삼척과 울릉지역의 불교전래와 정착과정에 대한 검토

This study discussed when Buddhism was transmitted to and settled in Samcheok and Ulleung. Shilla's culture was transmitted to Samcheok in the 4th~5th Century and Samcheok became a part of Shilla when Isabu was appointed as Siljikgunju in 505, but no literature or Buddhist relics or artifacts have been found. The earliest record about Samcheok assumes that National Priest Beomil, the origin of Gulsanmun, founded Samhwasa Temple, but no remains or relics have been found. Later relics include Heungjeol-ri Temple Site, Samhwasa Temple, Yeungeunsa Temple, and Jisangsa Temple. Artifacts include Brass Status of Bodhisattva from the mid-7th Century and Brass Statue of Tatha-gata, Iron Buddha, and 3-story Stone Pagoda from the 8th Century. They tell us that Buddhism was transmitted to Samcheok at least in the mid-7th Century and Shilla's Buddhism began to settle in the 8th Century and spread in the 9th Century. Therefore, it can be assumed that Buddhism was transmitted or known to some classes in Ulleung before 512 when Isabu was assigned to Ulleungdo. The fact that the people of Ulleung were afraid of lions when they did not exist there shows that they were aware of the lions that serve as the guardian souls in Buddhism. Later relics found in Ulleung include a small brass Buddha that was produced in the inland around the 800s and delivered to Ulleung, so it means that Buddhism settled at that time. Also, the fact that there were temple sites, Buddhist bells, and stone pagodas in the 11th year of King Euijong (1157) means that Buddhism had settled by then. Based on the findings of this study, Buddhism was transmitted to Samcheok and Ulleung at least in the 6th Century and settled and spread from the 8th Century.