise, 48 wishes of Amitabha, seven majestic treasures, and enjoying Nivrana by nine ranks. In the process of integration of Buddhism of Choseon dynasty, the originality of this sectarian belief was weakened, and the building of Sukhavati belief was intermixed with ones of other sectarian beliefs. But both originality of Sukhavati belief and integration of uni-Buddhism were pursued in the way of 'dispersion' and 'perpendicular intersection' in site planning. Although it was weakend that dogmatic ideas and criteria embodied in early temples, phase of the times and autonomous alteration appeared after late Koryo dynasty. |