사명당 유정의 호국론 - 상소문을 중심으로

초록

It is estimated that more than 10,000 Korean uiseung (righteous monks) jumped to the rescue of their country during the Japanese Invasion of 1592, but only a few of them were recorded by name. In this article, I reviewed Sa Myeongdang's appeals to understand the frame of mind of those monks who came to Korea's rescue country with their spearswords. Sa Myeongdang submitted three sangomun (petitions to the king). Based upon their content, they were classified as theory of national protection and protection of people's livelihoods, theory of current affairs reform, and theory of determination of transcription, respectively, to facilitate understanding of the theory of national prosperity he had developed. Sa Myeongdang has been designated as an ambassador of peace, advocating the end of the war, to the present day. Japan's position was one of reconciliation as it judged that it was impossible to conquer Joseon. Sa Myeongdang strongly insisted on a fight to the death. The Japanese invasion of Korea became a watershed in Buddhism, which was rapidly declining during the Joseon Dynasty. Although it was an era of Buddhist decline, monks participated in the war to counter the national crisis and took the lead in saving the country. Ironically, the value and status of Joseon Buddhism increased during this national crisis ― Joseon was able to overcome the national crisis as a result of their actions, and Buddhism laid the foundation for its rehabilitation as a member of the state. After the 18th century, a national memorial project for uiseung jang was conducted, pioneered by the Buddhist community whose heroic and mystical narratives spread widely during this process. In particular, Sa Myeongdang seems to be portrayed as a figure pursuing a mission of reinforcement or peace, as the achievements of persuading the Japanese general of the truth of Buddhism and ensuring the return of the kidnapped Korean compatriots were highlighted. However, he accurately discerned the greed of Japan's aggression and advocated a desperate struggle against Japan even at the risk of death, not reinforcement and corruption.

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