The Concept of Filial Piety and Obedience (Hyo-sun) as a Practice-Based Ethical Ideal in Silla Buddhism and Its Contemporary Significance: Focusing on Wonhyo’s Beommang-gyeong Bosalgye Bon Sagi and Taehyeon’s Beommang-gyeong Gojeokgi

This study examines how the Confucian and Buddhist concepts of Hyo(filial piety) and Sun(obedience) have been independently shaped and transformed within their respective philosophical frameworks, and explores their potential application in contemporary ethics and social policy. It first analyzes how the Fanwang jing 梵網經 integrated Confucian filial ethics into the Buddhist disciplinary system in China. It then investigates how this integration was further developed into a practical ethic of Buddhist practice by Silla monks Wonhyo and Taehyeon. Wonhyo expanded the concept of filial piety and obedience beyond familial duty, framing it as a universal practice of precept transmission and observance. Taehyeon deepened this by advocating for transcendent filial piety(Seungui Hyo) and obedience, which emphasizes compassion and equality toward all beings beyond blood relations. Building on these insights, this study proposes that the concept of Hyo-Sun can evolve from a traditional familial ethic into a foundation for social solidarity and communal ethics. To this end, the study presents the “GLOCAL Hyo-Sun Project” as a policy model aligned with UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals(SDG4) for lifelong learning. This research offers academic and social significance by opening new possibilities for reinterpreting East Asian traditional ethics in the modern context and proposing integrated approaches to ethical education, social welfare, and digital ethics practice.