The Faith of Sich’ŏnju in Tonghak/Ch’ŏndogyo and its Method of Practice

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This paper studies the religious practices of Tonghak 東學/Ch’ŏndogyo 天道敎. I first investigate how Ch’oe Cheu experienced Hanŭl (天; Heaven) and became convinced that he had achieved ‘‘endless universal truth’’ (mugŭk taedo 無極大道) through this singular experience.
I further discuss what this vision means for modern religious practitioners. Next, I point out correspondences between his experience and the training practices that Ch’oe created through reflection on his experience. I focus on such practices as sich’ŏnju 侍天主 (serving God) and susim chŏnggi 守心正氣 (preserving the mind and refining ki), which he created as the Tonghak spiritual discipline for training disciples to experience God’s presence and deepen their faith in sich’ŏnju. I also review and evaluate studies published on the practices of Tonghak/Ch’ŏndogyo, using synchronic approaches to compare the principles of those practices with those of other local religions, particularly modern Confucianism and Daoism.
In this way, I identify the characteristics of Tonghak practices. Finally, in order to highlight the hermeneutical evolution of Tonghak/Ch’ŏndogyo, I analyze the consistencies and inconsistencies in belief and practice that emerged as Ch’oe developed his ideas.

참고문헌 (Reference)

1 최수빈, "중국도교의 관점에서 살펴본 동학의 사상과 수행 : 도교 내단(內丹) 및 부주(符呪) 수행과의 연관성을 중심으로" 동학학회 (20) : 333-375, 2010

2 주영채, "이기론 해석과 수심정기(守心正氣) 수양론에 관한 연구" 동학학회 (54) : 147-187, 2020

3 Panikkar, Raimundo, "Tosan chŏnjip 陶山全集[Complete works of Tosan]" 1965

4 Kim Yonghwi, "Tonghak ŭi suyangnon, susim chŏnggi rŭl chungsimŭro[Tonghak practice theory: susim chŏnggi ]" 22 : 163-193, 2005

5 Kim Kyŏngchae, "Suun ŭi sich’ŏnju ch’ehŏm kwa tonghak ŭi sin’gwan[The sich’ŏnju experience of Suun and the concept of God in Tonghak]" 4 : 23-43, 1999

6 Ch’oe Ok, "Kŭnam yugo [Works of Kŭnam]" Asian Culture Press 1979

7 Paek, Mingwan, "Kat’ollik e kwanhan modŭn kŏt paekkwa sajŏn [Everything about Catholics encyclopedia]" Kat’ollik taehakkyo ch’ulp’anbu 2007

8 Yi Tonhwa (Lee Don-hwa), "Innaech’ŏn yoŭi 人乃天要義[Innaech’ŏn digest]" Central Headquarters of Ch’ŏndogyo 1969

9 Eliade, Mircea, "Cosmos and History: The Myth of the Eternal Return" Harper Torchbooks 1954

10 Central Headquarters of Ch’ŏndogyo, "Ch’ŏndogyo kyŏngjŏn [Ch’ŏndogyo scriptures]" Central Headquarters of Ch’ŏndogyo 1997

11 Yi Tonhwa (Lee Don-hwa), "Ch’ŏndogyo changgŏnsa [History of Ch’ŏndogyo’s foundation]" Ch’ŏndogyo chungang chongniwŏn 1933

12 Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich, "Chŏngsin hyŏnsanghak [Phenomenology of Spirit]" Dongsuh Press 2011

13 Yoon, Suk San, "Chondogyo Scripture: Donggyeong Daejeon (Great Scripture of Eastern Learning)" University Press of America 2007