고전문헌과 근대 자료에 나타난 의승장 영규대사 인식의 변천 = A Study on the Changing Perceptions of Monk-General Master Yeongkyu in Classical and Modern Sources

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study explores the life and historical significance of Master Yeongkyu, a monk-general during the Japanese Invasion of Korea (1592–1598), through an analysis of various classical texts. By comparing and examining official historical sources such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, Seungjeongwon Diaries, and the National Treasured Mirror, as well as inscriptions like the Stele of Monk-General Giheodang Master Yeongkyu’s Battlefield Achievements, personal writings of literati including Hwang Gyeong-won and Park Ji-won, and local folklore, this research traces the narrative patterns and evolving perceptions of Master Yeongkyu over time. The findings reveal that Master Yeongkyu symbolized the patriotic tradition of Korean Buddhism, embodying religious devotion, military leadership, and scholarly virtue. His reputation and historical standing have undergone significant transformations across different eras. Notably, even Confucian scholars highly praised his loyalty and spirit of sacrifice, establishing him as a prototype of patriotic monks in the postwar period. Moreover, local legends portray him as a folk hero, forming distinct narrative traditions apart from the official records. Through this study, we aim to reconstruct Master Yeongkyu’s historical identity and examine the multilayered perceptions of patriotic monks in the Joseon Dynasty, thereby offering a new perspective for the study of Korean Buddhist history.