물질자료와 문헌자료로 본 천흥사 －천흥사 관련 자료에 대한 검토－ = Research on Cheonheungsa Temple Based on Historical Records, Archaeological Sites, and Artifacts ：A Review of Relevant Materials

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This paper investigates the historical significance of Cheonheungsa Temple (天興寺) through a comprehensive review of previous scholarship and recent archaeological discoveries. According to earlier studies, the temple is believed to have been established by King Taejo(太祖) and later reconstructed during the reign of King Hyunjong(顯宗). Key pieces of evidence supporting this view include the remaining temple ruins, excavated artifacts, the Cheon- heungsa Temple Bell, the gilt-bronze statue of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva currently housed at Manilsa Temple(晩日寺), and tomb inscriptions of monks from the Beopsaeng sect(法相宗) who were active during the mid-Goryeo period. These sources collectively indicate that Cheonheungsa Temple held substantial religious significance within both the Beopsaeng sect and the broader national Buddhist context during the Goryeo dynasty.
Nonetheless, the absence of definitive historical records concerning the temple’s foundation or reconstruction presents interpretive challenges, particularly in assessing its connections with the royal family. Based on the casting date of the temple bell, it is plausible that the temple was either established or underwent a major reconstruction between the reigns of Kings Mokjong(穆宗) and Hyunjong. To further elucidate the temple’s historical role and religious status, continued scholarly investigation is required—especially a critical reassessment of key artifacts such as the gilt-bronze Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva statues currently housed at Manilsa Temple in Chonan and at the University of Tokyo(東京大學) in Japan.