A Brief Study on Ven. Unheo Yongha's Writings

The purpose of this study is to undertake a comprehensive examination of the literary activities of Ven. Unheo Yongha (耘虛龍夏, 1892–1980), who served as an educator, Buddhist leader, translator of scriptures, and independence activist in the context of modern and contemporary Korean Buddhist history. Specifically, the paper aims to analyze the objectives, content, characteristics, modes of circulation, and social impact of his writings. Unheo’s writings consist of eight works, 『An Introductory Text on Buddhism (佛敎讀本)』, 『Basics of An Introductory Text on Buddhism(佛敎讀本抄)』, 『Defatted sesame residueon Buddhism (불교의 깨묵)』, 『Record of Haeinsa Temple (海印寺誌)』, 『Dictionary of Buddhism (佛敎事典)』, 『Jogye Order Essentials (曹溪宗要綱)』, 『History of Buddhism (佛敎通史)』, 『History of the Korean Independence Movement (韓國獨立運動史)』 This study organizes the process of data collection based on primary sources such as the Taksang Diary (卓上日記), Catalogue of Translated Buddhist Scriptures (譯經刊行一覽), and the Chronological Biography of Jacho (自抄年譜), as well as investigations of extant publications. Furthermore, the research undertakes a comparative analysis of the background and objectives of each work, their structural composition and narrative style, as well as their distinctive ideological characteristics. The analysis of Unheo’s writings reveals three principal orientations. First, his works were composed for the compilation of instructional materials intended for monastic education. Second, they were directed toward the popularization of Buddhist doctrine and the promotion of missionary activities. Third, his writings served as a response to the realities of the nation and as an expression of patriotic practice. In particular, his writings embody core ideas such as the philosophy of the Middle Way (中道), a firm conviction in the Buddha-nature, and the practice of Bodhisattva conduct. Moreover, the purpose of Unheo’s literary endeavors was to depart from the classical Chinese-centered Buddhist discourse and to actively employ the vernacular Korean language, thereby realizing the popular dissemination of Buddhist scholastic teachings. 『Jogye Order Essentials (曹溪宗要綱)』 and 『History of Buddhism (佛敎通史)』 contributed significantly, in the post-liberation period, to the consolidation of the identity of the Buddhist order and to the cultivation of personnel for missionary activities. 『History of the Korean Independence Movement(韓國獨立運動史)』 records the participation of Buddhists in the national liberation struggle. This study seeks to complement the limitations of previous studies, which have primarily focused on publication records of translation projects, by systematically illuminating the entirety of Unheo’s literary works. In doing so, it aims to clarify the scholarly significance of his writings in relation to modern and contemporary Korean Buddhism, particularly in the domains of education, propagation, and social engagement.