Saddharmapuṇḍarika Sutra and the Buddhist Ritual Culture: Focusing on the Meaning of Its Copy Held by the Temple

Sutras and booklets have been handed down in Korean temples whether they have a long history or not, and Saddharmapuṇḍarika Sutra (法華經, The Lotus Sutra) is believed to be the king of Sutras among them. The idea of the five kinds of Buddhist events of Saddharmapuṇḍarika Sutra, that is, keeping, reading, reciting, explaining, copying it, played a role in producing the traditional ritual culture of Buddhism. Through the middle of the 17th century, it developed into a unique intangible culture of Korean Buddhism called Yeongasnjakbeop (靈山作法, the rule of practice for Vulture Peak ritual) and Yeongasnjae (靈山齋, Vulture Peak ritual).The rite of reciting Saddharmapuṇḍarika Sutra for Chilchiljae (七七齋, the weekly ritual for the decesased for seven weeks) and that of offering the ten kings of hell are the heart of Yeongsanjae. The ritual proceeds in the following order; Siryeon(侍輦, the rite of serving a sedan chair) for carrying the spirit, Daeryeong (對靈, the rite of dealing with the soul) of greeting and give a Dharma talk to it, the ceremony of Bathing it, The fake money ceremony for the deceased to repay the debt in after life (造錢儀式), the rite of Sinjungjakbeop (神衆作法, the rule of conduct for the ritual for pantheon) in order to ask protecting Bodhi-mandala, the rite of carrying the Buddhist scroll painting, the rite of Yeongasnjakbeop (靈山作法, the rule of practice for Vulture Peak ritual), the rite of Sikdangjakbeop (食堂作法, the rule of practice for the dining) giving a donation to monks and nuns, the rite of offerings to the netherworld, the rite of Gwaneum sisik (觀音施食, Avalokitesvara banquet) offering sacrifices to spirits, Bongsong (奉送, the rites of farewell). Yeongsanjae is accompanied by a traditional Sori of Beompae (梵唄, the Buddhist music) and the Dancing for the rule of conduct called Sineob gongyang (身業供養, offering with actions of body) The fact that Saddharmapuṇḍarika Sutra is passed down in Korean temples such as Gangseonsa Temple, etc. is meant to hold the five kinds of Buddhist events and to practice the traditional Buddhist culture such as Yeongsanjae, an intangible heritage of the world.