| Description |
[Inscribed in 2009 (4.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]
The Yeongsanjae is performed to help all beings and spirits enter into the world of truth, by worshipping and admiring the Buddha, Buddha’s law and monks. It is the highest and biggest ritual utilized by Korean Buddhists to represent the world of Buddha here and now and is based on the philosophy of the Lotus Sutra. It is also a means for meditation and training.
The order of a Yeongsanjae performance is as follows:
1. Reception Ritual (siryeon): The purpose here is to receive all the saints and spirits of heaven and earth with the guidance of the Soul-Guiding Bodhisattva so that the ritual can be performed in a holy way.
2. Spirit Reception (daeryeong): The masters of the ritual are the spirits, dead and alive, i.e., all people. Dead spirits are invited to the ritual, while those present at the ritual are told why it is being performed and given the directions they should follow, based on the Buddha’s Law. Families of the deceased dedicate food and liquor as an expression of their love and respect for the dead.
3. Cleansing of the Dirt (gwanyok): This is the ritual to cleanse the three karmas of the spirits that have accepted invitation so as to facilitate the achievement of serenity.
4. Donation of Money (Jojeon Jeoman): “Jojeon” means money that can be used in the nether world, and “jeoman” means to endow money with value. The necessity of money is to awaken us to the fact that our life is maintained by material blessings from the outside.
5. Tea Donation (Sinjung Jakbeop): A tea ceremony is dedicated to all the saintly spirits invited with the hope that the ritual will be performed well.
6. Reception of Buddha (Gwaebul Iun): Sakyamuni Buddha, the master of the ritual and who will preach on the Lotus Sutra, and all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are received according to the Law of Buddhism.
7. Dedication of Rice Meal (Sangdan Gwongong): With the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas invited, a rice meal is dedicated. In this ritual, wishes are made that, with the merciful help of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, all beings will obtain happiness and that the light of truth lit by Buddha will shine over the world of suffering.
8. Sermon (Beopmun): A monk in place of Buddha reconfirms the purpose of the ceremony, presenting concrete ways to realize that purpose. The monk delivers a sermon in which the audience is invited to the door of truth.
9. Meal Ritual (Sikdang Jakbeop): This ritual meal is intended not for the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, but for the monks attending the ceremony. However, symbolically, it is for all beings in this universe, and through this service a foundation is laid for becoming a Buddha.
10. Blessing Ritual (Jungdan Gwongong): All of the saintly beings attending the ritual are asked to help ensure a good performance of the ritual. It also asks for blessings on all those present at the ritual.
11. Meal for the Dead Ritual (Sisik): Since the attendees are fortunate to be listening to the words of Buddha and since all rejoice that the dead have all gone to heaven, a happy rather than sorrowful ritual is performed for the departed to celebrate and congratulate themselves on going to heaven.
12. Farewell Ritual (Bongsong & Sodae Baesong): At the opening of the ritual, all beings were politely received with chants, so likewise, they should be given a proper farewell. The farewell is the final step in affecting the deceased’s final destination.
Since Yeongsanjae was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Heritage by the state in 1973, it has been under national protection. In 1987, when the Yeongsanjae Preservation Association was officially established, it started to perform activities to ensure its transmission. The Yeongsanjae has been transmitted by the Taego Order, a Korean Buddhist order. Based at Bongwonsa Temple, the Taego Order maintains the tradition of Buddhist rituals and as such, most of the transmitters are monks of the Taego Order. Currently, Monk Kim In-sik (Buddhist name: Guhae) is the primary Yeongsanjae expert in terms of Buddhist music, following the ranks of Jigwang, Byeokeung, Songam, and Ileung. Assisting Kim are Ma Myeong-chan, Lee Su-gil, Oh Chan-yeong, Lee Byeong-u, Lee Jo-won and Han Hui-ja, who are all trainers in Buddhist music and dance or making the ornamental paper flowers for the ritual. A total of 240 transmitters are leading the Yeongsanjae Preservation Association. Until 2006, Bongwonsa Temple held a Yeongsanjae ritual for the public on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. In order to encourage more people to participate in the ritual, it is now held on Memorial Day, a national holiday which falls on June 6. |
| Social and cultural significance |
The Yeongsanjae is performed to help all beings and spirits enter into the world of truth, by worshipping and admiring the Buddha, Buddha’s law and monks. It is the highest and biggest ritual utilized by Korean Buddhists to represent the world of Buddha here and now and is based on the philosophy of the Lotus Sutra. It is also a means for meditation and training.
