증산 강일순 생가터의 고증과 종교문화적 의의

Abstract

Jeungsan, Kang Il-Sun is regarded as a divine being, the mighty one, the savior by his devotees. And he is also regarded as a religious genius who initiated new religious movements, as a Korean national religious activist who tried to overcome the hardships and pains of Korean people and as a popular religious activist who tried to liberate the oppressed people by many scholars studying Jeungsan. Furthermore, historians start to increase their interests in the religious organizations following Jeungsan and the philosophical community is also evaluating Jeungsan as one of the main modern thinkers in recent days,Jeongeup, where he was born and spent his youth, is a place where the breath of his life and traces remain. During his adolescence, he witnessed the development, decline, and devastation of the Donghak Peasant Movements in his hometown village. He made a big intention to save the world and people and practiced at Sirubong, a small mountain behind his house. Jeungeup area, centering on the birthplace of Jeungsan, has abundant religious and cultural elements that can be developed into cultural contents.In this respect, it is necessary to check his accurate home location and to maintain and restore it. As stated in this article, 504 address where the sign of The Birthplace of Kang Jeungsan Sangje is hanging and known as his birthplace is not his birthplace. There are a few candidates, but 436 address is the most likely place to be Jeungsans birthplace searched by the testimonies of the main characters and several records.At present, there is no sign of his birthplace in this lot, and no proper management or maintenance was done at all. I think that significant meaning and effect can be expected when we fix or restore and transform it into cultural contents. The first, this place can be a major pilgrimage site for faithful believers. Although there have been visits and pilgrimages to this place from past to now, when systematic maintenance and management are accomplished, it will be possible to develop it as a major religious sanctuary in Korea beyond Jeongup area. The second, synergy effect can be expected by linking religious and cultural contents centered on Donghak contents in Jeongeup area. It is not limited to the sanctuary of specific religious groups, but it has the potential to grow into a cultural heritage or a cultural asset in addition to the local cultural heritage of Jeongeup. In other words, it will be possible to develop cultural contents with popularity and universality beyond the specificity of religion and locality of Jeongeup.