Buddhist Philosophy and Politics in Works of Manhae Han Yongun an other thinkers of premodern East Asia
Abstract
This article analyses works of Han Yongun (韓龍雲, 1879-1944) a Korean Buddhist intellectual and nationalist and points out an underlying framework of his thought based on metaphysics of Hwaŏm (ch. Huayan, jp.
Kegon, 華嚴) philosophy. Concepts of interdependence, mutual containment and non-obstruction between phenomena with great admiration of Avataṃsaka-sūtra are deeply interwoven in Han Yongun's literary works and poetry but above all in his proposal for reforms of Korean Buddhism and essays and articles on Korean independence.
Hwaŏm philosophy is a part of common East Asian intellectual heritage. Hence, it influenced philosophers in China and Japan as well.
Therefore this article also analyses important works of several representative counterparts in China and Japan in order to highlight common features of Huayan/Hwaŏm/Kegon philosophy manifested in similar yet different context.