Yeongsanjae is an external expression of Buddhist doctrine and philosophy, and a means of practicing self-discipline. Unlike the rituals of the Ching Dynasty, dividing the positions of monks and rituals into two separate facets, those of Korean Buddhism are unified into one so that the performance of rituals is also the practice of self-discipline.
In the artistic sphere, beompae (Buddhist chanting) is considered one of the three elements of traditional Korean vocal music, along with gagok (Korean lyric songs) and pansori (Korean narrative songs). The Buddhist ritual dances and ceremonial adornments help us take pride in being members of the human race.
The essence of Korean Buddhist culture encompassing music, fine arts and plays, Yeongsanjae is a reenactment of Buddha’s delivering the Lotus Sutra on the Vulture Peak in India 2,600 years ago.
In order to promote Korean Buddhist culture around the world, a large number of overseas performances have been held. In 2006, at the 2nd International Festival of Buddhist Music and Ritual held in Tibet House in New Delhi, India, the performance of Yeongsanjae was applauded by the audience, which included the Dalai Lama, who is revered as a living Buddha. Also, in the Korea-China-Japan Committee for the Amicable Exchange of Buddhism, an organization for regular exchanges among the Buddhism sectors of the three countries, all the participants unanimously praised the uniqueness and grandiosity of Yeongsanjae.
Moreover, even in Europe, audiences highly praised the Korean Buddhist ritual when it was first presented in the House of World Cultures in Paris in 2008. Although the performance was conducted without subtitles, an omission which left some room for improvement, the audience was enthralled, with one saying, “It was a fantastic, emotive performance harmonizing sounds, rhythmic movements and colors,” and another adding, “After I had the chance to appreciate Korean Buddhism art on foreign soil, I would now like to visit the nation to understand its essence.” These responses imply that the value of the intangible cultural heritage is widely respected, transcending national and ethnic boundaries.
Yeongsanjae not only attracts interest in Asia including Mongolia and Japan but also draws huge interest from Europe. While Koreans feel proud of the traditional Korean Buddhist culture, such a huge popularity reflects the importance of widely declaring Buddha’s teachings.
As a cultural icon created as an intrinsic part of Korean history, Korean Buddhist culture is a treasure-house of Korean cultural contents which retain the essence of the nation’s culture. Elements symbolizing the consciousness and culture of the Korean people, the wide diversity of Buddhist cultural contents, including Yeongsanjae, food and narrative literature, plays an important role in communicating culturally with other countries and promoting traditional Korean culture around the world. Furthermore, it is being effectively incorporated in cultural programs that lead to a healthier lifestyle, and in creating representative cultural products of Korea. |
| Transmission method |
Since Yeongsanjae was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Heritage by the state in 1973, it has been under national protection. In 1987, when the Yeongsanjae Preservation Association was officially established, it started to perform activities to ensure its transmission. The Yeongsanjae has been transmitted by the Taego Order, a Korean Buddhist order. Based at Bongwonsa Temple, the Taego Order maintains the tradition of Buddhist rituals and as such, most of the transmitters are monks of the Taego Order. Currently, Monk Kim In-sik (Buddhist name: Guhae) is the primary Yeongsanjae expert in terms of Buddhist music, following the ranks of Jigwang, Byeokeung, Songam, and Ileung. Assisting Kim are Ma Myeong-chan, Lee Su-gil, Oh Chan-yeong, Lee Byeong-u, Lee Jo-won and Han Hui-ja, who are all trainers in Buddhist music and dance or making the ornamental paper flowers for the ritual. A total of 240 transmitters are leading the Yeongsanjae Preservation Association. Until 2006, Bongwonsa Temple held a Yeongsanjae ritual for the public on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. In order to encourage more people to participate in the ritual, it is now held on Memorial Day, a national holiday which falls on June 6. |
| Community |
Bongwonsa Temple, Taego Order (located in Seoul)/ Yeongsanjae Preservation Association/ Okcheon Buddhist Music College, Attached to the Yeongsanjae Preservation Association (Dean: Jo Go-dam)
Skill Holder: Kim In-sik
Trainers: Ma Myeong-chan, Lee Su-gil, Oh Chan-yeong, Lee Byeong-u, Lee Jo-won, and Han Hui-ja
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| Type of UNESCO List |
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List |
2009 |
