인도불교 성지의 개념 정립과 성지순례의 의미 - 성지의 정립에서부터 상월결사 순례까지 - = The Formation of the Concept of Sacred Sites in Indian Buddhism and the Meaning of Pilgrimage : From the Establishment of Sacred Sites to the Sangwol Association(霜月結社) Pilgrimage

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The origins of Buddhist sacred sites can be traced back to early nirvāṇa (涅槃) texts that recorded the Buddha’s passing away. However, these texts seem to have later rearrangements, such as the appearance of Kuśinagara, where the Buddha got his nirvāṇa.
This paper examines from what perspectives the Eight Great Sacred Sites of Indian Buddhism were established and how the original 4 sites were expanded into 8. It also clarifies the crucial role of King Aśoka, the first ruler to unify all of India and the foremost patron of Buddhism, in the process of establishing Buddhist sacred sites. Guided by the eminent monk Upagupta, Aśoka personally undertook pilgrimages to these sites and erected Aśokan pillars as markers of the sacred places. Later, these pillars became key evidence in identifying Buddhist sacred sites during modern archaeological excavations.
Another important figure in relation to Indian Buddhist sacred sites and pilgrimage is the Chinese monk Xuanzang(玄奘). Even before departing from Tang China, Xuanzang vowed to personally visit the Buddha’s relic sites, including the “Heavenly Stairway of Sāṃkāśya” and the “Bodhi Tree(菩提樹) of Buddhagayā.” In particular, his travelogue Great Tang Records on the Western Regions(大唐西域記) and Biography of the Monk Xuanzang(慈恩傳) are invaluable sources for understanding the locations and significance of Indian Buddhist sites, which otherwise had lacked sufficient records. These works played a major role in the rediscovery of Indian Buddhist remains that started in 1896.
Pilgrimage to Indian Buddhist sacred sites has continued alongside archaeological discoveries, carried out by Buddhists from East and Southeast Asia, where Buddhism remains prevalent. In relation to Korean Buddhism, the 2023 Indian pilgrimage of the Sangwol Association(霜月結社) deserves special attention. This was a monumental pilgrimage in which 108 participants walked a total of 1,167 kilometers over 43 days through India’s Buddhist sacred sites.