이 논문은 고종의 親父로 고종을 대신하여 1864년부터 1873년까지 조선을 통치하였고, 1882년 임오군란과 1894년 갑오개혁 이후 일시 집권하였던 흥선대원군 이하응의 불교 후원 양상과 그 정치적 의미를 살핀 것이다. 흥선대원군은 집권 이전부터 용궁사를 중창하여 원찰로 삼았고, 고종이 즉위하자 그 보답으로 보덕사를 크게 세운 인물이다. 또한 쇠퇴했던 흥천사, 화계사, 보광사를 중창하였고, 鐘이나 불화를 시주하거나 편액과 주련을 써서 제공하는 등 다양한 방법으로 불교를 후원하였다. 그는 만동묘와 서원을 철폐하고 천주교에 대한 대대적 박해를 하였지만, 유독 불교에 대해서만은 호의적인 입장을 시종 견지하였다. 흥선대원군의 일상 소지 물품이 그려져 있는 2점의 초상화에는 모두 염주가 그려져 있다. 또 그가 사용했던 인장 가운데는 “불교를 즐겨 좇았다”거나 “술이 있으면 신선을 배우고, 술이 없으면 부처를 배우리라”는 글귀가 새겨져 있다. 대원군은 일상에서 항상 불교를 가까이 했던 것이다. 흥선대원군은 개인적으로 불교에 호감을 가진데 그치지 않고, 불교를 정치적으로도 이용하였다. 흥선대원군의 불교 후원은 몇 가지 주요한 특징을 가지고 있다. 첫째, 사찰을 창건하거나 중창할 경우 직접 改名하고 賜額하여 해당 사찰의 권위와 위상을 높여주었다. 둘째, 사찰을 중창할 경우 반드시 복을 비는 염불을 위한 大房을 만들어서 불교 신자들의 결집을 도모하였다. 마지막으로 이렇게 조성된 대방을 중심으로 大王大妃 趙氏와 王大妃 洪氏 및 다수의 尙宮과 같이 정치적 영향력이 있는 여성 불자와 돈독한 유대관계를 형성하였고, 이를 통해 빈약한 정치적 입지를 극복하고 아들 고종의 즉위라는 필생의 염원을 이룰 수 있었던 것이다.
This study examines the patronage of Buddhism and its significance of Heungseon Daewongun Li, Ha-eung, who was the de facto ruler of Joseon from 1864 to 1873. The studies on Heungseon Daewongun’s aspect of confrontation against Catholic and Donghak have been conducted to certain degree; however, the studies on how Heungseon Daewongun received Buddhism are surprisingly nonexistent. Before he came to power, Heungseon Daewongun was already a Buddhist who renovated the temple Yongkungsa. After seizing the power, he established the temple Bodeoksa in repayment for Gojong’s enthronement, and he continuously renovated the temples Heungcheonsa, Hwagyesa, and Bokwangsa and made them as Buddhist sanctuary. He fell from political power in 1873, but his support for Buddhism continued. Instead of giving Buddhist service that costs too much money like establishing a temple, he supported Buddhism by creating Buddhist paintings or bell or writing plaques and carved verse couplet for temples. Daewongun received Buddhism most positively among many trendy ideas at that time. Regarding Confucianism, he carried out the abolishment of andongmyo and memorial halls for Confucianist service. Regarding Catholic, he persecuted it cruelly to the degree of making 8,000 martyrs. For Donghak, he considered it a cult and did not recognize it officially. On the other hand, he did not show any criticizing attitude towards Buddhism. As his seal mentions “I enjoy Buddhism, so I try to seek and learn it,” he was very friendly to Buddhism. The existing portrait of Daewongun shows that he usually carried Buddhist prayer beads. He sought out the peace of mind by turning the beads. Daewongun’s patronage of Buddishm has several main characteristics. First, he renamed and named temples when he newly built or renovated them. Heungseon Daewongun was a master calligrapher who continued the line of Chusa Kim, Jeong-hui and once the most powerful ruler. Heungseon Daewongun’s naming temples and granting name plaques would have played a role in increasing the authority and status of the temples. Second, the core structure of the temples that Daewongun renovated was Dae-bang (大房), a place for prayers for blessing. Daewongun always established Dae-bang building when he renovated a temple, and it was because he preferred Buddhist prayer. Third, he was able to establish a political foundation through Buddhism. He established friendly relationships with women Buddhists such as queen dowager or court ladies, who had political influence, and through such relationships, he was able to accomplish the enthronement of Gojong.