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Aspects and Characteristics of the Faith in Guardian Deities(神衆) during the Goryeo Dynasty: Focused on the Sinjung-won(神衆院) and Sinjung-doryang(神衆道場)

Sooyoun Kim 1

1이화여자대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the aspects of the faith in the Guardian Deities(神衆) during the Goryeo Dynasty, focusing on Sinjung-won(神衆院, Temple of Guardian Deities) and Sinjung-doryang(神衆道場, Ritual of Guardian Deities), while exploring its characteristics in relation to the worship of Indra(帝釋) and Navagraha(九曜) worship. The Sinjung serves as a protective deity in Buddhism, playing the role of praising the Buddha, safeguarding the Buddha-Dharma, and protecting those who are devoted to Buddhism. The earliest evidence of the faith in Sinjung during the Goryeo Dynasty can be found in the records of the founding of Sinjungwon in the seventh year of King Taejo’s reign (924). It appears that the temple housed such as the Arhats, Brahma(梵天), the Four Heavenly Kings(四天王), and the Eight Dragon Deities(八部衆) as independent deities. The faith in Sinjung is realized through rituals performed at the Sinjung-doryang, where prayers are offered while reciting the names of the Guardian Deities. A total of 39 sessions of Sinjungdoryang were held, with 38 of them occurring in the late Goryeo period, particularly concentrated during the rule of Choi Hang(崔沆). There are four types of Sinjung-doryang: Sinjung-doryang, Cheonbyeong Sinjung-doryang(天兵神衆道場), Hwaeom Sinjung-doryang(華嚴神衆道場), and Cheonbyeong Hwaeom Sinjung-doryang(天兵華嚴神衆道場). In the seventh year of the Taejo dynasty, Soryeong-won was founded along with Ojeoseok-won(外帝釋院, Temple of Indra outside the Palace) and Guyo-dang(九曜堂, Hall of Navagraha). During the concentrated establishment of Sinjung-doryang in Choi Hang’s rule, the king’s activities in Oejeoseok-won and Guyo-dang also appeared. These instances suggest that Indra, Sinjung, and Navagraha were perceived as interrelated forms of worship. Indra has the character of a heavenly deity that guarantees the king’s authority. The king’s visit to Sinjung-won was primarily conducted at the beginning of the year, similar to the rituals of Indra, as a New Year event to pray for the protection and blessings of the king and the state. On the other hand, it seems that Indra was considered to preside over Navagraha at the latest beginning of the military regime. In this way, the establishment of Sinjung-doryang during Choi Hang’s rule and the visits to Oejeoseok-won and Guyo-dang carried the significance of recalling the various sacred deities that King Taejo had relied upon when founding those shrines. It appears to be an effort to overcome the national crisis posed by the Mongol invasions through the worship of Indra, Navagraha, and Sinjung, who protect the nation.

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