선운사(禪雲寺) 창건과 보은염(報恩鹽)의 유래

Abstract

This article is written to clarify the credibility of the two views about the foundation of Sunun-temple and the origin of a ceremony transferring Boeunyoum. First, there are two views about the foundation of Sunun-temple, one by King Jinhung of Silla, the other by Gumdansunsa. The former view is improbable considering the historical circumstances of the time. Taking the tense relationships with Shilla and Backjae into consideration, it is likely to be made up by descendents that King Jinhung of Silla founded the temple in Backjae where he was hostile. In the case of the latter view, it is highly probable that Gumdansunsa established the temple judging from the historical records that Gumdansunsa used to stay in Gaedae-temple and Sooda-temple. Also, the credibility is reinforced by the related folk tale and the fact that Youmjung(a salt well) where Hwayoum(baked salt) was produced is indicated in the ancient map. And we can assume the possibility that Gumdansunsa and Jingamguksa of Silla could be an identical person through the careful examination of Gumdansunsa. For his ancestors immigrated from Yeomack province into Geumma province near Gochang, and his name Gumdan could be a word borrowed from Korean "black". The origin of Boeunyoum could be traced back to the custom related to Gumdansunsa. Boeunyoum was the ceremony where people dedicated salt to Sunun-temple twice a year, every spring and fall, because it was Gumdansunsa who taught them how to make salt so that they could live a secure life. Hwayoum Liwun-ceremony(a ceremony transferring Boeunyoum) is an indigenous custom which fails to be found at other temples. Above all, this ceremony is sufficient to be considered as the cultural property in that it has the historical value arising from the story of one of the traditional methods of salt production called Hwayoum.