두 나가(Nāga)와 빔비사라왕 설화 연구 (A Study on the Buddhist Folktale, “Two Nāgas and King Bimbisāra”)

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 불교학연구회
· 수록지 정보 : 불교학연구 / 19권 / 323 ~ 347페이지
· 저자명 : 박청환(정덕)

초록

In Indian folk tradition, nāgas serve as fierce guardians of the
waters and of the abundance that lies beneath the earth. Besides,
nāgas play a positive role in Buddhist accounts. A number of jātaka
stories record the nāgas’ generosity toward the Bodhisattva while
others show their gratitude for receiving religious instruction.
This story of Bimbisāra and the two nāgas is a good example of
how the Mūlasarvāstivādin Vinaya re-organizes the story based on the
Indian folk tradition in which both king and nāga take important
roles.
Regarding the relation between Buddhism and nāga beliefs,
establishing a relation to nāga belief was the primary concern of
Indian religions. In spite of all the patronage of Aśoka and the
glorious accounts of the popularity of Buddhism in Kashmir, the
fact remains that Buddhism had to face a strong opposition in the
country from the established belief in nāga-worship. Nāga beliefs
were quite common in India when Buddhism made its appearance
and that is the reason why the legend of nāgas and their conversion
by the Buddha occur occasionally in the Buddhist texts.
Bimbisāra’s character is described negatively in this story, in
contrast with other texts, where from his first dāna to the Buddha
until the time of his death, a period of thirty-seven years, he does all
in his power to help the new religion. In the beginning of the story,
Bimbisra does not respect the Buddha. The negative description of
Bimbisāra is designed to produce conflict in the story. Furthermore,
this negative description of the king maximizes the dramatic
conflict,
Although the conflict is between the two nāgas and Bimbisāra,
it is noteworthy that the reason for their conflict is the Buddha.
The two ‘orderers of existence’ are presumed to be equal under
the Buddha. It becomes clear that the Buddha intervenes in this
traditional relationship, yet he still keeps his sense of distance.
In this story, the conflict between Bimbisāra and the two nāga
kings is noteworthy because as nāgas are guardians of water and of
abundance, and Bimbisāra represents the highest worldly power
both parties are dependent upon each other.
Another interesting point in this story is that it shows how
Buddhism as a new religious movement, established its relation
to the folk tradition. The Buddha asserts his superiority over other
gods and kingship and while the older deities and kingship continue
to function under the Buddha’s superiority both the nāgas and
Bimbisāra ask for the Buddha’s teaching, and, at the same time,
they are in trouble.
To adapt the story as a Buddhist narrative, the Mūlasarvāstivādins
intervene at almost every stage of the story. Without
directly intervening between them, in other words, and so retaining
the sense of withdrawal, the Buddha behaves as a supreme
guarantor of the cosmic order by resolving the conflict between the
nāgas and Bimbisāra. This clearly shows how Buddhism wants to be
accepted in the Indian folk tradition.

영어초록

In Indian folk tradition, nāgas serve as fierce guardians of the
waters and of the abundance that lies beneath the earth. Besides,
nāgas play a positive role in Buddhist accounts. A number of jātaka
stories record the nāgas’ generosity toward the Bodhisattva while
others show their gratitude for receiving religious instruction.
This story of Bimbisāra and the two nāgas is a good example of
how the Mūlasarvāstivādin Vinaya re-organizes the story based on the
Indian folk tradition in which both king and nāga take important
roles.
Regarding the relation between Buddhism and nāga beliefs,
establishing a relation to nāga belief was the primary concern of
Indian religions. In spite of all the patronage of Aśoka and the
glorious accounts of the popularity of Buddhism in Kashmir, the
fact remains that Buddhism had to face a strong opposition in the
country from the established belief in nāga-worship. Nāga beliefs
were quite common in India when Buddhism made its appearance
and that is the reason why the legend of nāgas and their conversion
by the Buddha occur occasionally in the Buddhist texts.
Bimbisāra’s character is described negatively in this story, in
contrast with other texts, where from his first dāna to the Buddha
until the time of his death, a period of thirty-seven years, he does all
in his power to help the new religion. In the beginning of the story,
Bimbisra does not respect the Buddha. The negative description of
Bimbisāra is designed to produce conflict in the story. Furthermore,
this negative description of the king maximizes the dramatic
conflict,
Although the conflict is between the two nāgas and Bimbisāra,
it is noteworthy that the reason for their conflict is the Buddha.
The two ‘orderers of existence’ are presumed to be equal under
the Buddha. It becomes clear that the Buddha intervenes in this
traditional relationship, yet he still keeps his sense of distance.
In this story, the conflict between Bimbisāra and the two nāga
kings is noteworthy because as nāgas are guardians of water and of
abundance, and Bimbisāra represents the highest worldly power
both parties are dependent upon each other.
Another interesting point in this story is that it shows how
Buddhism as a new religious movement, established its relation
to the folk tradition. The Buddha asserts his superiority over other
gods and kingship and while the older deities and kingship continue
to function under the Buddha’s superiority both the nāgas and
Bimbisāra ask for the Buddha’s teaching, and, at the same time,
they are in trouble.
To adapt the story as a Buddhist narrative, the Mūlasarvāstivādins
intervene at almost every stage of the story. Without
directly intervening between them, in other words, and so retaining
the sense of withdrawal, the Buddha behaves as a supreme
guarantor of the cosmic order by resolving the conflict between the
nāgas and Bimbisāra. This clearly shows how Buddhism wants to be
accepted in the Indian folk tradition.

참고자료

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