This paper inquires into the relationship between Buddhism and
State, focusing on Buddhism and royal authority by studying political
role of Buddhist rituals performed as Royal Ritual in Goryeo dynasty.
Not only Confucian rituals but also Buddhist or Daoist rituals were held
as royal rituals and there was no distinction of their status and authority
as Royal rituals. It is different from “the Ritual Records(Ye-ji)” of Goryeo
History(Goryeosa). Actually, lots of Buddhist rituals were held during
Goryoe dynasty and among them royal rituals required some or all of
following four points: (1) it held in palace-Royal audience hall, Royal
office, and Royal residence- or Jinjeon Temple. (2) King or Royal
preceptor as attorney managed ritual, (3) the rituals were held regularly
on any given day or special aim, (4) all country was participate in
rituals. Ritual for Benevolent Kings(仁王道場), King’s Receiving Bodhisattva
Precepts(菩薩戒), Monks parade holding Prajuāpāramitā-sūtra(經行), Lotus
lantern festival(Yeondeunghoe) and Assembly of Eight Prohibitions
(Palgwanhoe) were typical Royal Buddhist rituals.
These Royal Buddhist ritual had political significances such as (1)
important rituals for authority of State and Royal converged on Buddhist rituals, which played a role for reconfirming and reproducing of King’s
authority, for example Worship of Tae-jo, (2) rule of King was justified
as Bodhisattva’s deed and King had to practice mercy as Bodhisattva,
(3) they contribute to promote community spirit.