불교 의례에서 꽃과 지화(紙花)의 연원과 상징 = The Origin-Symbolic Meaning of Flowers and Paper-Flowers in Buddhist Rituals

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Religious rituals are held in sacred spaces, with sacred offerings and devout participants, and follow a set format and cyclical pattern. Religious rituals are collective acts where all participants experience the sacred, and their symbolism expresses the ultimate goal of the values pursued by the religion. In Hindu and Buddhist rituals, flowers most concisely embody this symbolism, a fact supported by literary sources.
This paper first examines the lotus, widely used in Indian culture as a symbol of the flower itself, accompanying all rituals. Its origins stem from a cosmological view rooted in Indian mythology. Specifically, it examines the significant significance attached to the lotus not only in Buddhism but also in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Furthermore, it examines the use of various flowers in rituals, not just the lotus. It then explores the symbolic nature of flowers in Hindu mythology and the life of the Buddha. In Hindu tradition, the lotus flower is widely used in astrology, cosmology, and mythology, and holds diverse meanings in various aspects of human life. The god Vishnu is depicted twirling a lotus flower with one hand, representing the universal flow of the universe and creation. In traditional Indian family rituals, flowers are not merely aesthetically valuable; they are also symbols of happiness, prosperity, and fulfillment of life's purpose.
In the life of the Buddha, flowers are used in moments of joy and reverence, as well as moments of sorrow and grief. However, in all instances, reverence for the Buddha remains constant, and the ultimate symbol of reverence is the offering of flowers. The ritual of scattering flowers, with its dynamic visuality, reaches its climax. This use of flowers as a form of reverence continued even after the Buddha's death, establishing them as an important element in Buddhist ritual.
Korean Buddhist rituals have traditionally employed paper flowers, and the documentary evidence for this practice can be found in various sources. Based on this, this study examines the specific uses of paper flowers in Korean Buddhist rituals, thereby exploring the meaning and role they embody.