신라 비구니 僧伽와 都唯那娘 = Silla's Buddhist Nun Sangha and Chief Buddhist Nun (都唯那娘)

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This paper aimed to clarify the process of formation of Buddhist nun Sangha in Silla, the connection between Sangha and Yeongheungsa Temple, and the relationship between Chief Buddhist Nun, an abbot administrator, and ‘A-ni’ based on the previous research.
First, the reason why Yeongheungsa Temple was established around the same time of the construction of Heungnyunsa Temple was attributed to entering the priesthood of Queen Beopheung and Buddhist precepts. It was assumed that becoming a nun which required to receive the precepts from 10 Buddhist monks and nuns was fulfilled after she entered the priesthood. In other words, Queen Beopheung was able to officially become a nun after Yeongheungsa Temple and Heungnyunsa Temple were built in the 5th year of King Jinheung's reign, and government allowed her to enter the priesthood. This was possible with the help of Baekje's Buddhist order with the Silla-Baekje relations from the 5th to 14th year of King Jinheung's reign. In that Queen Jinheung also stayed at Yeongheungsa Temple after she became a nun, Silla's Buddhist nun sangha seemed to be formed and operated with Yeongheungsa Temple as its center. For this reason, Monastery Organization Board was founded in the middle period of Silla.
Secondly, it was confirmed that various records of “A-ni” in the Buddhist texts from the Western Jin to Southern dynasties which influenced Silla's Buddhism indicated a Buddhist nun. In Silla, “A-ni” also refers to a Buddhist nun. Therefore, “chief Buddhist nun and A-ni” in Samguk Sagi means that one chief Buddhist nun was appointed among Buddhist nuns. When Monk Hyerang from Goguryeo became a head abbot of Huengryunsa Temple, namely the chief abbot of state, it is highly likely that chief Buddhist nun took charge of Yeonghugnsa Temple, a representative temple of a Buddhist nun. In this context, it is highly probable that Queen Beopheung was appointed as a chief Buddhist nun at the time because there were only Huengryunsa Temple and Yeonghugnsa Temple as state-run temples in the capital of Silla.