The development of Huayen(華嚴) Study in Early Goryeo Era

This article is a study examining how Huayan(華嚴) Buddhism, which holds an important position in East Asian Buddhism, was developed in the early Goryeo period, focusing on its doctrinal content.In Unified Silla, the mainstay of Huayan was Uisang(義相), but in the late Silla period, various sects began to emerge. In the early 10th century, the southern faction, centered around Hwaeomsa(華嚴寺) Temple, supported Gyeon Hwon(甄萱), while the northern faction, centered around Buseoksa(浮石寺) Temple, supported Wang Geon(王建). These factions showed differences in their doctrines；the southern faction followed Uisang’s Huayan teachings while also incorporating the thoughts of Beopjang(法藏) and Wonhyo(元曉), whereas the northern faction appeared to place more emphasis on Uisang’s teachings.After the founding of Goryeo, the task of integrating the southern and northern factions became a challenge for the Buddhist community. This integration was achieved by Gyeonyeo(均如), who is regarded as the successor of the northern tradition. Gyeonyeo’s Huayan teachings are considered in the custom of Uisang’s doctrines, with the addition of Beopjang’s teachings. He regarded the Avataṃsaka Sūtra(華嚴經) as the supreme transcendental scripture and viewed other sutras as secondary teachings derived from the Avataṃsaka Sūtra, integrating them as parts of it. Furthermore, by doctrinally explaining that all beings of various capacities could enter the Huayan world, he provided the foundation for the mass conversion of the people.After Gyeonyeo, Huayan monks such as Tanmun(坦文), Gyeoleung(決凝), and Nanwon(爛圓) appeared, but the most notable figure in Huayan studies was Uicheon(義天). Uicheon’s thought can be summarized by the idea that one should study both Yogācāra(唯識) and Huayan[性相兼學] and should practice the Lotus Sutra’s meditation methods[敎觀兼修]. In particular, he encouraged the practice of meditation within the Huayan community and established the Cheontae(天台) Order based on the Seon monks, opening a new chapter in the history of Goryeo Buddhism.Public teachings, repentance, and rituals based on the Avataṃsaka Sūtra are acts that concretely manifest the abstract and theoretical Huayan teachings in reality. In Gyeonyeo’s Bohyuhangwonga(普賢行願歌), which was created for the mass conversion, repentance is emphasized, and examples of Huayan rituals and repentance during the Goryeo period are confirmed. Meanwhile, Huayan deity worship spread, and Huayan ceremonies were held several times. Through these beliefs and rituals, both the Huayan faith and Huayan studies were further promoted, which continued through the increased interest in the Avataṃsaka Sūtra in the late Goryeo period.