한국 불교계의 마음치유 사업과 종교영역의 재편성

Abstract

Healing has become a social topic of much importance in South Korea as the economic recession has continued since the financial crisis in the late 2000s. Meanwhile, job insecurity has increased, while the job market has become more competitive. As a result, the so-called healing industry has expanded. What is unique is that South Korean Buddhism, a traditional religion, is very active in using alternative psychotherapies combined with Buddhist meditation for mind(mental) healing project. This paper aims to explain the Buddhist project in a broad socio-cultural context, focusing on the background as well as the possible impacts of the project. Firstly, the main infrastructures are listed, South Korean Buddhism has established, to accomplish the mind healing project: education institutions, research institutes, academic societies, certification systems for meditation teachers, etc. Secondly, various factors were mentioned that made South Korean Buddhism focused on the mind-healing business and the possible impacts of such a massive project on the organizational/authority structure as well as the belief community of South Korean Buddhism. Lastly, what the convergence of religion(Buddhism) and psychotherapy implies, is discussed, such as a reducing or expanding role of religion.