- Finding a path in the era of conflict, from Wonhyo's ‘Hwajaeng (和諍)’
- The sword of God's Word is needed to resolve conflict
Although mankind has enjoyed the most advanced scientific and material civilization in history and capitalism has developed, conflicts between regions, classes, generations, races, and nations are not easing but rather expanding. Due to human beings' endless greed, the world is not escaping from the condition of yeto (穢土, dirty land or secular world).
Not only Korean society but also the entire global village is suffering from the agony of conflict and confrontation, accelerating the loss of humanity. It is a time when we miss the teachings of Wonhyo, who presented reconciliation and co-existence through ‘Hwajaeng (和諍)’ 1400 years ago.
Along with Hwajaeng (和諍), the teaching that Wonhyo transmitted is ‘become a free person who is not bound by anything’, ‘Mueaee Sasang (無碍思想)’.
(Source: Bulgyo Shinmun (http://www.ibulgyo.com) Reporter Lee Seong-su, 2024. 6. 27)
‘Hwajaeng (和諍) Sasang (思想)’ is a Buddhist doctrine that aims to transform all arguments into harmony. ‘Hwajaeng’ is the greatest feature of Korean Buddhism, which can be traced back to the origins of Wonwang and Jajang of Silla, and was systematized by ‘Wonhyo’ around the time of the unification of the Three Kingdoms.
(Source: https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0064858 )
A copy of the portrait of Wonhyo Daesa in the possession of Kosan-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan (Photo = Yonhap News)
Master Wonhyo (AD 617~686), whose secular name is Seol (薛), is one of the prominent monks in Silla. He is famous enough that almost all Koreans know him.
As Master Wonhyo's 'Hwajaeng' thought emphasized, 'develops the utmost impartiality of the Buddha's will, reconciling a hundred different arguments (開佛意之至公, 和百家之異諍).' In other words, Buddhist thought can integrate various ideas such as Confucianism and Taoism. Therefore, just because cultures are different, it is not impossible to have dialogue and integration.Culture (文化) can only prosper (繁榮) through exchange (交流), and we can only know each other through communication (疏通).
(Source: https://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/5395427, Wei Xianlong (喻顯龍), Former Researcher, Institute of Global Civilization Studies, Shanghai University of Foreign Languages, 2020. 08. 17)
When studying Korean history (韓國史), it seems necessary to remember Master Wonhyo, a figure from the Unified Silla period 1400 years ago. His claim 'Hwajaeng (和諍) Sasang (思想)' has great implications for the severe conflicts experienced between factions in today's Republic of Korea, as well as abroad.
Over the years, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam have influenced people worldwide, but conflicts have instead intensified, with the Russia-Ukraine war, the Iran-Israel war, and the US-China trade war deepening (深化).
This is because the doctrines (敎理) of religious perspectives can influence a person's soul (魂), that is, thoughts or emotions, but ultimately, they do not affect human nature (本性), which is rooted in a person's unconscious (無意識).
‘Freud’ divided the human mind into consciousness, preconsciousness, and unconsciousness, and explained the personality structure as id, ego, and superego. The id operates according to instinctual desires (慾望) and the pleasure (快樂) principle, and is completely unconscious (無意識). The ego acts according to the reality principle, connecting the unconscious and the conscious. The superego reflects moral standards and social norms, becoming the main source of unconscious repression.
(Source: Bandi News (https://www.bandinews.com. 2025. 01. 09)
This shows thatthere are limitations (限界) in the teachings (敎理) of each religion (宗敎). To resolve this, it is necessary to have, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, so that it can pierce the marrow (骨髓) and the internal organs (肺腑), the Word of God that reveals the thoughts and intentions in a person's heart (Hebrews 4:12).
Hebrews 4
12. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
By studying the Word of the Bible and practicing it accordingly, one can live a renewed life, when one reaches this level, the Hwajaeng (和諍) Sasang (思想) claimed by Master Wonhyo will be realized, and the kingdom of God (Romans 14:17) where peace and joy permeate people's hearts will be established.
Romans 14
17. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
2025. 7. 13 Chamgil
Comments0