This research is aim to understand the Buddhist thoughts and belief
druring late Goryeo and early Joseon dynasty by focusing on the
historical background and meaning of the publishment of Mengshan
heshang liudao pushuo 蒙山和尙六道普說 (Venerable Mengshan’s Buddhist
sermon on the Six Gati) in the fifteenth and sixteenth century, Joseon
dynasty.
Mengshan, a Linji Chan 臨濟宗 monk, lived in Hangzhou 杭州 area
during Southern Song and Yuan dynasty. He recited the Flower Garland
Sutra 華嚴經 with his disciples and laymem, and then he held a
non-discrimination Buddhist ritual 無遮大會 to transferred the good
deeds of the sutra recitation. His Pushuo was given at that ritual and
published by his disciples.
Mengshan’s writings including this Liudao pusuo
were transmitted to Goryeo and edited and published during 15th
and 16th century eagerly. Mengshan heshan fawu luele 蒙山和尙法語略錄 was translated in vernacular Korean at Superintendency for Sutra
Publication 刊經都監. However the Liudao pusuo was published by
separate temple of province not by Superintendency for Sutra
Publication, and a few of editions were compiled together with manual
for bestowing food on hungry ghosts 施食儀文 or manual for daily
rituals. The publication of Liudao pusuo in early Joseon period shows
us that the Buddhist Society in Joseon was led by Seon, kept by
depending on rituals such as Suryuljae 水陸齋 (Ritual of Water and
Land), and the local monastery’s publication was prevalent.