조선후기 제주도의 연등회 설행과 가치

초록

The history of Buddhism in Jeju Island and the performance of the Yeondeunghoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) developed in tandem with the broader trajectory of Korean Buddhist history. Moreover, they provide important clues for understanding and restoring not only Buddhism on Jeju Island but also its traditional culture as a whole. First, the Yeondeunghoe as practiced on Jeju Island can be understood within the transmission and development of East Asian Buddhist history. For example, lantern-hanging structures were commonly found in royal palaces, government offices, and the residences of the ruling elite. At the same time, the festival was closely connected to the beliefs and customs of the subjugated classes. A distinctive feature of the Yeondeunghoe on Jeju Island during the Joseon period was the lighting of lanterns on boats set afloat on the sea at night. In particular, the sight of lanterns illuminated atop oars, along with people of all social strata watching from Unjudang, must have constituted a spectacular scene. Officials who governed Jeju Island at the time described the Yeondeunghoe as an occasion for enjoying an era of peace and prosperity together with the people. Although King Yeongjo and King Jeongjo of the late Joseon period officially defined Buddhism as a heterodox teaching, the Yeondeunghoe was nevertheless utilized as an important ritual device for ensuring the well-being of both the state and the populace. Meanwhile, local officials on Jeju Island enhanced the festive atmosphere by discharging firearms and other pyrotechnic devices during the Yeondeunghoe. This practice represented a distinct aspect of Jeju Buddhism that was not observed in Yeondeunghoe celebrations on the mainland. Furthermore, Jeju Buddhism continuously absorbed new forms of Buddhist culture in different periods through officials and Confucian scholars stationed on the island, as well as Buddhist figures who returned after exile. Sustained interest and effort from both academia and local communities will serve as a foundation for preserving and further developing the Buddhist history and culture of Jeju Island.

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