Abstract:

Previous studies concerning the fifteenth-century vernacular translations of Buddhist texts have focused on those by the Directorate of Sūtra Publication (Kan'gyŏng togam) and its related purposes and significances. Scholars have pointed out that King Sejo (r. 1455–1468) aimed at fortifying his authority by means of such vernacular translations. Others have maintained that Sejo intended to revitalize and popularize Buddhism. However, in considering the genres of the Buddhist texts deliberately chosen for translation, the format and style of the translations, as well as the ruling ideology of the Chosŏn dynasty, namely, "elevating Confucianism and suppressing Buddhism," this paper will present findings that challenge the discourse on the Chosŏn state's relationship to Buddhism. Unlike previously accepted narratives, I argue that the vernacular translations of Buddhist texts were not intended so much to revive or popularize Buddhism as to edify the laity and strengthen the scholastic training of the Buddhist clergy, while at the same time conforming to Confucian social norms and values. In conclusion, the fifteenth-century vernacular translations, including those by the Directorate of Sūtra Publication, were more characteristic of cultural control of Buddhism with the aim of stabilization and integration of society, which is inherently different from the popularization or revival interpretations.

摘要：

以前有关15世纪佛教文字的白话翻译的研究都集中在苏特拉出版局（Kan'gyŏngtogam）的书目及其相关目的和意义上。学者们指出，Sejo国王（r。1455–1468）旨在通过这种白话翻译来强化他的权威。其他人则认为，Sejo旨在振兴和普及佛教。但是，在考虑刻意选择的佛教经文体裁，翻译的格式和风格以及朝鲜王朝的统治思想即“提升儒家思想和抑制佛教思想”的基础上，本文将提出以下发现：挑战关于朝鲜国家与佛教关系的论述。与以前接受的叙述不同，我认为佛教文字的白话翻译并不是为了复兴或普及佛教，而是为了教化俗人和加强对佛教神职人员的学术训练，同时又符合儒家的社会规范和价值观。总而言之，十五世纪的白话翻译，包括苏特拉出版总局的白话翻译，具有佛教文化控制的更多特征，目的是稳定和融合社会，这与普及或复兴的诠释本质上是不同的。