It has been 40 years since modern research was conducted onthis particular subject. This study was conducted by dividing thetime period in 10 years respectively after 1970’s, based onpublished thesis, articles and translated texts in Korean, relevan...
It has been 40 years since modern research was conducted onthis particular subject. This study was conducted by dividing thetime period in 10 years respectively after 1970’s, based onpublished thesis, articles and translated texts in Korean, relevantto esoteric Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism.
It was after 1960’s, more accurately in 1970’s when there werea few researches done on esoteric Buddhism. In 1980’s, theresearch focused on history of thoughts and ceremonial aspect ofEsoteric Buddhism. However, this required understanding of howEsoteric Buddhism influenced on Buddhism in Korea.
It was in 1990’s, when 2nd generation of research on EsotericBuddhism appeared. Thus, the volume of articles and Ph.D thesisincreased more than in 1980’s. Compared with 1980’s where theresearch focused mainly on the history and ceremony of EsotericBuddhism, the scope of research was largely expanded, where aconcrete research on the mid-Esoteric Buddhism. In particular,there was a systematic research on mantra and iconology, inconnection with art history. Research on Tibetan Buddhism startedin this period.
Since 2000 year, as a number of researches studying onEsoteric/Tibetan Buddhism increased, researches were carried outin many different fields. After the 1st phase of translating Tripitakaof Chinese into Korean was complete, a number of Esoteric Buddhism scriptures were translated. Also, more theologicalapproach was adopted for understanding the philosophy of EsotericBuddhism.
Base on the researches of aforementioned Esoteric/TibetanBuddhism, the following researches can be carried out in future.
Firstly, it needs to establish a practical approach towide-spread the understanding of Esoteric Buddhism. EsotericBuddhism emphasizes practicing asceticism with our physical body,based on the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. Therefore, it isrequired to further research on asceticism methodology which isunique in Esoteric/Tibetan Buddhism.
Secondly, it is required to apply theoretical approach informulating philosophy. Thus, it is necessary to try a theoreticalapproach in establishing a systematic Esoteric Teaching, inconnection with Mahayana Teachings.
Thirdly, it is required to understand the history and thoughtsof Esoteric Buddhism. Also, it needs to restore those that areomitted in the history of Esoteric Buddhism.
Fourthly, it needs to systematically integrate teachings withEsoteric/Tibetan Buddhism, such as iconology, art history,linguistics, Buddhist Medicine, etc.