East Asian Modern and Contemporary Lay Buddhist Movement: Focused on Prof. Rhi Ki-Young’s Thought

Rhi Ki-Young's Buddhist thought is to gain an insight into the world through the fundamental spirit of Mahāyāna Buddhism and constantly reproduce it in reality. He sees the starting point of Lay Buddhism in Korea as Wonhyo who realized Minjung Buddhism. He also thinks that the origin of Lay Buddhism lies in Jinsokbuli(眞俗不二) based on prajñā(般若), the ideological backbone of Mahāyāna Buddhism. It aims to transcend the limits of the system and realize Buddha Dharma in reality. In addition, it is in the spirit of Mahāyāna Bodhisattva who brought about a great transformation beyond early Buddhism. This allows all thoughts and practices in Mahāyāna Sūtras to lead up to the virtues of bodhisattvas. He insists on building true saṃgha(僧伽) that becomes one through Buddha Dharma, going beyond all sectarian ceremonies. Furthermore, he makes social practice a top priority, as seen from the fact that Rhi Ki-Young founded the Korean Institute for Buddhist Studies regarding Lay Buddhism Movement. He emphasizes that members of society become bodhisattvas and create Buddha Land in every corner of society. Also, his goal is to establish the real Pure Land through Bodhisattvas’ Way. The ultimate goal of Bodhisattva is peace. It is said that it was Wonhyo who wanted to realize peace that would remove the sufferings of the world. In the end, the ultimate aim of Lay Buddhism is to realize the Pure Land in this land where we live. Rhi Ki-Young's Lay Buddhist Movement is in line with East Asian modern and contemporary Lay Buddhist Movement. In order to demonstrate this, this study aims to examine the enlightenment movement of Lay Buddhists and the establishment of lay Buddhist groups or organizations. As for the former, it suggests Chinese Yang Wen-hui, Japanese Inoue Enryō, and Korean Han Yong-Un. As for the latter, representative examples include the Buddhist reform through Taixu's theory of Human Buddhism, Korean Lay Buddhist organizations including Won Buddhism, and Japanese Lay Buddhist organizations including the Newly Young Buddhist Alliance led by Senō Giro(妹尾義郎). Most of all, the Lay Buddhist movement awakens the importance of the role of Lay Bodhisattva in modern society. This is because it is the subject that embodies the virtues of a bodhisattva led by six paramitas. Besides, it needs to go one step further into reality and implement Engaged Buddhism. Mahāyāna Buddhism is the movement of Buddha Dharma, and the key today is Engaged Buddhism. In conclusion, this study has found that Rhi Ki-Young's Lay Buddhist thought can be a way to save us in the face of the crisis of mankind.